Food is one of the basic elements which sustain our lives. Ayurveda mentioned food as the foremost pillar of life that supports the body and food itself is considered as medicine. Nowadays, society is much more health conscious and is attracted to different fitness programs including dieting along with workouts. On the other hand, ‘fooding’ is a celebration without limits, all over the world.
In the current scenario, knowing our food, diet and dietetics uphold the utmost importance for attaining good health with improved immunity. Merely following a diet with nutrient-packed stuff will not serve the purpose unless otherwise, we are concerned about certain factors regarding the nature, quantity, quality etc. of the food with respect to each individual. The uniqueness of each one of us makes it necessary to have personalized diets and dietetics for each one.
“We are what we eat” is a famous quote related to food. But now the ‘WE’ is also determined by ‘How we eat’ and ‘When we eat’. Ayurveda clearly emphasizes the importance of diet and dietetics by mentioning some guidelines which when followed can attain the proper nourishment and conduciveness of health, by both healthy as well as diseased persons.
- Nature of the food- by knowing the property of the food we eat, we can choose the ones which suit us. Light and easily digestible food are wholesome to people with the low digestive capacity and vice versa. Greengram is light in nature and easy to digest, whereas pork meat is heavy to digest.
- Processing of food- methods like cooking, boiling, heating, frying, grinding etc. can change the inherent properties of the substance and can be made more effective when consumed. Eg-cooking rice, grinding wheat grains to powder form etc, transform them to more lighter forms making the metabolism at ease. Soaking pulses in water will enhance their bioavailability.
- Combination- combining or mixing 2 or more substances which results in imbibing new properties to the product either wholesome or can be fatal too. Egtaking ghee and honey together in equal quantity act as poison, and consuming fish with milk is also unwholesome.
- Quantity of food completely depends upon each individual’s constitution and digestive capacity. Food as a whole, as well as the quantity of each ingredient, must be concerned for wholesome dieting. Taking more quantity of heavy foods by a person with poor digestive capacity can lead to indigestion and related issues.
- Habitat- geographic features where the crops are grown or cultivated are to be suitable to the consumer’s constitution, for getting the best results of digestion and nourishment from that food. For eg: food crops cultivated in cold regions will be more conducive and yield the best results when consumed by the people living in the cold regions. Otherwise, it can lead to many other diseases.
- Time of food intake- Ayurveda explains when should one take food and drugs to gain maximum nourishment and benefits to the body. Food is said to be taken when one is really hungry, after the complete digestion of previous meals and according to the season as well as diurnal changes, synchronous to the physical and mental strength of the consumer
- The user- self assessment of the digestive capacity, constitution, health status etc. are very essential for choosing the right food, in the right amount, at the right time for the proper nourishment.
- Dietetic rules- in short, these are the guidelines which are to be followed while taking food, by both diseased as well as healthy persons, for the proper digestion, assimilation and absorption of the nutrients…
☑ Take food hot and fresh
☑ In proper quantity
☑ Eat only when one feels hungry
☑ Avoid taking contradictory foods
☑ Take food in the desired place with desired people and substances
☑ Do not eat very slowly
☑ Do not talk or laugh while taking food, have food with utmost concentration
☑ Self-analysis before taking food
By following these diets and dietetics one can easily personalize their own diet according to their needs. Being our own dietician is the best way to utilize the food to stay fit and healthy. Gradually, by tuning our own lives from our own dining can be a game-changer to keep lifestyle disorders at bay.
