Ayurvedic Nutrition

March 24th, 2007 | admin

Nutrition, as far as our thoughts go, is the ingestion of food that contains certain elements like carbohydrates, fat, proteins, minerals and vitamins necessary for the functioning of our body. When we connect Ayurveda and nutrition – it goes a step deeper. It is not only feeding the body with good food, but also nourishing mind and soul with essential ingredients – good thought, relaxed atmosphere, meditation, etc. In other words, nutrition includes nourishing mind, body and soul with essential nourishments.

Vagbhata, an Ayurvedic practitioner of 7th century puts certain guidelines for proper food. One cannot digest the food he/she takes, if, the food is not served properly and with love, overcooked, cold, dry, consumed with excess water etc. When a person takes food with troubled mind – due to grief, anger or hunger – the food is wasted.

Thus, ayurvedic food or nutrition denotes to taking not only the right food items, but also in a calm environment and with a calm mind.

Foods to avoid are too spicy, too hot, too cold, old, unclean, food. One also should not take food whenever he/she is mentally disturbed.

Not all humans are made alike. There are differences in physical and mental constitution of two persons. A nutritional type appropriate for a person may not be the same for someone else. It is therefore necessary to find individual nutritional requirements. For example, not all persons can quickly digest meat and meat products.

There are food items that can be taken in combinations and food items that cannot. While wine makes good combination with meat, milk and milk products are not suitable to be taken with spicy food.

Though there are specific directions regarding different food items, one needs to identify the combinations that are good for him or her.