Ayurveda, the ancient Indian medical science, always at keeping swasthya of person as well as to prevent Vyadhis which are the outcome of improper eating habits, many a times, hence, ayurved has described ‘Aaharvidhividhan’, i.e., proper method of having food or method of eating .It has been given a greater emphasis in ayurveda for healthy life.
Here are some important rules to be followed while having Meals –
· Eat adequate food, so that it includes solid food- one part, liquid (water, soup etc.)- 1 part & one part to be left as avakash, i.e. empty, for proper digestion.
· Food should be ushna ,fresh ,snigdha (with adequate Fats – ghee, oil ) & it should be shadarasayukta ,i.e. Including food having 6 rasas viz. madhur rasa (sweet) Lavana rasa (salty ) ,amla rasa (acidic),katu rasa ( hot tikta rasa ( bitter) & kashaya rasa (astringent ).
· Don’t eat stale food , hot & cold food at a time together ,food having opposite properties e .g .milk with fish , milk with rice & salt ,milkshake , fruit salad ,hot curd ,etc., as these combinations vitiates the doshas in the body & results in digestive disturbances.
· Try to avoid watching TV. Talking, reading, while having food. Have food with proper asana i.e. sitting on the floor (Indian style of bhojana), with calm mind & eat with full attention on food.
· Eat only after the meals taken earlier have been digested.
· Eat the amount of food as per your requirement so that one can easily breathe, sit, walk after meals.
· Follow the usual & fixed timings of breakfast, lunch & dinner.
· Don’t do exercise just after meals.
· Eat food according to the season as per the rutucharya.
Therefore, in Indian culture, it is said that “Udarabharana Nohe Janije Yagdhnyakarma”, means bhojana is not only just eating, but it is like offering aahuti to the yagdhnyakarma for the sharirdharana & jeevana , which would definitely give swasthyaphala to the human being.
Vd. Prajkta Kulkarni,M.D.,Lecturer,TAMV, Pune
