Food

                                 (अन्नमय कोश, Human body is a byproduct of food) 

What we eat plays a big role in determining our health. All matters consist of all five elements which are manifestations of consciousness . As we eat we take into ourselves the subtle influence attached to the food, Prana, as well as the physical form of food. Food builds and supports the body, improves complexion and general appearance. Harmful combination of food may cause problems on consumption, it may even cause disease. create heaviness in body, and at times may even cause death.

  "FOOD IS THE ONLY CAUSE OF CREATION, PRESERVATION AND DESTRUCTION."

Hence food is all in all. It is life itself. It is God.

                                                       "अन्न ब्रह्म"

. To make sensible food choices for optimum health, it is important to arm oneself with some general information about nutrition and health. A nutritious and balanced diet  is indispensable for vital functions of the body, including the wear and tear, an energetic lifestyle and for protection against common diseases.

It is important to know what to eat. It is also important to know when to eat and the qualities of what is consumed. Only than one can enjoy all the benefits of that food has to offer.

 Introduction

"What so ever creature are contained by the earth, truly, all of them are born from food. like wise by food and food alone they remain alive, moreover they return into it in the end. Surely, food is the first and preeminent among all that is created, hence is regarded as  the medicament of  all."

The food and drinks whose color and smell, taste and touch are pleasing to the senses are conductive to health and if taken in accordance  with the rules , represents the very life of living beings. If consumed in a proper manner, they promote physical strength  and mental health.

Food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for an organism. Food is usually of plant, animal or fungal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals. All food articles are addressed as Anna  'अन्न '

One who always records to desirable food and regimen will never be affected by diseases. One should take a wholesome diet. If a person suffering from any disease follows strictly the regulation of diet he may not require medicines. But if he does not follow the regulation of diet , medicine may be fruitless. Therefore it is necessary to follow diet in health as well as disease.

Every food substance has a peculiar physiological properties. Food substance can be good bad or neutral to the body.This depends on the innate properties of foods, individual body constitution, season and local conditions of climate and habitat.

Seven Tissues (Sapta Dhatus)

Seven elementary substances called tissues (dhatus) make the body. Different foods are supposed to a affect the various tissues in specific ways.

Constitutional Tendencies (Tridoshas or three doshas)

The three doshas are constitutional tendencies in the body. Each of the doshas are prone to vitiation (sharp increase or decrease) in the body because of food (Aahar)  or certain activities.(Vihar). Vitiation of doshas causes characteristic disorders and diseases. 

Foods have dominant tastes such as sweet, bitter, pungent, sour, salty and astringent the affects physiology. Foods with dominant sweet taste are wholesome and nutritious to the body. Salty astringent and pungent taste taste causes more specific effects. They are necessary for the body in some measures but harmful when taken in excess.

Effect of food over mind

One of the unique findings is that the quality of mind  is affected vastly by the nature of food we eat. Satavic, Rajsic and tamsic  are three qualities of mind and of the food as well.Food of satvic nature will boost up the Satvic (gentle) nature of mind, and same in the case of rajsic and tamsik nature of food. Those taking vegetarian diet in its natural form like fruit milk and honey are generally of satvik nature.A satvik diet brings about purity and calmness to the mind and is soothing and nourishing. It promotes cheerfulness, serenity and mental clarity, and helps to maintain mental poise and nervous equilibrium throughout the day. 

Those taking non-vegetarian diet are of rasjsik nature (aggressive and arrogant). Rajsic food over stimulate the body and mind. It causes physical and mental stress, and encourages nervous and circulatory disorders. They destroy the mind body balance that is essential for happiness.

Those eating unhygienic,contaminated, non nutritious, those who over eat and consume ill preserved food. Addiction such as alcohol consumption are of Tamasika nature.(ignorant and wayward). A tamsic diet benefits  neither body nor mind. It makes a person dull and lazy, lacking in high ideals, purpose and motivation. Such individuals tends to suffer from chronic ailments and depression.

According to Ayurveda

To attain health, Ayurveda suggest 3 basic formula:

Hitabhuk : Wholesome to one's constitution.

Mitabhuk :Wholesome quantity.

Ritubhuk : Wholesome to the season.

Wholesome is that  which is not harmful to the paths (of the body) and is according to the liking.One which is harmful to the path and disliked is certainly not at all desirable. The word 'Pathya' is derived from the word "Patha", which means roads or bodily channels and the method adopted in maintaining the integrity of the body channels or "Srotras" is called Pathya. Following the Pathya ensures happiness to body and mind.

i.e. Even though the cooked rice is Pathya, it should not be taken in excess quantity as it may cause  indigestion and thus become a cause for other disease, 

Similarly in case for a poison  which damages one's life when it is taken without applying proper intelligence. But the same poison can become ambrosia (rejuvenator) when it is taken in a proper dose, using one's intelligence.

Smooth & Oily Food -  Diet must contain adequate amounts of ghee and oil. Fearing heart disease, blood pressure and obesity, people avoid ghee and other oils  which does more harm than good.Ghee is clarified butter. Ghee and oil not only enrich the taste but also softens the food  and hasten digestion, strengthen the body, sharpens the senses, improves complexion transport Vayu and aid in smooth elimination of waste. They lubricate the joints reducing wear and tear due to friction. Now a days popularity of refined oil has increased, and susceptibility to joint disorders is also increased. Hence it is essential to have ghee and oil in there natural state.

Fresh and warm food- Food should always be freshly prepared and eaten warm, As it is nourishing, tasty and easy to digest and regulates Vayu. Cold and stale food is Tamsik and has no value.

Appearance - The colour, aroma and taste of food creates a desire to eat and stimulates the digestive juices. Hence attention must be paid to its appearance and presentation..

Place of eating - The place where the food is taken should be clean, pleasant and peaceful. Eating should be treated as  a sacred activity and hence must be performed with the same kind of earnestness and concentration. Eating while watching T.V or talking should be avoided. Dirty, noisy or disorganized surroundings may disturb the peace of mind which adversely affects not onlythe appetite, but also the entire digestion process.

Mantal state - Eating when angry, jealous, tense, nervous, scared etc. prevents one from enjoying food. The secreation of digestive juices is also hampered.Hence , discussing, watching, reading or thinking about disturbing things while eating should be avoided.

Timings  - For smooth and complete digestion, it is of vital importance that food be eaten only at the appropriate and regular hour.A few things must be kept in mind to have good digestion.. Food should not be taken in :

• Absence of hunger.
• Before the complete digestion of last meal.
• Any food takes three hours for digestion fully.
• Feeling of heaviness in the heart or stomach.
• Before waste elimination- expulsion of gas, urine or stool.
• Food to be eaten between 11 A.M TO 2 P.M, as it is the period of Pitta increase. So the digestion takes place quickly.
• Not to consume too hot too cold or dry food; stale food disturbs the digestion.
• Neither less nor more food to be consumed.If less is consumed the enzyme attack the nearby rasa. If more is consumed, there may not be space for movement. The food remains undigested and the body becomes lethargic and gurgling may start.
• Quantity of food to be-To obtain maximum nutrition food should be taken in appropriate quantity.Half of stomach capacity is to be filled with food, one quarter for liquids and the other quarter- empty space for wind (Vayu).If the stomach is packed to the capacity, digestion is hindered disrupting the entire process of food absorption and assimilation.. To maintain good health appropriate quantity of food assumes a great importance.
• If after a meal, hunger is satisfied, heaviness in the chest region and stomach is absent and no difficulty in standing, sitting, sleeping, laughing, walking, breathing, talking etc. is experienced, than it means the food is taken in appropriate quantity.
• When deciding the quantity of food to be taken, the nature of one's digestive capacity and the digestive nature of food is to be kept in mind. Overeating may be harmful. so eating anything in excess including light foods to be avoided.
• Inadequate quantity of food leads to weakness and dissatisfaction, while overeating will lead to aversion of food., heaviness in the stomach and chest region, obesity, indigestion etc.
• Hence food is to be taken only when hunger is felt keeping in mind the digestive capacity  and nature of food.
• Masticate the food properly, biting it 32 times, so that the saliva joins the food and the digestion starts from the mouth. itself. Saliva digests food into Rasa and this rasa protects the seven tissues mainly Ojas.(vitality and glow of skin)
• Suppression of natural urges is harmful.
• Eat neither hastily nor very slowly. Haste makes waste. The saliva cannot join the process of digestion and indigestion occurs resulting in constipation and acidity.
• When hungry one cannot drink water, one has to have food. But if one drinks water one would suffer from 'Jalodar' or dropsy. Water retention in stomach. Likewise one cannot have food when one feels thirsty. If one eats food, one would suffer from 'Gulma'. a disease of clots.
• While having food , one must drink water in small quantities.
• Drinking water before eating weakens digestion and leads to loss of weight.. Drinking water during a meal boosts digestion and increases life span. Water intake after meal immediately is harmful and it increases Kapha, one become obese.
• Water intake before meals weakens the body,, water intake during the meals keeps the body balanced, and water intake after the meals increases fat in the body.
• Therefore to maintain good digestion drinking water during the meal is considered the best. Though one or two sips of water after meals will not make much deference.
• After meal one should remember to clean the teeth with brush.
• All healthy people should have  only two meals a day .One between 11 to 2 PM and evening between 7 P.M to 8 P.M. One who does physical work can have light breakfast. others may have a fruit and salad.
• The dinner should be light, because the digestion power  is slowed down in the night.
• A two hours gap between dinner and sleep is a must.
• In the night one who eats rice and milk would be blessed with long life span. But one who eats rice and curds at night would have reduced life span. 
• Despite being beneficial, normally curd has a tendency to block channels. Hence eating curds at night should be avoided as one has to sleep after dinner.. The digestive process continues at a very slow pace during sleep. Even healthy should avoid eating curd at night. Patient of Asthma, cough, cold arthritis and fever must not eat curds even during the day as these disorders are caused due to the blocking  of the srotas- channels.
• After dinner one has to walk for a while because it promotes digestion. 
• After lunch one should not sleep, but can rest a while.
• One has to eat in moderation. Do a japa of God's name for 100 times. and walk 100 steps. Then sleep by left side because the digestive fire is just above the navel at the left side of stomach..
• At the end of dinner one can have fresh butter milk with rock salt and cumin seeds powder.
• Once a meal is done one should not eat anything till 3 hours for a Yama as the digestion si taking place. Also one should not remain hungry after 2 Yamas - 6 hours.
• During the period of Yama Rasa is produced but if one keeps hungry even after 6 hours he will lose strength.

Fasting  once on the eleventh day of lunar cycle is like a medicine to keep the system pure.

Food is life and death

ween Wholesome and unwholesome diet varies from person to person and is governed by age, body constitution, nature of work and season. Food builds the body, hence it must be consumed sensibly.Greed and ignorance must be set aside and choose what is good.

Wholesome or Satvik

Wholesome food is conductive to health. and well being. A wholesome died  can be described as  one that nourishes tissues of the body, helps restore balance between them when it is disrupted, does not clog the body channels and leads to satisfaction.

1. Cereals -  grains with hard seed coat like red, shali rice, old wheat.
2. Pulses - like green gram
3. Water - boiled or purified, strained, filtered.
4. Salt - rock salt
5. Leafy vegetable - all except mustard leaf.
6. Ghee - out of cow milk
7. Milk - cow milk
8. Tubers - ginger
9. Fruits - Seasonal fruits are good.
10. Oil - Sesame
11. Dry fruit - Dates ,almond etc.

The food that pleases our taste is good for us, but it has to be simple and clean, One should always eat moderately according to the seasons. India experiences three seasonal changes during the year. They are summer, rainy and winter.

Food According to Seasons

We should eat the food traditionally available during the appropriate season. Modern technology makes fruits and vegetables, grains and dairy products from around the world readily available throughout the year. This has eliminated our natural relationship with the season and the food that correspond with them.

One should favor and avoid  specific food depending on the season. During summer, when days are longer and warmer, our bodies need energy from high carbohydrate fruits and vegetables. In the spring when food supplies have traditionally diminished, low fat and low calorie diet and the foods like honey and millet and greens to be included in the everyday meal. In winter, when facing shorter colder days, one should consume a high protein diet. This naturally requires choosing foods according to the season.

Summer Diet

The intense heat during season absorbs all moisture and oil.Temperature shoots up increasing dryness and dullness in the body. The diet should contain light, oily easily digestible cold and liquid food. Milk , butter milk, coconut water vegetables like cucumber, tomatoes, onions, drum stick, banana (unripe) curry, white pumpkin, mint, lemon, pulses like masoor, green gram,fruits like mango, orange , grapes, water melon, musk melon with the warm food is an ideal diet. Prolonged refrigeration and reheating is to be avoided.

Rainy Diet

There is rain and so is increased humidity. This aggravates Vata. Diet during the rains must be  light, fresh, hot  easily absorbed and one that strengthens digestion. Diet should include old grains like wheat, shali rice, corn, cucumber, green gram. Vegetables like ladies finger, green gourd and fruit like apple, banana, pomegranate, mangoes etc.Mangoes and milk are particularly beneficial.

Winter Diet 

This is the best period as far as health is concern. .Hunger is increased in this season and body gets good nourishment. A diet that is greasy, sweet, salty, sour and nutritious is the best during winter.  The food items good for this season are  ghee, butter, oil,  milk, pudding, black gram, honey, sugarcane juice, sweet made up of flour, gooseberry, amla, dry fruits sprouted pulses, bread of wheat, oranges, cauliflower,peas, cabbage, tomatoes, carrot, spinach and fenugreek leaves etc. Dry ginger, warm water and hot foods are good for this season.

Unwholesome Food

Unwholesome food will generate disease. They may even cause food poisoning which may turn fatal. From this prospective it can be concluded that food is life and death.

Mustard leaf is an unwholesome food. 

Why are mustard greens bad for you?

Mustard greens are generally very safe to eat. However, as they're high in vitamin K and contain oxalates, large amounts may trigger side effects in individuals who take blood thinners or have a high risk of oxalate-type kidney stones

Disease are of two types : caused by over consumption of  and caused by insufficient consumption. Excess food causes additive diseases and insufficient food causes reductive diseases. Accordingly treatment is also two folds addition and reduction. Reduction in additive diseases and addition in reductive diseases.

Unfavorable combinations of food articles: May lead to disease like leprosy, leucoderma, blindness,acidity, fever,thyroid problems, epilepsy boils etc.

• Milk  - with curds, salt, radish, garlic, lemon, banana, pomegranate,, goose berry, black gram etc.
• Curds with - milk pudding and hot foods.
• Honey with - Ghee, radish, warm milk,warm meals, cucumber, ground nut.
• Cold water with - Ghee, oil, warm milk, warm things, water melons, cucumber and ground nuts.
• Water melon - Cold water and mint.
• Rice with vinegar
• Black gram - radish,animal meat.
• Banana with butter milk
• Milk with -Khichadi.
• Do not reheat the food once it gets cold.This would lead to disease.

Malnutrition is a form of reductive diseases and here supply of nutrients is the remedy. But the body may not receive the supplied nutrients as the body has its own mechanism of reception of nutrients. If the mechanism regarding a particular nutrient is defective, the nutrient will not be accepted by the body even if there is defect of the  nutrient and there is real want of it. Hence in iron deficiency anemia, just supplying soluble form of iron will not suffice. The mechanism of iron accepting system is to be mended first. Hence  the condition of gut has to be mended first before supplementing iron.

There are three modalities of  treatment. They are medicine, food and activities. Food is also used as medicine. The activities are also medicated. The water for bathing is medicated with drugs, the place of stay is fumigated with drugs.

Let your food be your medicine

But there is a basic difference between food and medicine. All medicine s cannot be consumed as food, food alone could not be utilized as medicine too. Medicines are more potent than food. Food material are of week potency. They are more amicable. Medicines perform interventions with physiology. Food goes with physiology.

In India we have customarily  mixed medicine with food to gain better utilization of food by enhancing digestion and absorption. Al the spices that are used in food like black pepper, ginger, cumin and coriander are Ayurvedic medicine. So Indian cuisine is a real pharmacy. On the other hand Ayurvedic pharmacy  is a kitchen. All the unit operations like size reduction heat transfer, water treatment etc. are practiced in the kitchen too. There is even the notion of kitchen medicine. Before running to  the doctor, an average Indian housewife, checks her drug store in kitchen.

Quantity of food

The ideal quantity of food :

Half the food, double the drinks,

Tripple the excecises, four told the laughter.

One has to eat half the capacity of stomach with enough of fluids. Then the digestion will be perfect. Today the people do not practice discretion in the amount of food they take. Food these days is so spicy and savoury that the temptation to eat more and just as little more cannot be easily resisted. Excessive amount of food is a burden on  the digestive system and disrupt the process of digestion. Overeating spoils the blood composition and less eating leads to emaciation, one has to remember- To keep healthy one 

Lack of exercise

Modern industrialization has set man against all kinds of physical exertion. Intellectuals leading sedentary lifestyle enjoys great prestige in society. The importance of physical exercise has salutary benefits to the body . Physical exercise speeds up  the circulation of blood,enhances digestive power , increases perspiration, and helps to remove poisons from the body.

Irregular Lifestyle

Modern man is constantly under pressure of business and thus has irregular lifestyle like taking food, drinks and rest as  and when he finds time.  The biological rhythm is consequently disrupted and toxic waste increases the body inviting various diseases.

Good health is inevitable  if one gives up harmful habits and erroneous ways of life and adopts a proper lifestyle. These days people accord high priority to sensual pleasures and therefore becomes easy  preys to objectionable and harmful habits such as addiction to tobacco, alcohol and drugs. These dangerous habit promote the formation and accumulation of  toxic substances in the body  and invite dreadful diseases like cancer by keeping the mouth stuffed with betal leaves laced with tobacco.

Tea. Coffee and Cocoa

These beverages do not posses any nutritive value. These are called stimulants. 

Tea contains tannin which is a harmful substance. 

Coffee contains caffeine which is also a harmful substance.

Cocoa Chocolates are prepared by this seed. These seeds contain 'Alkaloid' a harmful substance.

If these beverages are taken in large quantities they cause constipation,insomnia nervous tension, quickened breathing and other internal disorders. Coffee increases the proportion of fats in the blood.If this condition persists for long time the fat gets deposited on the walls of the blood vessels which get hardened and constricted. gradually the blood pressure rises, the heart is over burdened and the risk of heart attack increases. Therefore not much than two cups of coffee or tea  should be taken in a day.

Alcoholic Drinks

All alcoholic drinks are regarded as vitamin robbers. They steal and destroy  the nutrients of the system.They weaken the individual physically and mentally. Hard liquors are very harmful. They have deleterious effects on the nerves and heart. They effect on digestive system  is extremely bad.Alcohol blunts hunger, causes irritation and  swelling of the lining of the stomach and impairs the function of the liver. So one must avoid  these drinks  and never offer them in parties.

Smoking

 All packets of cigarettes bear the warning that cigarette smoking is injurious to health. In spite of this  warning, not only ill literate but literate find it impossible to give up smoking.Once they have formed the habit, they become slaves of habit.

There is a direct relation between smoking and heart disease.

Tobacco contains nicotine which is explicitly described in medical dictionaries as a powerful and active poison.. Smoking introduces poison as well as  the highly poisonous gas  carbon monoxide into the lungs.Nicotine causes increased secretion of adrenaline and non adrenaline  into the blood stream.Which results in higher proportion of fats in blood.So smoking accelerates the process of hardening of the blood vessels.The arteries providing nutrients to the heart muscles also becomes congested, harden and brittle with consequences ranging from palpitations and hypertension to angina pectoralis,heart attack and also cancers.

Indiscriminate use of medicine

It is a cause of concern today that people depend on drugs as if they are modern panacea for all elements. A large number of medicine are toxic in nature and their use results  in the accumulation of poisons in the body. Attempts to destroy germs by the use  of antibiotics do not remove the cause of the disease.They may harm the cells of the body  and weaken the vital force..

Pain killers disturb the water balance in the body  and disturb the digestion power and cause acidity. The main problem with the Allopathic medication is that proper diet is not prescribed with the medication.. Hence the body becomes weak using its vital force.

The following disorders are found in the person.

• One becomes fearful and tense
• Get headache
• Feels weak
• Suffers sleeplessness May develop sinusitis.
• May develop burning sensation in the body parts
• Feel tingling sensation in the limbs.
• Constipation,
• Bitter sensation in mouth

Hence one has to try nature cure like exercises, fasts, juice diet etc.rather than going for medicine.

 

Processed Foods

Processed foods also posed a great danger. Their flavor, colour and taste attracts children very much.Junk food contains high salt and fat.Obesity is on rise on developed countries.. The deciding factor is relationship between food intake and total energy expenditure which is neglected. Children now a days are consuming a great amount of chocolates.Fried fast foods, cakes, ice creams and carbonated drinks.They are high in salt, sugar and fats. Low in vitamins and mineral content and on the top of it  they spend lesser time on physical activities,sports and games.They spend time watching television and playing video games,making them into couch potatoes.

Food Combinations

All foods are not compatible. Certain foods when eaten or cooked together can disturb the normal function of the digestive fire (agni), and promote the accumulation of toxins (Ama) in the body. Various factors such as  taste, qualities,  and energies of certain foods as well as how long they take to digest, affect how well certain foods will combine. Heavy foods such as whole grains, dairy and starches do not combine well with light foods such as fruits, which gets digested quicker.

Another example when sour and acidic foods are combined with milk which is sweet and cooling this causes the milk to cuddle and become heavy in the intestine.

 

Modern Concept of Food & Nutrition

Food and nutrition is the basic need of every individual. And it is important to mention the definition of food, nutrition and nutrients in contemporary parlance.

Food : It is substance consumed other then water and drugs for maintaining the health, well-being and vitality. of the individual. Sometimes foods are eaten raw. But most of time , they are eaten after some  culinary processes such as cooking, boiling,  frying, baking etc. After such treatment the food becomes "diet"(meal).

Nutrition : It is that branch of science, which deals with the study of a dynamic process, in which the  consumed food is utilized for nourishing  the body (a process of assimilation of food).

Nutrient : It is a chemical factor (active ingredient) present in food item, which determines the quality of food and in turn the health of the individual. For example, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals are nutrients. Nutrients are grouped into two groups. Macro and Micro nutrients.

Macro-nutrients : They are so called because they are required in large quantities and so they constitute the main bulk of the food. For example, protein fats and carbohydrates are micro-nutrients. There contribution in the food is as follows.

• Proteins 7-15%
• Fats-10-30%
• Carbohydrates -65-80%

Micro-nutrients : They are so called because they are required in small quantities (Varying from micrograms to miligrams) For example, vitamins and minerals.

Dietetics :It is a science that  deals with the study of nutrition in health and disease (i.e planning of meals for the healthy and the sick)

Food Related Disease

These are diseases caused due to defects in the foods consumed. The defects may be deficiency in intake  or excessive consumption of food intoxication or food poisoning. Thus the chief dietetic diseases are

1. Deficiency disease
2. Excess of food consumption
3. Food born intoxication
4. Food poisoning
5. Food born diseases

Food Poisoning

It is an acute inflammatory disease of gastrointestinal track caused by the ingestion of food contaminated with either toxin producing bacteria or by their performed toxins or chemical substances or other poisonous food substances. Clinically it is characterized by short incubation period, pain in abdomen, vomiting or diarrhea, with or without fever. Food poisoning differs from food born diseases in that it is not transmitted by faeco-oral route.It also differs from food intoxication in that there is neither toxic factors in the food grain nor there is contamination of fungus.

Suppression of hunger

Leads to cutting pain in the body, loss of taste, debility, weakness, emaciation, pain in abdomen, giddiness, physical and mental factors.

Quantity of food to be taken

Two parts of the stomach (half of capacity) should be filled with solid food  and one part with liquids and remaining one part  should be kept vacant for aiding digestion.

Action of food articles  is conditioned by the  quality of intake  and the proper quantity  in which food articles are to be taken  is dependent on the  power of digestion, including metabolism of individual.

• Consuming suitable and unsuitable food in equal quantity.
• Consuming large quantity of food even before previous meal is digested.
• Consuming less or more  quantity of food  at improper time.

The above three conditions lead to either death or dreadful diseases.

Selection of food

One should take wholesome food only after careful examination and should not indulge in wholesome food out of greed ignorance, which will lead to misery.

Food should be consumed  at a proper time , and it should be clean, healthy, unctous (snigdha), hot, (ushna), easily digestible and should contain six rasas (taste) One should consume food  with due attention after taking bath, and having good hunger. Start with prayer, sit in solitude, or in company of friends and family.Should eat nether very quick or very slow without abusing the food . Food should be served by those  who are clean and faithful to him or her.

Food for regular usage: Sali rice, Godhuma-wheat, Yava-barley and Sashtika 60 days old rice.

Bad effects of insufficient food

Consuming of insufficient quantity of food does not help in improvement of strength, growth and vigour and it becomes a cause for all diseases of vata origin / debilitating diseases.

Bad effect of Excess Food

Excess quantity of food causes vitiation of  all doshas in a way leading to obesity, diabetes, hypertension, arthritis.

Role of Adjutants

• Generally cold water is ideal after meals.
• Warm water  after having starchy food, whey and buttermilk also can be consumed.
• Sura (wine) is good to make lean persons stout.
• Honey water is good to make stout person lean.
• Milk is best for those who are exhausted, emaciated, aged and for children.

Quantities of an ideal Adjuvant

• It invigorates.
• Gives contentment.
• Helps proper movement of food.
• Stability of the body parts.
• Loosening of hard masses of food.
• Proper liquefaction of food  inside the stomach.
• Aids in proper digestion.

Ideal time for meals

• After elimination of feces and urine.
• Mind is clean / devoid of unwanted emotions.
• Digestive functions are normal.
• When belching is pure without foul smell / taste.
• Good hunger is manifested.
• When flatus is moving downwards easily
• When sense organs are clear/ functioning properly.
• When body is light.

Benefit of good diet / Food

PHYSICAL                              MENTAL

Health                                        Happiness

Longevity                                  Satisfaction

Vitality                                      Intellect

Strength                                    Truthfulness

Complexion                              Celibacy

Clarity

Good Voice

Nourishment

Ideal Diet

• Should increase the strength of the body.
• Should be tasty/ should be linked by the one who is taking it.
• Maintain the body and its functions
• Increases longevity, vitality, memory etc.

Improper dietary habit

Our food today abounds in spicy, fried preparations, cold dishes and sweets. The use of refined, processed and frozen foods is spreading like wild fire. These foods produce large amount of acidic and poisonous end products in the body. Poisons accumulate even faster in the bodies of people who eat meat or large amount of pulses and it is these poisons that are the root of all disorders. The toxins generated by the meat are disagreeable to the human system.It can cause increase in the uric acid level and a disease called gout.

Fasting

The first thing to remove the toxins from the body is to provide 'space' in the body - that is fasting. For a while  not to eat or drink any thing as long as we feel the real hunger. Thus elimination becomes easy.. If a person feels hungry that is the testimony of proper digestion. In this way nature tries to get rid of all impurities through its healing power. 

Planning balanced meals

Breakfast

Rejuvenative Almond Milk  

15 Almond soaked overnight in one cup of water

1 cup milk, 1/2 tsp ground cardamom

Method of preparation

In the morning, drain the water and peel the Almonds. (The skin comes off easily when rubbed with fingers). In a small saucepan, bring milk to boil. Pour hot milk, almonds and cardamom in blender. Blend well.

Commends

This restorative drink is especially useful in fall and winter or after a period of major exertion.

Iron Rich Breakfast Drink

Ingredients

1/4 cup raisins

1/4 cup dried apricot or peaches

1 cup water

1-2 pinches of dry ginger

Method of preparation

Soak raisins and dried fruits overnight in water. Next morning blend soaked fruit and water in blender. If needed garnish it with a pinch of ginger.

Lunch

Basic Warming Khichadi

Ingredients

• 1/2 Cup Basmati rice
• 1/4 Split moong dal
• 6 cups water
• 1 tbsp ghee
• 1 tsf Cumin seed
• 1-2 pinch asafoetida
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 3/4 teaspoon cardamom seeds
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorn
• 1 bay leaf 2 more tbsp ghee 
• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, rock salt if easily available
• 1 teaspoon ginger grated
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1-2 clove garlic
• 1/2 tsf ground cumin
• 2-4 cups fresh vegetables, carrots, greens, beans
• 2 more cup water as needed

Method of Preparation

Wash rice and split moong until the rinse water is clear. Warm the tablespoon of ghee in a medium size saucepan and add the whole cumin seeds and asafotida till they turn light brown. Add rice , moong and water and bring to boil. Cook for about 30 minutes. Warm the remaining 2 teaspoons of ghee in a small skillet. Add coriander, cardamom, peppercorns and bay leaf and saute' for 2-3 minute. Then stir rest of the spices and onion. Put the sauteed spices in a blender with a little  (1/2 cup or less) water and grind well. Pour this spice mixture into rice and moong. Rinse out the blender with 2 cups of water and add to the khichadi as well. Add the vegetables. Allow to cool for 20 minutes or more.

Comments

This Khichadi is good for stimulating digestion and circulation.

Detox Bowl

Buckwheat/ कूटू 

This another take on traditional khichadi using buckwheat.(Fagopyrum esculentum) Kuttu in Hindi. instead of rice and with a few different ingredients. It is warming, cleansing meal that is very simple to make , and because of its balancing properties it is the perfect 'comfort food' during cold season. or if you are feeling a little under the weather. This recipy is tridoshik, meaning it balances all three doshas and is extremly nourishing and easy to digest. Made with soaked moong beans, toasted buckwheat, hearty vegetables and spices, it is the perfect detox meal that is equally healthy and delicious. it is advisable to eat this for lunch because, the biggest meal of the day should be eaten when the sun is at its highest point.

Dinner

Ragi (Finger millets) Chapattis 

Ragi(Nachni)

Ingredients

1/2 cup Ragi flour

1/2 teaspoonful ghee

1/8 cup cold water

Method of Preparation

Add ghee to the Ragi flour and add water. Mix and kneed the dough until a smooth consistency has been achieved. Divide the dough in 5 equal sized balls. Roll the balls in Ragi flour on a well floured surface. Roll the flour to make chapattis. Cook on a hot dry pan for 15 seconds to 1 min or until air bubbles appear on the upper side. A non sticky frying pan works well for this.Turn the chapati and cook for another  15 seconds to 1 min on other side or until the chapati turns light brown.

Consume food in the fresh and hot state if it is cooked one.

                   "All living beings in the universe require food for sustenance of life."

                                         "EAT RIGHT FOOD AT RIGHT TIME."

Digestive fire (Agni)

The transforming unit from 'food' into nutrition is termed as 'AGNI' or digestive fire. Agni transforms food so that nutrients can be optimally utilized. When agni is strong our body fully assimilates nutrients and eliminates what it does not need.

Toxins (Ama) : If the digestive fire is week , the incompletely digested portion of the meal forms a sticky toxic substance  called 'Ama' . Ama blocks the micro channels of the body and settles in the areas of the body that are out of balance, taking on many forms, such as 

• Calcium deposits in joints
• Plagues in arteries
• Cyst and tumors
• A coated tongue
• Bad breath
• Dullness of the senses
• Depression
• Unclear thinking  

can indicate ama.

To prevent Ama from forming

• Drink plenty of warm or room temperature water.
• Do not eat late at night.
• Eat freshly prepared meals
• Cook with seasonal organic fruits and vegetables
• Avoid genetically modified food.
• Strengthen agni by "kindling"it with heating foods and spices such as ginger, black pepper, long pepper
• Take a thin slice of fresh ginger sprinkled lightly with salt half an hour before taking a full meal.

https://madhuchhandacdmo.blogspot.com/2021/04/food.html