The Ayurveda diet is a type of eating pattern that has been constantly practiced by Ayurveda practitioners for 1000 years. It includes several dietary plans, yoga practices, and the healing process. It is a holistic approach that combines food, herbal medicines, and the body. Ayurvedic diets are the components of Ayurveda that determine the choices of the human food diet according to their doshas.
According to Ayurveda, there should be a proper food selection and meal timing and also the awareness related to that meal. These meals either can increase the Ojas (vitality) or will increase ama ( toxicity).
Here, we have discussed 9 points that should be considered in the Ayurveda dietary plan:-
1) In Ayurveda dietary plan, select your food according to the doshas. Doshas contain Kapha, Vata, and Pitta. According to Ayurveda, everybody has a unique body and mind constitution which is also known as Doshas.
Vata constitutes rough, cool, and dry quality (Air and Space element). Persons with Vata should eat warm foods, full of healthy fats. Kapha consists of heavy, cool, oily and smooth quality( earth and water elements). Persons with Kapha should eat light, warm, dry, and rough foods like vegetables. Pitta consists of hot, oily, light, and sharp qualities ( fire and water elements). People with Pitta should eat cool foods that make internal cooling in the body such as peppermint, cucumber, cilantro, pomegranate, etc.
2) According to the Ayurveda dietary plan, a person should eat till his or her satisfaction, either full or less. Overeating or less eating will affect the body’s weight and will be the reason for production of free radicals.
3) According to the Ayurveda dietary plan, we should consume more green vegetables because green vegetables have phytonutrients which are helpful in the growth of our body. In the Ayurveda language, we should intake Prana foods which are responsible for the generation of health, vitality, and energy.
4) According to the Ayurveda dietary plan, we should include all the six tastes in our meal. Each taste has the combination of energy and physiology advancement.
Six tastes and their benefits: -
Sweet: - Nourishment
Souring:- Purification of the body
Salty: - Balancing
Bitter: - Detoxification in the body
Astringent: - Anti-inflammation
Pungent:- Warms the body
6) In the Ayurveda dietary plan, it is stated that we should consume less Ice Cold Foods, and beverages as it is affecting the digestive system. In Ayurveda, Agni is the digestive power of the human body. It will be steady and slow if we consume more food like this.
7) According to the Ayurveda dietary plan, we should intake herbal teas between meals. Tea is not only an enjoyable drink but it has the power to heal and can aid in restoring health, joy and vitality. It will not affect the Agni ( Digestion power of the body). It is termed as “liquid medicines” too.
8) To the Ayurveda dietary plan, we should consume heavy meals at Lunchtime only. According to Ayurveda. Our body's agni ( digestive power) is strong when the Sun is at its highest. Afternoon time is the best time of the day to intake or to digest food. Also, the most favorable time for sweet and ice cream should be in less amounts.
9) According to the Ayurvedic plan, we should eliminate the distractions while eating. Many times, we have seen people watching T.V, using mobile phones , playing games, etc while eating. This results in the disruptions of Agni and creates dis-satisafction. Meal time is an opportunity to connect with the internal energy and enjoy the flavors of food.
