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Food
Food is defined as that which is voluntarily degutted and nourishes the tissues of the body. The human body undergoes continuous depletion in order to generate energy needed to perform life activities. The depleted body tissues are supplemented by food. Food has been equated to fuel of sacred fire. Being the source of energy for life food is said as life of living beings. Food attributes the factors needed for a positive way of living.
Food – Human Body And Disease
A man possessing the foregoing attributes of food can maintain positive health. In fact the human body is built by food. The balance among the constituents of human body is designated as health; the imbalance among them is disease.
Attributes Of Food
1. VARNA (Color and complex)
2. PRASADA (Pleasure)
3. SUKHAM (Comfort and Health)
4. THUSTI (Satisfaction)
5. SAUSVARYAM (Tone)
6. PUSTI (Nourishment)
7. PRATIBHA (Skill)
8. MEDHA (intellect)
9. BALA (strength and immunity)
Either balance or imbalances among body constituents are depended on the diet consumed. Therefore it is evident the health and disease are caused by food……….. CHARAKA SAMHITA
In brief says that human body and health or diseases are sourced in food.
BALANCING DIET
The diet, which maintains the balance among body elements/ homeostasis, is called Balancing diet / wholesome diet. Mere physically balanced diet may not achieve balance in all instances. Several factors are considered in Ayurveda as the determinants of balancing diet.
Determinants Of Balancing Diet
1. PRAKRUTI (quality)
2. KARANA (processing)
3. SAMYOGA (combinations)
4. RASHI (quantity)
5. UPYOGA SAMSTHA (socio-emotional states)
6. DESA (source)
7. KALA (season)
8. UPAYOKTA (recipient depending upon age, sex, disease etc.)
The man who receives balancing diet determined by foregoing factors will be able to maintain health and prevent diseases. He can live throughout his full span of life without any disease.
UNBALANCING DIET
The diet, which disturbs the balance among the body elements, is called unbalanced diet. Certain times a physically balanced diet can also disturb the homeostasis. Unbalancing diet causes diseases on continuous indulgence.
Factors Responsible For Unbalancing Diet
The following factors turn a diet into unbalancing and unwholesome diet.
1. Place of living ( DESA )
2. Season of intake (KALA )
3. Quantity ( MATRA )
4. Natural quality ( VIRYA )
5. Recipient ( UPAYOKTA)
a) Digestive ability ( AGNI )
b) Type of intestine (KOSTA)
c) Habit ( SATMYA )
d) Likening (HRIDAYA )
e) Physiological state (AVASTHA )
f) Gross pathological type (DOSA)
6. Processing (SAMSKARA AND PAKA )
7. Method of intake (UPYOGA SAMSTHA)
a) order of intake ( KARMA)
b) Procedure of intake (VIDHI )
8. Combinations ( SAMYOGA )
Due to foregoing factors a diet turns against to the body elements. They excite certain body elements and will not allow body to expel, thus produce a persistent disturbance in the homeostasis. A prolong imbalance leads to disease.
The Diet Is Divided Into Two Types
a) Balancing diet maintains health
b) Unbalancing diet produces diseases.
Diet Treatment
Any effort to correct the imbalance among body elements are restore the equilibrium is called treatment. Drugs , Food and Regimen are tools of treatment and diagnosis. Food has been given an equal share in treatment along with drugs. The perspective of diet in the treatment is evident with the following aspects of food and nutrition linked with treatment in ayurveda.
Dietary Etiology ( Roga Karaka Ahara )
The causative factors for all the disease explained in ayurveda essentially consist a list of unbalancing foods. They are specially mentioned for each and every disease, in turn with the basic relation of food and disease.
Dietary Etiology ( Roga Karaka Ahara )
The causative factors for all the disease explained in ayurveda essentially consist a list of unbalancing foods. They are specially mentioned for each and every disease, in turn with the basic relation of food and disease.
Dietary Prescriptions (Pathyam )
The treatment of every disease ends with suitable dietary prescription. There will be an essential restriction on diets, Which are the cause of the disease. The digestive capacity of the patient and state of disease are considered to prescribe a Balancing diet. It has been mentioned that a patient who strictly adopts dietary prescriptions will be able to cure himself spontaneously. Medicines accelerate the process. They are called “Pathyam”. Pathyam is defined as the diet, which is not harmful to the system, involved in pathology and liked by patient.
Medicated Diets ( Ousadi Krita Ahara )
In order to enhance the acceptability of drugs prescribed in a disease various forms of diets have been considered as a media in Ayurveda. They are called as medicated diets.
Examples :
Medicated Milk
Medicated Ghee
Medicated Soup
Medicated Gruel
Medicated Wines
Medicated Linctus
Medicated Condiment
Medicated Beverage
Remedial Diet or Food Recipes :-
Treatment for certain ailments have been given in the form of simple manipulated foods without including the drugs. Such preparations are in fact an unexplored corner of Ayurvedic therapeutic nutrition.
For Example : Wheat ( Godhuma )
a) Wheat flour dry fried and added with sugar controls gastric acidity instantly.
b) Wheat flour fried in Ghee and cooked with milk and sugar promotes bone healing and provides nutrition to growing children.
c) A bread or chapati made with unshifted wheat flour helps free evacuation.
All the dietary items have been classified elaborately. Beside, their nutritional values, they are attributed with therapeutic benefits in Ayurvedic texts.
Conclusion
The foregoing basics and areas of clinical nutrition in Ayurveda evidently show the wider scope of subject. Any treatment is successful only when the nutritional care is given due importance. In the light of growing awareness for the hazardous effects of synthetic drugs, it is high time to explore and propagate the therapeutic nutritional aspects of Ayurveda for betterment of human living.
Saturday café concept is the outcome of these Ayurveda principals, Saturday café will provide organic food, as per prakruti, desh, kaal, bala and diseases.
For more information you can contact Dr. Manoj Virmani
At www.ayurvedguru.com
Ayurveda Diet – As Per Prakriti Of Individual
PranaPranbhrutamnnamTadayuktayaNihanntyasun,
VishamPranaharamTachchaYuktiYuktamRasayanam...
Everything absorbed by five senses like Mouth (food, water), Nose (Breath), Ear (Chanting, sweet music), Skin (Sunlight), Eyes (Nature) is Food.
When we consume food in adequate amount, it gives us long life and youthfulness.
When consumed in inadequate amounts, it increases production of toxins which is harmful for life. Having right food is the initial step towards achieving healthy life.
But just having right food is not enough. Right combination and proportion of food is also important for an individual.
Most of the diseases are a result of inadequate foods or not having food in a proper manner. Specific food's nutritive value and its effect are decided, depending on its taste and attributes. Ayurveda has three main focuses:
1.healing, 2.prevention and 3.health care.
This medical science is a method of personalizing food for each person's healing process. Ayurvedic style cooking is a rational way to prepare food keeping in mind the dietary need of an individual based on different body types.
Ayurveda categorizes food in to three categories: Satvic, Rajasic and Tamasic.
These types of foods have different effects on the body and the mind.
Sattvik Food
Sattva:- Sattva is a quality of mind which induces clarity, harmony and balance.
Sattavic Food:-The following food promotes Sattva.
Fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, fresh fruit juices, cereals(red rice), herbal tea, fresh cow milk, dry fruits, nuts, honey, jaggery, all spices and freshly cooked Food .
Rajasik Food
Rajas:-A quality of mind which induces energy and action.
Rajasic Food:-The following food promotes Rajas.
Ready to eat canned food, basmati rice, sour cream, paneer, ice-cream, yeast, sugar, pickle, vinegar, garlic, onion and salted food.
Tamasik Food
Tamas:-Tamas is a quality of mind which evokes darkness, inertia, resistance and grounding. Tamsic Food:-The following food promotes Tamas .
Alcohol, Beef, Chicken, Fish, Pork, Eggs, Frozen food, Microwave food, Mushroom, Drugs, Tea, Coffee, Fried food, Fried nuts.
These guidelines can be used according to your mind-body constitutions, to maintain dosha balance, and to restore balance if necessary.
Vata Body Type
Characteristics of Vata body typevata-body-type
People are highly innovative and imaginative
These people are quick learners
They have fluctuative moods
Have good reflexes
They have irregular daily routine
These people are confident and enthusiastic
These people are generally lean and slender body.
These people are physically under developed
Veins and tendons are easily visible through the skin.
They have generally dark complexion.
Their skin is dry and scaly
Their eyes are generally sunken.
Textures of their nails are generally rough and brittle.
They talk and walk quickly.
They have a fun loving personality and are of lively nature
They easily get tired but have an abundant instant energy.
Generally have cold extremities like hands and feet and are not comfortable in winter season
Their digestive power is variable
People with vata dominance have a tendency towards madhur (sweet), amal (sour) and lavan (salty) taste (rasa).
They love hot and warm drinks.
Their feces are dry and constipated and they maturate less.
They generally have disturbed sleep.
They are affected by certain disease like
Headaches
High blood pressure
Coughs generally of dry nature
Earaches and throat discomfort
Muscular spasm
Lower back ache (LBA)
Irregular heart beats
Sexual activity disturbance
Arthritis and general body pains
Painful menstruation
All neurological disorders
Constipation
Anxiety
Indigestion
A Food Plan To Balance Vata Dosha
Taste preferences - sweet, sour and salty. Avoid anything pungent. It has a drying effect on your system. Ideally, in summer, prefer sour and salty tastes. Consume salty and pungent foods in winter. Use sweet taste as a supplement during both seasons.
Most non - vegetarian diets suit your prakriti. Aquatic meats help to promote your Kapha levels. Dairy products like butter, cheese, yogurt and clarified butter are generally considered good for you.
Of the frozen desserts, Kulfi is a better option than ice - cream.
Oil is a vital requirement of Vata bodies. Your prakriti needs frequent oil massages.
Favor warm food, moderately heavy textures, added butter and fat. All soothing foods are good for settling disturbed Vata. Use foods such as: warm milk, cream, butter, warm soups, stews, hot cereals, fresh baked bread.
Since vata is a cold dry dosha, warm, nourishing foods such as these are good for stabilizing vata. On the other hand cold foods such as cold salads, iced drinks, raw vegetables and greens are not very good for persons with vata imbalance.
Breakfast is highly recommended. Use hot cereals such as cream of rice or wheat or any other breakfast that is warm, milky, and sweet. Take a hot or herbal tea with snacks in the late afternoon. Avoid drinks with high caffeine as vata gets disturbed by it.
Use spicy foods such as spicy Indian foods that are cooked in oil. Use warm moist foods such as cooked grains and cereals, bowl of hot oatmeal or cup of steaming vegetable soup.
Warm milk is good. You can add a little sugar or honey to it if you prefer. Avoid eating candies as it disturbs vata. Prefer salted nuts that are heavy and oily as opposed to dry salty snacks. All sweet fruits are Ok for vata. Avoid unripe fruits as they are astringent. Take warm or hot water instead of ice water and drinks.
Spices: cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, ginger, cloves in moderation.
If your basic constitution is mixed (vata-pitta or vata-kapha), include portions for the second influential dosha.
Vatadosha is aggravated and increased during autumn and early winter. During these seasons all mind-body types can include some of the above foods and decrease others. Mental and emotional peace and constructive lifestyle routines are important to restoring and maintaining balance.
Pitta Body Type
Characterstics of Pitta Body Type
Medium built
Have a medium height
Generally chest is bit roundish
Not much prominence of veins through the skin
Muscle built is normal
Bones are not much prominent through the body
Strong digestive power
Good appetite
Skin is fair
Complexion is generally reddish, yellowish or may be said as a coppery color
Eyes are general brownish in color and are sharp
Nose is generally sharp
It is prone to sunburn when exposed to sun or heat for longer times.
Hair texture is generally strait
Hair has a tendency of early graying and hair fall is very commonly seen
They have soft nails
Boils and acne commonly affect them
Bad breath is common among these people
Their sweat has a foul smell
Psychological aspect
Good intelligent people with strong understanding
They are shot tempered
They have nature to hate and envy of their competitors
Thy have a dominant nature
They easily gets irritated
These people are ambitious
They believe in show offs of their talent and wealth .
A Food Plan To Balance Pitta Dosha
Taste preferences - sweet, bitter and astringent Pungent foods should be to the bare minimum. Ayurveda suggests the intake of bitter and astringent foods during both summer and winter to promote Vata in summer and Kapha in winter. You could feast on sweets all year round. You should avoid oily foods. Ayurveda recommends a reduced intake of oils and fats, as these promote the fire in your prakriti. Clarified butter is a better option.
Among dairy products, yogurt is good for you. Milk, cheese, and cottage cheese can be used moderately. Indulge in all kinds of frozen desserts.
Considering the fire element domination in the Pitta , Ayurveda advises you to cultivate a handful of simple habits.
Favor Cool or warm but not steaming hot foods. As far as practical use less butter and added fat. Consume food with moderately heavy textures.
Since Pitta promotes strong efficient digestion, you can generally eat just about everything. Take cool, refreshing food in summer. Reduce the consumption of salt, oil, and spices, all of which are "heating" to the body. Salads are good, so is milk and ice cream.
Avoid pickles, sour yogurt, sour cream, and cheese. Avoid vinegar in salad dressing; use lemon juice instead. Alcoholic and fermented foods should be avoided. Their sour Rasa aggravates Pitta. Coffee is also pitta aggravating due to the acid in coffee. Herb tea is good. Prefer mint, licorice root or other pitta pacifying tea.
Breakfast: Cold cereals, cinnamon toast, and apple tea is a good breakfast for Pitta. Avoid coffee, orange juice and doughnuts - they aggravate pitta.
The vegetarian foods are the best for pitta. Consuming red meat tend to heat the body from the fat. Consume abundant amounts of milk, grains and vegetables.
Avoid oily, hot, salty, and heavy foods such as fried food. Instead consume starchy foods such as vegetables, grains and beans. Avoid the tendency to overeat under stress.
Avoid processed and fast foods as they tend to be heavy on salt and sour tastes. Japanese and Chinese food are good choices. Avoid highly spicy food such as is found in Mexican restaurants. To bring down aggravated Pitta, take two teaspoons of ghee (clarified butter) in a glass of warm milk. Avoid taking the ghee if you have problem with high cholesterol).
Spices: black pepper, coriander, and cardamom.
If your basic constitution is mixed (pitta-vata or pitta-kapha), to maintain balance, include smaller portions for the second dosha.
Pitta dosha is aggravated and increased during summer. During hot, dry seasons, all mind-body types can choose some of the above foods and decrease others. Mental and emotional peace and constructive lifestyle routines are important to restoring and maintaining balance.
Kapha Body Type
Characteristics of Kapha Body Type
Relaxed and easy going and slow mover but with grace
These are emotional people with affectionate and loving nature
These are faithful and reliable.
Morphologically these people are heavily build and strong.
Have good memory skills but hard learner
They have soft skin and dark hairs, which may be wavy.
They have a attractive personality
These people generally have big eyes and sclera (white of eyes) is very white
The veins and tendons are not so easily visible in these people.
There complexion is generally fair and bright
In sexual activities they are tough in arousal and have a great endurance power.
They have strong bodily resistance
They do not loose temper easily.
These people don’t like cold and damp weather.
They generally suffer from problems like asthma and respiratory disorders.
These people have a normal appetite and have less digestive powers as compared to the others.
They have a possessive nature and show lots of attachments to people they like.
These people generally are wealthy.
A Food Plan to Balance Kapha Dosha
Taste preferences - pungent, bitter, and astringent. Reduce use of sweet, sour, and salty tastes. Sweets must be avoided. Also try to restricting the consumption of excessive pungent foods in summer; instead prefer foods with a sour taste.
Among dairy products, cottage and other types of cheese are the best options for you. Butter should be avoided and only toned milk be used.
All frozen desserts are to be avoided.
For your Kaphaprakriti, very little of fats and oils are required. Treat your body occasionally, with a warm oil therapy of mustard oil with a little amount of Apple vinegar.
To balance Kapha you need Warm, light and dry food, cooked without much water, minimum of butter, oil and sugar
Kapha need to restrict the consumption of too much sweet foods or fatty foods. Keep an eye on the salt consumption also, which tend to result in fluid retention
Light meals are to be favored such as light breakfast and dinner. Avoid deep fried foods. Eat lightly cooked foods or raw fruits and vegetables. Eat spicy, bitter and astringent foods. Watch out for eating too much food, a typical kapha tendency.
Select hot food over cold food whenever feasible. Dry cooking methods (baking, broiling, grilling, sautéing) are preferred than moist cooking such as steaming, boiling or poaching. As an appetizer eat bitter or pungent foods instead of salty or sour. Foods such as romaine lettuce, endive, or tonic water are good to stimulate your appetite.
Take ginger tea or a pinch or ginger to stimulate appetite. Other preferred spices are cumin, fenugreek, sesame seed and turmeric. Any food that is spicy is good for kapha such as very hot Mexican or Indian food, especially in winter.
Foods that are good for kapha breakfast are hot spiced cider, buckwheat pancakes with apple butter, corn muffins, and bitter cocoa made with skim milk and a touch of honey. Avoid cold cereals, cold juice or milk, and sugary pastries. Bacon and sausage aggravates kapha due to their salt and oil. For kapha types, breakfast is optional. (You may skip it if you like).
To pep you up in the morning, take honey, hot water, lemon juice and ginger. Try hot ginger tea. Try skipping a meal or two and take a spoonful of honey in hot water to keep you going.
You have a sweet tooth. So, cutting down on sugar is difficult but it is recommended. Take honey instead. Avoid taking more than a spoonful of honey a day.
Don't overindulge on dairy foods. Butter, ice cream, and cheese are among the worst foods you can take as it aggravates the kapha. Take warm low fat milk. Avoid hamburgers and milk shakes. Eat raw fruits, vegetables and salads. Watch out the restaurant foods, especially oily, salty, sweet or deep fried foods - these are all kapha aggravating. Eat salad with minimum salad dressing. Take a glass of hot water instead of ice water. Eat salad instead of soup especially in hot weather.
Kaphadosha is aggravated and increased in the spring of the year. During this season, eat less and choose more dry, fibrous foods. During wet, cold seasons,
If your basic constitution is mixed, include smaller portions for the second dosha.