IMPORTANT FOOD RULES
Guidelines to maximize digestion and avoid build up of “AMA” or undigested toxic waste.
- A meal should be well balanced with all six tastes i.e. sweet, salty, sour, pungent, astringent and bitter with no excesses of any kind.
- Meals should be light and regular. Fill half the stomach with food, one quarter with water and leave one quarter empty to aid in digestion.
- Breakfast should be before 0900 hours, lunch between 1200 to 1400 hours, and dinner should be before 1800 hours, consumed at least four hours before going to bed.
- Eat freshly prepared food. Reduce intake of canned food or frozen food.
- Never eat when angry, irritated or emotionally disturbed.
- Avoid TV, loud music, arguments, internet surfing while eating.
- Avoid have ice-cold water before, during or after meals as it can lead to joint pain.
- Avoid eating food you don’t like.
- Avoid incompatible food combinations as follows:
- Hot and cold, for example hot noodles with ice cold drinks.
- Milk with sour fruits, fish, meat and yoghurt.
- Potato with eggs, milk, banana or melons.
- Eggplant with eggs, milk, banana or melons.
- Yogurts with sour fruits, meat, fish, cheese or hot drinks.
- Honey should never be cooked or heated.
- Lemon with cucumber, milk or yogurt.
- Cold salads should be taken neither before hot meal nor along with it.
- Eating fruits after meals as it can lead to sluggish metabolism and weight gain.
10. If you are getting Ayurvedic treatments your body becomes more sensitive to what you are eating, as it is trying to create a new balance. So during this time, especially, keep the meals simple. Create recipes that are well balanced and easy to digest with no excess of any kind. For example – don’t overdo with proteins. It can cause intestinal discomfort, indigestion, dehydration, headache, exhaustion and irritability. Start with fewer ingredients. This will help you remember what you ate and how it made you feel.
11. Last but not least, always show gratitude for your food. Know that when prepared with love and joy, it becomes an important source of nourishment and strength for you. A good, healthy meal should always give you energy.