“One should regularly take such articles which are conducive to the maintenance of good health and can prevent the attacks of disease.” – Charak (Su.5/13)

Diet Secrets of Ayurveda

“You are what you eat” is a saying that you have probably heard before. But as per Principles of Ayurveda, “You are what you digest.”

The Ayurvedic diet is one that not only nourishes the body but also restores the balance of  ‘Tridoshas’ which is very much essential for maintaining Health. Depending on our dosha, or constitutional type, some foods can be beneficial, and others should be avoided. These same foods may have the opposite effect on another dosha. The science of Ayurveda teaches that the right diet is the foundation of healing. For maximum health and vitality, the ideal diet is one that balances our doshas.

“One who follows a healthy diet and lifestyle doesn’t need any medicine and one who doesn’t follow, also doesn’t need any medicine!” (Ancient proverb from Ayurveda)

It means if one is following a healthy diet and lifestyle, no medicine is required to tackle the disease. The controlled diet itself works as a medicine. And if one is not following such a diet & lifestyle, no medicine will work because improper diet & lifestyle themselves are the prime causes of diseases. By this, Ayurveda conveys the immense importance of our food and living habits for both preventing and curing the disease.

It is clearly mentioned in ‘Charak Samhita’ that consuming an improper diet in an improper way is the main cause of ‘Disease’. “Every food item has a specific taste and a composition, similar to our individuality, all food items are also special at the individual level. When we

and our food are the same in composition, individuality, and characters, it helps the body to work properly. When there is a clash, a “riot” of individuality occurs. What we know as food allergies. So, know your food before eating it as it is going to be a long-lasting relation between both of you. This relation should be sweet and healthy!! Cooking is a process developed by intelligent minds to make foods and human bodies compatible.

Spices and oils used to cook the foods are the best mediators in between us and our foods. The process of Cooking is known as “Samskar“. Samskar literally means the process to enhance, to modify the properties of something. Cooking is a Samskar for the foods.

Adding Spices

Many of us think that spices are just media to put the taste in the foods. It is not only taste. Spices are blessed herbs, with the potential to cure many diseases. By adding spices we make our food tasty, so that all the sense organs, will welcome these foods. And on other hand unknowingly we are medicating our food so that these will be assimilated properly.

Adding Ghee (Clarified Butter)

Ghee is blessed with the power of “Yogvahitava”. Yogvahitva is the capability of something to carry the good characters of the next, which is combined with that foodstuff, without losing its own properties. Ghee is added to the foods while cooking.

Some Ayurvedic Diet Concepts:

Importance of Diet: Ayurveda gives more importance to diet than medicine. One must take the diet according to his Agni (Digestive power), Desh (Geographic place), Kaal (Season), Kriya (Occupation), Vaya (Age), etc. One, who follows this, enjoys a healthy & disease-free lifespan.

Viruddh Aahar (Incompatible diet):
The food items having an opposite taste, properties or nature, if taken together become harmful which may cause various diseases viz. acidity, liver malfunction, colitis, and majorly skin diseases. For example, Milk with sour items, onion, garlic, salt, curd, and citrus fruits.

Pathya – Apathya Aahar & Vihar (Suitable-Unsuitable diet & lifestyle):

In Ayurvedic therapy, this is considered as one of the most important measures during the treatment of disease. One should avoid unsuitable diet and lifestyle during the therapy and must adopt a suitable one for faster results and total cure of the disease. It is never too late to switch to an Ayurveda Diet. It has been seen that people who have embraced Ayurveda diet plans into their lifestyles and have altered their daily routines for the better are experiencing complete & healthy assimilation of their mind, body, and soul. It is highly recommended to consult Gayatri Ayurveda Natural Wellness Center which will advise the best Ayurveda diet plan for you taking into consideration your age, gender, body/constitutional type or Doshas (Vata, Pitta & Kapha) that require balancing, and the current toxin levels (Ama) in your body, etc.