Meal time ...!

Food is the base of life. What and how we eat has a significant effect on our body and health. We don't eat whatever comes in plate. From old times there has been some protocol about how  and what to eat. 
         

Today there are a huge number of people suffering from metabolic syndrome,diabetes, dyslipidemia , liver and kidney diseases due to faulty eating habits. People start dieting to repair the body system but don't understand that there are still more factors associated with this, and not only food. 
         So, from here the holistic diet and lifestyle concept started.

Which things should be considered while planning a meal ?

• Are you hungry?
• How should be your food like?
• Which foods should be avoided?
• Care while cooking
• Location
• How to eat?
• After meal rituals

Are you hungry?

• The best time to eat is when you are hungry.
• Normally, there is Kapha predominance in body between 6 am/pm to 10am/pm , Pitta predominance between 10-2 and 2-6 there is vata predominance . e.g. If you have food between 6-10 in morning or evening then  it will digest and lead to madhur vipaka, vipaka is the final taste and effect on body after complete digestion of food.

     If you eat in pitta kala then it can lead to acidity like symptoms and if you eat in vata kala then it can lead to bloating. So you should have your major meals i.e. lunch or dinner between 6 -10am/pm accordingly.

• Done with your motions ? You should not eat if you are feeling to pee or poop.
• When you feel lightness in body. Heaviness in body and especially in abdomen suggests incomplete digestion.
• When you have normal ( tasteless or shuddha) burp.

How should be your food like?

• Food should be freshly cooked, preferably home made food.
• Food should be wholesome i.e. food that appretiates your body and helps to stay healthy. Normally the local food that your family has been eating for years from generations is a wholesome food for you. Don't just go for any fad and fancy diet as it may not suit your stomach. Don't just have some foods which are so called "healthy foods" e.g. broccoli, which is never grown in your place.
• Food should be light and easy to digest
• Have food that is hot and moist (not too dry)
• Include all tastes food items in plate, this helps in maintaining the equilibrium.
• Food should be tasty, not too oily and spicy.
• Foods which have more water content e.g. soups are easy to digest.
• Eat in moderate quantity.

Which foods should be avoided?

• Foods which have impurities, contaminated should be avoided.
• The food items you really don't like should be avoided as it has negative effect on your mind and body.
• Food which is not tasty and stale food you shouldn't be eating. It is a very wrong habit of cooking food and storing it in refrigerator for days.
  
• Overcooked and undercooked foods should be avoided as all nutrients are lost from overcooked food and undercooked food is difficult to digest.
• Avoid fast foods and hotel food.

Care while cooking food:

• Kitchen and utensils should be clean and hygienic, free from insects .
• Clean the vegetables thoroughly , avoid contamination of food.
• Cooked food should be covered to maintain it's quality.

Location:

• You should eat at a quite place, which is not crowded.
• Place should be fresh, hygienic, have food with your loved ones.
• Have food in sitting position and the place should be covered by roof.

How to eat?

• Focus on food completely. Switch off TV, don't use mobile phone while eating.
• Chew the food properly and don't talk or laugh while eating.
• Don't eat too fast or too slow.If you are eating fast then you won't be enjoying the taste of food and if you eat too slow you may end up eating too much.
• Have water in between the meal.

After food rituals:

• Normally, immediately after food kapha dosha increases , during digestion process pitta increases and after digestion of food vata increases.
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• After food , to tackle kapha and for refreshment of mouth, have betel nut, clove,fenel seeds,saunf, camphor, or betel leaf etc.
  
  

• Brush your teeth.
• After having food , rest for some time, then walk for 10-15 min (100 steps), and then lie down on left side for some time.
• You should not go to sleep immediately after food, or talk and laugh too much. Don't sit at one place for too long , walking in sun, swimmimg, travel are also not advised immediately after food.

This is a right and ideal way of having your meal. Helpful to maintain healthy body and healthy mind !!!