Fast paced life, faulty eating habits and illness:
In our fast-paced life, knowingly or unknowingly, we indulge in faulty eating habits, like eating quicky, talking or working while eating, not eating when hungry, eating when we are not hungry, emotional eating, eating in incompatible combinations and overeating or undereating.
We cook food for the whole week and store it in the freezer if we are very busy. We prioritize taste over health. The food we love may not be necessarily good for us. But little do we realize that these faulty eating habits could be an invitation to a variety of illnesses.
How do they affect us?
Food consumed in this way is not digested properly, resulting in the formation of undigested toxins called ama. These toxins reduce digestive fire, cause imbalance of the Doshas, clog up the channels of absorption and affect the nourishment of tissues.
Headache, weakness, lethargy, loss of enthusiasm, anxiety, unable to concentrate, various food intolerances, variety of allergies, constipation, bloating and acidity are some of the symptoms produced due to poor digestion.
These toxins if unchecked over a period of time can cause severe illnesses.
How do we avoid this?
We are what we eat. As per Ayurveda, if one wishes to maintain good health or wants to get rid of a disease one should consume wholesome food following these dietary guidelines.
Some Ayurvedic food recommendations
| Recommendations | Rationale |
| Eat hot and freshly prepared food | Tastes better, increases appetite and is easily digested |
| Eat unctuous food | Increases digestive fire and provides strength and nourishment to the tissues |
| Eat correct quantity of food | Balanced or proper quantities helps in proper assimilation |
| Eat after the earlier food is digested | If food is consumed before the earlier food is digested, it results in the formation of ama |
| Eat food which is not contradictory in potency | Incompatible food combinations are root causes of skin disorders and autoimmune disorders |
| Eat in a desired place with desired articles | Helps in making the mind calm and peaceful |
| Do not eat in a hurry | Food can enter into the respiratory tract and cause choking |
| Do not eat very slowly | More than required amounts of food can be consumed, it becomes cold and is not digested properly |
| Eat mindfully without talking and laughing | Helps in focussing on what we are eating, feeling its taste, touch, etc. |
| Eat after analysing one’s ability to digest food, constitution and status of agni | Food consumed in this manner can act as medicine. |
Food consumed in this manner will help in proper digestion, absorption, assimilation and nourishment.
In summary, stimulating our parasympathetic nervous system before having food will help us to connect to our body’s intelligence and we won’t miss its silent signals, which will guide us to know what’s good for us, how much to eat and when to stop eating.
Finally, a moment of pausing, self-analysis, prayer and gratitude before having food helps to connect to our inner self, reminds us about the divinity of food and our oneness with existence.
Remember mindful eating can help us gain maximum benefits from the food we eat.
If you wish to seek further information about the Ayurvedic principles or need support with your digestion, we are just a call away at Aspects of Healing on 8110 4300. Enquiries can be emailed to enquiries@aspectsofhealing.com.au
Written by Doctor Shweta Rao.