New Delhi: Ayurveda is more than just an ancient Indian wellness practice. And a diet plan specific to it, known as the Ayurvedic diet, propagates eating habits that are centred on preserving certain body types and also to improve overall health. It is based on the principles of Ayurvedic medicine and it helps regulate kinds of energy within the body, and it advises different routines and practices for different people depending on comorbidities as well. And on the plus side, it is also one of the best ways to improve mental health.
On World Ayurveda Day, try these 9 Ayurvedic tips to practice daily for a healthy body.
- Early bird: Ayurveda advises waking up in “Brahmi Muhurtha”, which is 45 minutes prior to sunrise. This duration is essential because it is the intermittent window between the respiration and photosynthesis of plants. This helps the body get nascent oxygen which boosts immunity.
- Do not mix cooked, and uncooked food: In Ayurveda, it is advised to not eat cooked and uncooked food together as it takes a toll on digestion. It makes it difficult for digestive enzymes to break food.
- Eat fresh food: Packaged food items as not advised in Ayurveda. On the contrary, eating warm, fresh food increases metabolism once it reaches the stomach. This boosts appetite and the ability to digest food. It also reduces vitiated kapha.
- With respect to dairy: Ayurveda recommends extra caution when it comes to dairy and dairy products. It is advised to be twice as sure of the quality and the source as contamination and adulteration are common these days.
- No tea, or coffee before meals: Avoid drinking tea or coffee before meals – Ayurveda rather says one should be sure of the doshas – current state of health – before intake. If one drinks these before meals, it can overheat the body and make the digestive tract hyper-acidic.
- Eat the last meal before sunset: Ayurveda says that the digestion strength of the body weakens after sunset, which is why the last meal must always be before sunset. Pitta is when the sun rises to the highest point in the sky and it helps process food smoothly.
- No water till 1.5 hours after food: One must not drink water for 1.5 hours after a meal as it affects the quality of food and speed of digestion. This can result in obesity over time.
- 3 meals a day: Ayurveda says that one must stick to three meals in a day. Also, it is not recommended to eat anything within three hours of a meal as it can cause indigestion.
- Sleep by 10 pm: One should go to bed by 10 pm as sleep is influenced by kapha dosha. People who have a kapha body type must try to sleep more. On the other hand, pitta or vata body type people must sleep a little less.
