HOHkay. The nutrition talk (write) is long overdue. Let it begin.
Ayurveda looks at nutrition in a different way than we do in the western world. Ayurveda looks at eating as a ritual that not only nourishes the body, but nourishes the mind and soul too. It is said that 90% of all disease comes from wrong diet and wrong eating rituals. In Ayurveda food is our medicine. It provides the building blocks to nourish and replenish the dhatus (tissues) which make up our entire physical foundation.
One of the main differences between western nutrition and Ayurveda are calories. The don’t exist in Ayurveda! Rather we focus on the elements that are present in the foods we eat. Are they balancing or imbalancing to our prakruti (unique makeup of doshas)? How we DIGEST the food is the main concern in Ayurveda.
Some of the differences between our conventional view of nutrition and the Ayurvedic viewpoint are below:
There is lots and lots to discuss in the way of Ayurvedic nutrition. This is just the beginning, so I welcome you on a fabulous journey of learning about the food that will give you a healthy mind, body and soul.
2 responses so far ↓
1 michellehahn // Nov 15, 2008 at 8:30 pm
OK, so if I wanted a very beginners strategy to nutrition, where would I start? It has to fit my lifestyle. For me that means I still need to be able to eat meat sometimes. Not all the time but a least sometimes. I work out all the time…hard. I love it. It is stress relief for me. I wont give it up. What are some easy ways to achieve a body in balance and utilize food as medicine. I’m focused on disease prevention. Mostly cancer due to my family history. Are there books to read, etc? BTW…mmmwhhaaa. Miss you!
2 Monica // Nov 16, 2008 at 10:05 pm
First, I love that you wrote “disease prevention.” That is the foundation of Ayurveda. Too often we wait until we are sick before doing something about our health. So kudos!!
Second, for beginners strategy I would recommend following the daily routine (see post on 8/20/08) and having a light breakfast, lunch as biggest meal and then a small dinner. This is best for your digestion. Even western advises not to eat too much or too late at night. Agni (digestive fire) is strongest around noon so it is able to use the food for energy.
I will look into books for you, and in the meantime, I will post Nutritional Guidelines for you to read tomorrow.
One thing, don’t try to make all the changes at once – it would never stick. Just decide on 2 things to be mindful of over the next couple weeks. If they stick and you wish to do more, then do so. This is all at your own pace. Ayurveda says, “Slowly we make the changes.”
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