Porridge with ginger and coconut chutney for fever, pepper soup for cold, carom seeds for stomach pain, using food as a means for curing diseases has been one of the most important aspects of many ancient Indian medical science. Additionally, they had a specific methodology on ingredients for its preparation, mixing certain types of food with another is sometimes prohibited. But in recent times we heavily disrespect this kind of restrictions on foods in the name of food combination and food decoration. We include several artificial flavors and colors to naturally hygienic food and turn it unhygienic.
Food intake based on seasonal changes
Our body’s temperature is usually high during summer seasons. Avoiding spicy, sour, oily foods during summer is necessary. These foods will make increase body’s temperature. This could lead to many bodily problems like pain in the joints, urinary infections, blisters in the face, body pain etc.…
Eating foods that cools the body temperature is the right choice, this includes foods like sprouted seeds, tender coconut, greens, cucumber, water-rich vegetables, watermelon, buttermilk and many others.
During the winter season, our body will have enhanced capacity to digest foods. Our body can digest oily and deep fried foods in this season. Including sesame oil and ghee into foods will prevent dryness in the skin during the cold season. Eating fiber rich foods is also preferred as it would prevent us from feeling hungry for longer time duration.
Right foods at the right time
We need to have our breakfast within two hours after waking up. Breakfast must be rich in nutrients and fiber content as well.
There must be 4 hours break between lunch and breakfast. This will ensure breakfast foods are digested completely. Lunch could include lentils, pulses, sprouted seeds, and greens.
Easily digestible foods are most preferred during the night, this includes carbohydrate rich foods like rice and rice-based foods that don’t include more oil. Finishing off the dinner before 7:30 PM is good. Before heading to sleep, drinking milk mixed with palm sugar or pepper powder is good for health. Avoiding yogurt, sweets, and greens for dinner will prevent indigestion problems.
Right food varies with geography
When we live or stay in a particular geographical location, eating foods that are naturally found in that region is the best choice and healthy. Fruits like guava, gooseberry, pomegranate, grapes, banana, sweet lime, orange, and vegetables like eggplant, tomato, lady’s finger, bottle gourd are best suited for Indian sub-continent.
How not to eat?
Cooking or heating yogurt for any recipes must be avoided, this could lead to skin problems. Also, drinking carbonated drinks and soft drinks after consuming hard digestible foods like pizza, burger, and fries will not help it to digest faster. Rather, drinking hot ginger tea will be much more helpful.
Mixing citrus fruits and fruits rich in Vitamin-C must not be added or included along with milk or milk based products such as ice-cream, milk shakes etc.
Pomegranate, lemon, sweet lime, orange, watermelon must not be a part of milkshakes. People who better capacity to digest foods can consume apple or banana milkshakes.
While toasting bread, some people dip it into milk, egg and add some vegetables to serve along with it. This could lead to stomach disorders.
Eating greens and leaf based foods after consuming alcohol can create chemical imbalance and this could lead to health problems.
It is always better to take a Doctor’s advice before deciding with your food habits. General diet may not be the best option for all.