There are three basic principles to eating healthy. First, eat what's fresh; second, choose food that is in season and third, choose what's locally produced. These principles maybe applied to all kinds of cuisine, be it Asian, European or Mediterranean so that preference does not really matter when it comes to Ayurvedic diet. It's a diet suited to all cooking cultures.
The best way to follow these principles is to buy food from the farmer's market - where you have the fresh, seasonal and local which are also cheaper. Of course winter is a different story and this is where the frozen tomatoes and other preserved foods become useful. So as you can see this diet is also practical or for those who watch their spending.
People often associate this diet with vegetables, rice and spices but in reality it can be applied to any cuisine as long as the principles are followed (and Ayurvedic spices are added). Basic spices include ginger, turmeric, cumin and coriander. These have medicinal properties aside from enhancing the aroma and flavor of the foods.
How it Stops Craving
Here is a tip you will find very helpful. Following the Ayurvedic diet actually helps you stop cravings! There are six recognized tastes that should be included in daily meals. Cravings take place when all six tastes are not included in the diet. It is important that these six tastes in the Ayurvedic diet are consumed in the order of how the body digests food: sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent. By doing so the body feels satisfied after a meal. Naturally, if you leave out one taste, example the sweet (sugar, rice, milk), you're not feeling as satisfied as you want and will be craving long after the meal is over. This diet seems the reverse of how we consume our food since we usually have the sweets at the end of the meal. But following this order is holistic and makes sense. For example, eating something bitter like lettuce and turmeric or astringent like beans or lentils at the end minimizes cravings for sweets. As you can see this diet is also a great way of losing weight - without trying hard.
Agni and Healthy Eating Habits
Ayurvedic doctors regard Agni as the most important concept of the diet. Agni refers to the digestive fire of the body. A strong and healthy Agni means the body can digest anything, while a fragile one means digestion is weakened. The body also produces toxins when the Agni is weak. To ensure a strong Agni, follow these healthy eating habits: Prepare the body to receive food by taking 3-5 slow breaths before the meal; don't eat when you're angry because you are not only eating the food but also the emotions of the person who cooked the meal; turn off the radio or television and eat in a quiet environment; don't read books either; chew your food properly to improve digestion and absorption of food; don't rush when you're eating and eat until you are satisfied, but not until you feel heavy and tired; drink half a cup of water at room temperature (dry meals may require more liquid); avoid drinking cold water because it destroys the Agni and slows down digestion; wait for 15-20 minutes after a meal before you do anything; allow 3 hours between meals for the food to digest; your largest meal should be at lunch and the smallest meal in the evening. The body mirrors the energy of the universe making digestion at its strongest when the sun is at its peak. You should also never skip breakfast.
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