Ayurved has described Ahara (food) as one of the Trayopastambha (three fundamental pillars of life ) Human biological system requires diet or food to provide energy for all life process, growth, repair and maintenance.
Ahara is very much emphasized in Ayurveda for the prevention and management of a wide range of disorders. As per the viewpoint of Ayurveda, both the healthy living human body and the diseases afflicting it are the products of Ahara.
Use of Hita Ahara (wholesome diet) promotes health and longevity and Ahita Ahara (unwholesome diet) promotes manifestation of different disorders. Ayurvedic diet is not really a ‘diet’ in the typical sense of the word. It does not offer quick fixes, neither does it have long lists of ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’.
The dietetics and nutrition in Ayurvedic system of medicine include different classes of Ahara i.e. eating and drinking items, and based on main principles of
- Pathyapathya – Principle ofwholesome and unwholesome diet),
- Ashta Ahara Vidhi Visheshayatan , Dvadasha Ashana Vidhi – Disciplines of eating
- Viruddha Ahara – incompatible diet.
As you and every other person is unique, each has its own bio systems, constitution, mental framework and unique bio-humoral tendencies. This causes very individualistic set of compatible and no compatible list of foods unique to each person. The key is to identify what is Hita Ahara (pathyaahar ) and what is Ahita Ahara (Apathya aahar) for me
Apathya – The food substances which are not harmful to the body channels and please the mind and those with opposite property are Apathya. But this can not be accepted as general rule or in other words the definition is not definite. The properties of Pathyapathya can be changed depending upon Matra (quantum), Kala (time), Kriya (processing), Bhoomi (habitat), Deha (body constitution) and Dosha (bio-humors).
In today’s busy lifestyle much of everyone’s self sense has so numbed that it is really tough for one to listen to his own body, and When one educates himself about ayurvedic principles and become aware about his body it becomes easier to follow hita ahar lifestyle . And when one consumes Pathya (conducive food) in appropriate quantity, at proper time, and in a proper way than it results in promotion of positive health and prevention from a wide range of disorders. In this way, the health is always dependent on intake of conducive food, balanced diet and discipline of food intake
The major challenge in todays world is how will I empower myself to understand and become aware what is good for me and what is not. For this Ayurveda has designed certain methods to help you out.
It is of prime importance to first become aware about your body, mind , compatibilities , doshic-predominancies, panchabhoutik prominences .You may also get some authentic Ayurved experts help for the same and understand what is good for you and what’s not.
The focus of Ayurveda is to create balance and harmony by altering the method by which food is prepared, consumed and enjoyed. Ayurveda suggests that an individualistic changes regarding relationship with food definitely helps to achieve a healthier life.
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