Knowing the individual for whom the meal is cooked
A good Ayurvedic Physician and a good Ayurvedic cook are an important part of an Ayurvedic
meal. It is a partnership between the Ayurvedic physician, the cook and the
individual. An Ayurvedic physician can determine the wellness of the entire
individual bio-system from the pulse of the individual. The physician will then
inform the cook and the individual about what has been learnt.
Food and Digestion:
Food digestion is as important as paying attention to vitamins because it is important
that the body absorb the nutrition that is taken in. The greatest time to digest the
food is at 12 noon when the sun is the highest in the sky. Digestion needs heat and
at that time the stomach is naturally the hottest in the day. Also ice water or very
cold water is not encouraged with meals as it puts of the digestive fires out in the
stomach. This compromises the immune system and energy levels in the individual and
opens the individual to fatigue and disease. Cold water with meals is especially not
given to the Vata individual and also for the Kapha. Also cold water is not
encouraged in winter when the digestive fire is not as hot as in summer.
It is an Ayurvedic cooks
responsibility along with the Ayurvedic physician to educate the individual about the
uniqueness of his/her digestive system.
Food and Taste:
Taste has an effect on the body systems. Each of the tastes have a specific effect
on the body. Therefore a balanced diet involves having six tastes - salty, sour,
sweet, astringent, bitter present in every meal or at least have them once everyday. An
Ayurvedic cook will know how important it is to include the six tastes when preparing an
Ayurvedic meal.
It is an Ayurvedic cooks
responsibility along with the Ayurvedic physician to educate the individual about the
uniqueness of their Doshas which can be tweaked with taste to create wellness.
Cooking
with the Seasons:
An Ayurvedic cook knows the different diets for different seasons. The body needs to
adjust to the outside environment and food is one way to adjust to changes in season.
Every season brings about nurturing qualities and the body needs plug into the
nature for rejuvenation. When this is not done, it may compromise the natural
defenses that the system needs to build up. During summer, which is a pitta
season, individuals are prone for sunburn, acne etc and so it is recommended that cool,
light fruits and salads have to be consumed to pacify the imbalances caused by pitta.
During winter, which is a vata season, people are prone to cold, arthritis,
rheumatism etc and so it is recommended that people eat warm, oily and hearty meals like
beans, whole grains and meats to lubricate the system against dryness of Vata season.
During spring, which is a kapha season, people are prone to bronchial ailments and
common colds etc. Ayurveda recommends foods like honey and millet and greens to be
included in the everyday meal to dry the body of the mucus.
Energy
is found in Fresh Food and Quality Ingredients:
Ayurveda believes that wellness and cooking start in the market. The Ayurvedic cook
knows how to choose tender and crisp vegetables, soft but firm fruits, good spices, nuts
and oils and aged grains. It is important to choose the best and the freshest
ingredients to maintain youth and good health. Ayurveda pays special attention
to the vital energy in foods and the sun's energy that is locked up in greens and in
grains.
Each
Person is an Individual with Individual Needs:
An Ayurvedic cook knows that each person is made up of elements called ether/air, fire and
water/earth. Each individual has their own composition of these elements.
There are some individual foods that can be beneficial or detrimental for individuals with
different elements. Vata (Ether/Air) type might benefit from foods that
are warm, heavy and oily. Pitta (Fire) type might benefit from cool foods
and Kapha (Earth/Water) type might benefit from light and dry foods. click here for more info
For the
Individual who eats a meal cooked by an Ayurvedic cook the following is important.
Leading a healthy Life:
Ayurveda believes there are 5 principles/ways that lead to a healthy lifestyle. They
are - proper relaxation, proper breathing, asanas or exercise, a good diet and regular
meditation.
© Kavita
Mehta 1995-2001
A book that I
would recommend for learning Ayurveda is Perfect Health :
The Complete Mind/Body Program for Identifying & Soothing the Source of Your Body's
Reaction
by Dr. Deepak Chopra
Perfect Health by
Dr. Deepak Chopra
Shop for other Ayurvedic books |
