Ayurveda - A take on Food

Article written by Dr. Harsha D. Kulkarni, M.D. Ayurved


Brief Background:
Ayu meaning life and ved meaning to know. Ayurved is the age-old wisdom of life. Being such a huge doctrine of centuries of wisdom,

Ayurved has a very unique take on the subject of food. 

Two things are very important in food :

1. Nutrition

2. Digestion

The second, digestion being more important than the first. Today, all our focus is on nutrition. But whatever you intake, if digestion is not proper, you gain nothing out of it.

So today let us talk food in light of this wisdom.

*Types of food :*

Ayurved classifies food in four types

1. Hard food that needs chewing: papad, poori, khakra, pop corns etc

2. Solid food: rice, roti, bhakri,bhaji, koshimbir etc

3. Liquid: soup, kadhi, daal, amti, buttermilk, etc

4. Licking food: chutney, pickle, chyavanprash, murabba

*Ayurved thinks of food according to the prominence of five elements.*

Everything around us has some basic qualities. So each food also classifies as having those qualities. E.g. heavy/ light, cool/heating, drying/ wet. These are the qualities of food you feel after having different foods, right? Sensibly, food has such effects on the body. So a cooling food will feel cool inside the body and will have a cooling effect through its intake and digestion.

*When we eat, we don't the only experience and memorize food in mouth/ tongue*

When we eat, we experience food with all our senses, mouth, throat, stomach and entire body and mind. E.g. even if you remember a childhood treat - like, kacchi kairi, you still salivate today. Or if you smell a pav bhaji, you crave for one. Or if you had a food poison in the past, you feel nausea even after years on seeing the same dish.

* So it's clear that our body experiences food in a very different way than we currently think or are made to think*

Our body does not experience food in calories, protein, carbohydrates or fats but in six classes called RAS such as madur(sweet), amla(sour), lavan(salty), katu(hot spicy), tikta(bitter), kashay(astringent), AND two main qualities heating and cooling.

The Q&A

Question1:

My son eats while reading a book. Would categorize that as a distraction while eating as well?

Ans:  TV watching or reading both are distractions. Eating is a full mind-body activity and that can become such if that is our family culture. The more we focus on eating at the time of meals, better we chew, taste, digest.

Question 2:

Common query, my kids like to eat while watching TV, iPad , I do try to discourage it, but then they just hurry up, to finish the food.

Ans: Slowly talk children out of distractions.

Involve all family members in cooking and serving.

Question 3:

My 12 yr old she was always allergic to milk, so she doesn't have.,younger one likes milk. So which form of milk do you suggest, cows milk, A2 milk?

Don't know, I was following vegan for some time, but it's cumbersome. After that I have a version for milk, like because of the cruelty aspect, etc..So after stopping dairy, I still feela lot more tired etc..

Is milkurds or buttermilk imp as per Ayurveda?

Answer: Yes, Ayurved mentions about various milks in details. Cow's milk according to Ayurved is Desi cow milk only. Buttermilk has many nutrients and medicinal properties.

Q4: You said eat when hungry even if u feel hungry at 2-3 hrs interval?

Ans: Eat when hungry.

Q5: Read someplace that Pickle papad and non-vegetarian is supposed to take longer to digest so to avoid. 

Ans: Pickle, papad necessary in tiny portions. Traditional recipes of pickles are really good for the gut.

Q6: Does Ayurveda mention about non-vegetarian diet?

Ans: Yes, texts talk in details about non-vegetarian food and recipes.

Q7: Also read don't have too.much variety in one meal so easy to digest so not to have dal rice roti sabzi all in one meal. Rather have only rice or only roti.

Ans:  Variety of many foods at a time can be digested by a healthy gut. Our sedentary lifestyle makes our digestion weak and then we can't eat/ digest much at a meal. Seasonal and local grains should be eaten. E.g. bajra in Winters, jwari in summers, rice in Maharashtra etc. 

Q8: How to ensure the right intake of the necessary vitamins protein and other stuff?

If we find time to cook well-balanced meals daily, needs for supplements are rear. Also, it's important that we eat many varieties of local species. Much of today s deficiencies occur because we eat very limited and same grains, veggies n everything throughout the year.

Include, local micro foods in the diet.

Q9: My 3 yr old child never demands of having food unless I feed her..how do I make her eat?? And second thing she just chews from one side..also holds the food in one corner of her mouth for a longer time..how do I teach her to use both sides?

Ans: Wait for her to feel hungry, she will eat everything properly then.

Use digestive water like ajma/ ginger water meanwhile.

Q10: What is better Swarnaprashan or Chavanprash? Which brand should we buy in either u suggest. Can it be given all year? In summer as well.

Ans:Chyavanprash can be eaten by healthy person in cold weather/ season.

Q11:My son is not breastfeed so I feel his immune is low. Any Ayurveda home remedy for boosting immunity? 

Ans: Good immunity is built by many things. Important is regular balanced diet, play, sunlight, good sleep and laughter.

Q12: Can Jeshtamadh be given everyday with honey. If yes then how much? I am planning to give for cold and immunity. Anything else u suggest.

Ans: No medicine should be used daily and without proper consultatin for long time.

Q13: Can ghee be given everyday if yes then how much?

Ans: Ghee from cows milk is essential for body and should be used as per recipes.

Q14: What should be included in Everyday diet of 4 year old to maintain good weight. My son is little under weight.

Ans: Weight is not a real/ only measure of health/ fitness. If child is energetic, eats and sleeps well, plays well then it's normal for that child.

Q15: Can ayurvedic medicine be given along with allopathy or homeopathy.

Ans: Which medicines can be taken together, will depend on particular medicine and person.

Q16: Aren't ayurvedic medicine heat for kids. What age can we start ayurvedic for kids.

Ans:  At any age Ayurved can be used. Ayurved doesnt always reccomend medicines. only when required.

Q17:I have heard something called chakaash by Dr vaidyas a chavanprash in form of toffee. Can we give it to our kids?

Ans: I am not aware, if you trust the source, chyavanprash is goodyou can give.

Q18: So, there are 6 different taste as per Ayurveda. Can you guide us on how we can include those in our diet and what are benefits of doing so? It's difficult to understand which food fall under which taste.

Ans: Six tastes:

Amla- sour: sour fruits, imli, kokam , lemon, raw mango, leafy veg, fermented food

Lavan : salts

Katu: spices

Tikta: bitter food like methi karela, etc

Kashay: like amla, supari, etc.

Q19: Please elaborate on what not to eat.

Ans: Please refer to the article above.

Q20: Which food helps to ease digestion? Can be included in daily food. What's your take on hardey can I give ghasara of it to ease digestion. I feel my son's digestion is not good he has a frequent stomach ache.

Ans: In general Ajwain water can be given to aid digestion. Any medicine/ghasara should be given according to a child s body type and particular condition. please consult your Ayurved consultant.

Q21: My son has a frequent cold cough. what can be given?

Ans: A decoction made of Tulsi, lemon grass, pudina, ajwain, and jaggery can be taken daily by anybody.

Q22: Can we massage using til oil someone told it's good for skin and bones too. Does Ayurveda say that?

Ans: Yes, teel oil is good for applying on skin.

Q23: Would like to know my 7yr old, does eat. Normal food, she eats when hungry, junk...Healthy as well...She has a lot of cravings for chips and wheels...And lays.

And chocolate s,  I know a lot of wrong foods...

So my concern was regarding her flatulence...I know it's bcoz of faulty habits...And timings

How do I help in this regard?

Ans: Set up a good food culture at home. Junk days can be once in a week or two weeks. Introduce children to other childhood treats like ber, amla, raw mango etc.

Use ajwain or ginger water to aid digestion.

Q24: My queries for my 21-month-old and in general

1. My dd usually refuses to eat if she is not hungry but sometimes she accepts and keeps the food in the mouth for too long. So the meal takes about an hour. Will, that affect her digestion process? 

2. Sometimes she stops after half meal and if I feed half hr later she eats the remaining. Is the half hr gap between 2 parts of a meal ok? 

Ans: Feed only when hungry. Feeding on demand has many benefits beyond physical health. If you force feeds a child, you not only deteriorate health, also cause long term behavioral problems.

Q25: Milk and fruits are to be avoided together, can milk and dry fruits be offered together. like dry fruits used as a sweetener in a porridge; can you let us know about some important food combinations to be avoided.

Ans:  Yes, milk with dates/ almonds good.

There are many food combinations to be avoided for long term health benefits. They are called viruddha Ahar in Ayurved. e.g. milk and fruit should not be consumed in a recipe or even in the same meal. Milk should not be taken with salt and should not be taken with anything sour. Curds should never be heated. Honey should never be heated. In all our old traditional recipes, you can notice, these combinations were avoided.

Q26: Is balchaturbhadra syrup good for immunity? My son is 3.5 often complains of stomach ache, is it worms? 

Ans: You need to consult your trusted Ayurved consultant before giving any medicine. A precise diagnosis is a must before treatment.

Q27: Thanks Dr Harsha for your insights. I personally have high regards for Ayurveda. Some of it has suited my body very well interns of dhaniya powder concoction to relieve acidity, soonth powder, Sudarshan etc. 

My son is 20 months old and I have below queries - 

1. Daily Immunity builder - can we give something to boost their overall immunity whether it is calcium, iron or any other requirement

Of course, this is on the addition to a wholesome diet. 

Ans:  A wholesome diet and that should include

Halim, sesame seeds black, organic jaggery, chikoo, dadim, anjeer, dates, etc are rich sources of iron calcium and other important nutrients.  

2. Do you suggest to give 'kadvash' Daily?  something bitter to aid digestion and prevent worms. Have heard elders saying we should give Sudarshan or kakchiya ghasara everyday. ?
Ans: can be given once a week but only after consulting a doctor.

Q28: What does Ayurveda think about mixing jaggery with milk to sweeten it instead of white sugar? 

Ans: Can't mix jaggery with milk.

Q29: can you suggest a good hair oil?

Ans: in general, Teel oil/coconut oil should be boiled with brahmi, bhrungaraj and amla and this can be applied daily.

Q30: My son is very lean and low in weight. And with frequent episodes of cold his weight further drops. However, he is an active happy child. 

Can you suggest food to be a part of a daily diet which helps in increasing weight
Ans: Tulsi water/ haldi powder/ ginger water can be used for cough-cold as a primary home remedy. Apart from that, a regular balanced diet and play and sunshine.

Q31: son is 2.4 years old and on my recent trip to Matheran, for the first time I offered him hotel food.. things like dal-rice, paratha, roti-sabji.. My cousin whose son is of same age offers her everything.. bread, chocolate, sweets everything.. I wanted to understand how good it is for children... 

What is the food that we are not supposed to give our children and till what age? When can we start bread, Maida and outside cake for children?

Ans: Till 3 years age child will experience many of his firsts. All first experiences leave a mark of memories. Out of those food items will also have memories. So if you give primarily simple, local, healthy food till 3-4, you will notice that later even when introduced, your child will not crave that food much as an adult.
It is also a question of lifestyle. So do what suits you and your child.

Don't come under peer pressure. Do what feels right.

Q32: How good is idly and dosa when we visit a hotel as they are fermented

Ans: Fermented food is okay once in a while. The more time it's kept the more acids it generates. So in a climate like Mumbai, many people feel acidic with fermented food. It's ok to have some day.

Q33: We as a family eat healthily...my kids are not fussy eater we are avid travelers and eat local wherever we go...my query is now that so many "fads" come up..intermittent fasting with no grains and carbs after 8pm or only raw veg juice in 2meals, grains like wheat and dal are bad,lemon shots daily, enema every few days, eating fruits at 4am nd12noon only,eggs produce heat...how much are these true and scientific..

Ans: Fads are just that.

Fasting is scientifically proven to improve health and immunity when done regularly and in moderation. Out of all types of fasting daily moderate fasting from 7 pm to 6 am is the best form.

Q34: 1) Should we keep worrying about increasing immunity with medicines and food and not allow the child to develop their body immunity also on their own when faced with fever cold cough? 

2) breastfed or not...how can food help when ill? I mean what food to be given when ill so the body of any child or adult can get more strength to fight the illness?

Ans: Any illness occurs due to one of these two reasons.

1. Deficiencies: less

2. Overeating: excess

When you are well on ill, the body will give you signals what is needs.

In case the illness is due to any deficiencies, the body will demand rest and crave for that taste or food. And you will feel better immediately after eating.

In case, it is an infection, the body will demand rest but will demand less food or something very light.

Read those signals well and eat accordingly.

Especially in case of fever, eating semisolid/ liquid food like soup/ porridge works wonders.

Yes, the body will develop it's own immunity when given rest and a chance. A fever when gets cured my body's own immunity also leaves behind messages for immunity to fight against many other similar infections.

Not all signs require medicines, but some do. So any extreme is harmful. Balance is key to good health and immunity.

Q 34: My son eats dosa every day should I stop it? I can make batter every day if that's fine.

Ans: Eating dosa is absolutely fine. Just make fresh batter daily at home.

Q 35: What's your take on swarnaprashan? Can be given can we make it home?

Ans: Suvarnaprash Can be given. Can't be made at home. Contact your nearby trusted ayurvedic doctor.

Q 36: Had read somewhere that milk n jaggery should not be cooked together is it true? Then what can be used to sweeten milk?

Ans: Yes. According to Ayurved milk should not be consumed along with jaggery.  Add soaked dates to sweeten if required.

Q: 37 Can nachni be given every day as in summer as well

Ans: Yes. Nachni is Maharashtra s local grain. It can be given in any season. But it should not be the main/only food.

Q 38 Have heard ayurvedic medicine create heat in the body is that true?

Ans: Any medicine not given appropriately by diagnosing or without seeing body type and dose will have side effects.

Q: 39 If I make porridge with milk, jaggery cannot be used?

Ans: No. You can make porridge without milk or with buttermilk also

Q: 40 How to make ginger or ajwain water?

Ans: Boil 2 glasses of water along with 1 tsp of ginger/ ajwain powder for 10 minutes. Let it cool, filter and use to sip.

Q: 41 But fermented food won't be good for a kid right now? Only after 3-4 years of age that will be good??? Same In case of bread and Maida?

Ans: Yes. You can make Idli/ dosa at home no problem. But don't soak for more than 4 hours. And use fresh batter daily.

Readymade bread has bromides and is fermented, made with added sugar too.

Q: 42 Ideally what should be a whole day meal plan for 3.5-year olds?

: Again that depends.

But feed on demand.

For some children, 4-5 meals suffice. Some need more or less. Depending on their body type and activities level this may differ according to the season.

All adult food can be given.

Soaked dry fruits and nuts, fresh fruits, vegetables, a variety of greens and grains.

All nutrients rich food to be given in day time 

Mornings are good for dry fruits and Shira/ upma/ poha

Afternoons a square meal or proper thaali

and night dinner should be early and lighter like rice/ khichdi and sabji/ soups.

In-between if hungry give fruits/ laddoos/ chikki

Q: 43: Dr Harsha can we give daily suvarnaprashan as well?

Ans: Yes a daily suvarnaprashan can be given in special cases for a few months. But for that consult your Ayurved physician first.

Q:44 Can you the share the recipe of decoction u mentioned.. will be very helpful for kids. And how much to give to 4 years old

Ans: 3 cups of water

8-10 leaves Tulsi

8-10 leaves pudina

1/2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp ajwain

2-3 leaves lemon grass

Boil for 10 minutes while lid on

Let it cool a bit and filter to drink lukewarm.

You can add jaggery if you want.

In a day anyone can take from 1-3 cups.

1 cup for 3-4 y child.

Q: 45: My father in law insists I make haldi dudh with fresh haldi...not powder is it ok? can it be consumed throughout the year as haldi is hot?

Ans: yes. ok.

Q:46:  What is your take on various millets which are being popularised as must eat food for diabetes thyroid etc patients,?

Ans: Millets like jwari, nachni, etc are good for diabetes and other metabolic diseases. But so is Rice. Rice is very light to digest also actually good to consume in all these conditions power.

Q:47:.you say to eat different grains daily but the choice I see is limited like rice jowar nachni wheat for summer what do you advice on planning meals, for the rainy season what grains are best to use?

Ans: summers, eat jwari, nachni, rajgira

rainy season also same. 

winters, eat bajra, wheat, barley, etc.

Q:48: Is it okay to drink water in between meals?

Ans: yes ok to drink little at a time.

Q:49: Recently my daughter got gums infection in December we gave her homeopathic medicine however we can see that her gums are still little swell, what can we do to make her gums strong.

Ans: Follow a good dentist. Also gargling with neem, khadir and babool water might help.

Q:50: After grinding we leave it overnight, for fermentation, should that be avoided?

Ans: preferably avoid, yes.

All the best!

What to eat :

So,

A balanced meal is one which has all these six rasa and is heating or cooling as per season or person’s body type.

Also, 

We should eat food that grows on our land.

Also,

All food should be eaten according to it's a natural season.

A typical meal should have madhur Ras or grains as a major portion, pulses as a second major, veggies and a tiny quantity of pickle or chutney. Traditional Indian food in each state of India has a very evolved food art. Follow that. Almost all our traditional recipes are balanced and have a rich variety of species on a platter. A balanced meal should have all four types hard, solid, liquid and licking foods.

Importance of digestion:

When to eat :

Food should only be eaten when hunger is felt.

No crash dieting, no eating as per wall clock but to tune in to your body clock.

A person naturally feels hunger once all previous food is digested well. After complete digestion, your body gives you a few signals. Recognize those- you feel very light in the stomach, light in the whole body, energetic, burps are clean, you get a gurgling sound in the tummy. This time varies from person to person and according to many other factors.

So even for children, feed only on demand. Trust your child can feel hunger very well and has a natural ability to know these signals since day 1 of her life! And they will be such if you don't mask those with unnecessary intervention.

How to eat:

Also, no distraction while eating.

Ayurved recommends complete mindful eating, sitting at a hygienic, regular, pleasant place, not talking or laughing much, peacefully, chewing well and at moderate speed. This allows you to observe how you feel inside while eating. Relax before eating. Share food before starting a meal.

How much to eat :

Always eat 75% of hunger. This statement is a unique and invaluable gift of Ayurved. When you eat just right, you leave energy for your body for immunity development. Overeating and overfeeding is the root cause of 70% of today s major metabolic diseases.

Food for Children :

Three stages:

1. Only breastmilk till 6 months: Breastmilk not only provides all a to z essential nutrient to a child, it also equips the immune system and helps immunity to prevent cancer and metabolic diseases in adulthood.

2. After 6 months, start slowly introducing one food at a time. start with Rice kheer and soups made of pulses then gradually start giving vegetables, many types of local grains porridge and fruits. still, continue breastfeeding until a year.

3. Approximately, at a year gradually give regular adult food.

What not to eat :

Some food is not suitable for some people. Avoid that.

Some food is age inappropriate.

Some food is non-local, avoid that.

Some food is chemically treated by insecticide/ pesticides, etc. Avoid that.

Some food is not suitable to consume together in the same meal. Avoid that.

Some ready to eat packaged food contains preservatives which are harmful to the body. Avoid that, eat freshly cooked food as much as possible.

[Article based on Ancient Ayurvedic texts and many years of clinical experience.]

Question answer session:

Madhur- sweet: grains, fruits, sugar jaggery, milk, ghee

Many times it's the experit and excitement attached to food items, for which we eat. 

profile:

Dr. Harsha D. Kulkarni,      B.A.M.S., M.D. Ayurved ( kayachikitsa-Medicine)

Consulting Ayurved physician, Om Ayurved centre, 

Garbhasanskar - and Parenting Coach, SWAstha wellness coach. 

Experience - 18 years.