Eating right is a surefire way to stay healthy, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow fad diets or consume food that has no nutritional value.
Ayurveda is an ancient healing system that has been practiced in India for thousands of years and is the foundation of many modern holistic medical practices.
Ayurveda comprises two words, ‘Ayus,’ which means life, and ‘Veda,’ which means wisdom. So, it translates to the science of life, or how to live a long, disease-free life. The art of creating balance within our body and mind through healthy eating, regular exercise, and meditation is the basis of this practice.
However, not all Ayurvedic practices are suitable for everyone. Ayurveda recommends unique dietary programs for each individual based on the vitiation (or aggravation) of the three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha – air, fire, and water. As a man who believes in living a life without compromise, here are 10 Ayurvedic tips for eating right to stay healthy:
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Start your day the Ayurvedic way:
Your day begins with your first bite, so take the time to make that bite count. Begin your day with warm water and lemon juice or an eye-opener like a cup of hot ginger tea. The hair of the dog (in moderation) is also part of Ayurveda. Have some fresh fruit juice if you go for a run and work up a thirst.
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Eat to stay warm to stay healthy.
Ayurvedic believe that warming your food or drink increases your fire element, making you feel more energetic. If you’re sick, eating warm foods can help boost your energy. Warm-up soups by placing them in a thermos before leaving home in the morning, or enjoy your oatmeal with warm milk and honey as an alternative to coffee or tea on a cold day.
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Eat to cleanse
To strengthen your immune system, you need to keep it clean. Eat foods that will help detoxify, such as ginger, turmeric, garlic, and other herbs. Ginger is especially effective in protecting the body from harmful toxins! Ayurveda teaches you to eat food to cleanse the body. The theory is that we want our cells to be alkaline, which means they should have a pH value higher than seven (your normal pH is 7.35). Toxins are acids, so your system becomes more acidic when the body has too many toxins, and your cells start to die. The best way to keep your system alkaline is by eating foods that have an alkalizing effect on the body.
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Vary Your Diet:
Eat diversely and fill your plate with various colors from different plant-based sources. The phytonutrients that give fruits and veggies their distinct colors make them valuable for your health. For example, red peppers contain carotenoids that help quench free radicals; raspberries have anthocyanins which serve as powerful antioxidants, while oranges contain limonene which supports healthy cells against infection, colds, and flu.
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Go to bed with an empty stomach.
Ayurvedic healers believe that your digestive fire will be suppressed throughout the night if you eat before bedtime. This means your body won’t be able to maintain balance and completely absorb all the nutrients from your food. This likely means you’ll wake up more tired than when you went to bed, rather than more refreshed from a good night’s sleep. So before you turn in for the night, have a light dinner and avoid late-night snacking.
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Choose Your Food Wisely:
Your choices in food, such as what you eat, when you eat, and how much you eat, can impact your overall health. Experts suggest choosing fresh, unprocessed foods over heavily processed items.
Make sure you eat your grains!
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Do not avoid eating grains and all their healthy carbohydrates.
Grains are a key energy source, help stabilize blood sugar, and provide fiber. In addition, whole grains are ideal because they help replenish the nutrients lost in processing.
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Stay Hydrated
The skinskin is the largest organ in the human body, which means that hydration plays a huge role in regulating internal temperature for optimal immune function.
In Ayurveda, water is considered a healing force, so staying hydrated is essential for the immune system and overall wellness.
You may think that drinking a lot of water is unhealthy, but what’s happening is that it’s flushing out your system, helping your body to eliminate toxins from your lymphatic and urinary systems. Experts from Tailwind Nutrition products believe it all comes down to changing your perspective, especially when staying hydrated.” Tailwind products are a great way to stay hydrated while enjoying the things that you love,” said an expert from Tailwind Nutrition products. “When you make them a part of your everyday routine, you’ll notice an improvement in how you feel.
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Ailments should not act as guides:
Ailments should not act as guides:
Ayurveda says that if a person has a disease and consumes food that is not favorable for the disease, it aggravates the disease or causes a new disease. For example:
Don’t consume foods with plenty of water or milk content when you have any digestive disorders. Similarly, when you suffer from constipation and consume foods containing water like melon, cucumbers, or raw carrots, it will do more harm than good. One must follow nature’s rule that is suitable for your body.
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Make every meal a meditation.
For ultimate absorption and digestion, try this powerful meditation that deeply connects the body and mind to the food we eat. First, inhale deeply three times through the nose before you begin stirring the pot. Then as you stir, recite a mantra that anchors your consciousness to your food. For example, saying “I am cooking for my health” or “I am cooking for my family” is good to start.
(If you are not comfortable with a mantra, just thinking about what you are doing will suffice.)
We recommend using this method with every meal! It connects you to your food on an energetic level and infuses every bite with love and gratitude. And that’s what eating right is all about: taking care of our bodies and souls through every bite we take.
Final words
From a half-moon made of dried mango slices to a soup of hearty lentils, there are plenty of ways to eat your way to a stronger immune system. By following these Ayurvedic tips for eating right to stay healthy, you will reap the benefits of each dish and ensure that you have the power to withstand whatever comes your way.
Want to unlock greater wellness?
Listen to our friends over at Wellness Force Podcast to unlock your genetic potential with Dr. Ben Lynch: