By Veero Kanda
Eating habits in Western countries have deviated away from nature with the changes in lifestyle. A typical Western diet is high in saturated fats, refined sugar, meat, and commercially processed foods. The foods typically deviate away from “Nature”-fresh fruits and vegetables and lead to nutritional deficiencies because of the preservatives and processing they go through. Such foods and diets are hazardous to the health. These nutritional deficiencies further lead the Typical American to substitute with a Multivitamin. These days there are Multivitamin formulations for everything “Eye Health”, “Kidney Health”, “Liver Health”, “Prostate Health”, “Breast/Women’s Health”, etc. However, the natural aspects within fresh naturally grown foods that not only provide the optimum nutrients/minerals cannot be compensated through Vitamin pills.
In the USDA food guidelines, the ratios of portions from food groups are in the the same ratio e.g. a female requires less calories than a male, so the quantity is lower, however, the ratio of portions for each food group is the same as it declares it a “Balanced diet”. Basically a 2 year old, a 12-year old, or a pregnant woman- are all getting the same proportions just different quantity. Moreover, it is encouraged to eat 7-8 small meals throughout the day especially for those attempting to lose weight. However, Ayurveda emphasizes on following the natural rhythms of the body and eating when hungry with our biggest meal during sunrise and not at sunset.
Ayurvedic approach is essential to take into consideration the different constitutions that require a specifically tailored plan based upon the individual’s body’s requirements as opposed to just sticking to one Ratio/proportion for every individual regardless of age/gender. One of the most shocking facts is that regardless of the abundance of food supply in the West, we still have Vitamin deficiency and become dependant on Vitamin supplements.
That within itself, is a red flag as to because the abundant food we are receiving is processed, artificially grown, enriched with chemicals, additives and toxins that are not providing us with the essential nutrients that naturally, natural grown foods would give us. This is also because we are not taking the foods that are most compatible with our individual constitution and Agni type, thus minimizing the absorption of nutrients leading to deficiencies. We have also deviated away from the proper eating habits and rules that are most compatible with our individual constitutions- not overeating, not starving oneself, and not mixing raw and cooked foods. By deviating away from our specific constitution requirements, we are accumulating Ama, diminishing nutrient absorption, and giving rise to disease formation.
By knowing which particular foods or meals are not compatible for a particular constitution, one can optimize the absorption of nutrients from food and thus avoiding accumulations of “Ama” and lead an optimum lifestyle and longevity. Aside from the individually tailored Ayurvedic plan tailored to each constitution, Ayurveda gives consideration to cooking preparation, storage, times, seasons, prakrīti, vikruti, stage environment, lifestyle, food habits as well. In addition to this, Ayurveda looks at health as the whole body in terms connecting the Mind, Body and Spirit for a harmonious lifestyle.
