Ayurveda is a holistic approach to wellness. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, Ayurvedic medicine has been practiced for more than 5,000 years in India and and recently gained popularity throughout Western culture. Diet plays a major role in Ayurvedic medicine and is used as a tool toward maintaining balance, improving digestion and reducing risk for disease. Your doctor's guidance is important prior to making significant dietary changes.
Function
Ayurvedic philosophies emphasize the importance of seeking and maintaining balance. According to
Shantha Godagama and Liz Hodgkinson, authors of the "Handbook of Ayurveda: India's Medical Wisdom Explained," diet is one of the most significant tools for attaining balance in the body and mind. The Ayurveda diet is customized to individuals' specific needs and should provide emotional fulfilment as well as nutrition. In Western culture, people may partake in the Ayurveda diet in order to enhance wellness, longevity or manage weight.
Guidelines
The Ayurveda diet encourages people to satisfy their own nutritional needs and to eat slowly and with awareness. Natural foods are encouraged, as are appropriate food temperatures. Tableware and utensils should be kept clean, according to Godagama and Hodgkinson, and foods should be eaten in combinations that support digestion. Talking and laughing during meals and snacking between meals are discouraged.
Benefits
The Ayurvedic diet is based upon natural foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, which provide a variety of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, which are disease-fighting nutrients, and plentiful amounts of dietary fiber. It is also low in added sugars, trans fats and saturated fats, which may increase risk for numerous diseases. Though research is limited, Ayurveda practices may help to treat Alzheimer's disease, asthma, anxiety, painful menstruation, herpes, hypertension, Parkinson's disease, digestive problems, obesity and acne, according to the UMMC. Since the Ayurveda diet emphasizes mindfulness and food enjoyment, partakers' attitudes regarding food and their bodies may also improve.
Risks/Challenges
Foods involved in the Ayurvedic diet are considered safe and nutritious. However, Ayurvedic dietary supplements may pose numerous risks, such as interactions with medications. For this reason, the UMMC suggests doctor's approval prior to taking Ayurvedic herbal supplements. People who follow the Ayurveda diet strictly may find it difficult to dine at restaurants or social events, since only pure, natural foods are allowed.
Optimum Foods
The Ayurvedic diet encourages intake of plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains. While most practitioners promote a vegetarian diet, according to Godagama, and Hodgkinson, others allow fresh meats, poultry and eggs. Fresh fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, yogurt, milk, wheat, brown rice, hazelnuts and honey are considered high-quality foods that enhance vitality. Processed foods are considered poor-quality and potentially hazardous.
References
- "The Handbook of Ayurveda: India's Medical Wisdom Explained"; Shantha Godagama and Liz Hodgkinson; March 2004
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ayurveda Information
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