Healthy eating habits

[Guest guest]

There is a lot of discussion and argument about the right foods to eat.

But how many of us look at our eating habits?

 

Even basic medical textbooks talk about how we need to engage the

parasympathetic (relaxed) nervous system for optimal digestion - but do

doctors recommend sitting down and calming down before eating?

 

The same medical texts talk about the Cephalic phase of digestion - this

is when the sight, smells and anticipation of delicious food triggers

the digestive system. Do doctors advise their patients not to eat on the

run or gobble down their food?

 

The texts say the digestion of carbohydrates starts in the mouth,

withthe release of the enzyme amylase. If we chew our food properly,

itturns into a paste, and the carbohydrates start tasting sweet as

theyare converted into sugars. By the time they reach the small

intestine,they are almost fully digested and ready to be absorbed. How

often haveyou wolfed down your toast or rice, and suffered from bloating

afterwards?

 

The problem today is that there is little application of what we know.

There is a disconnect between basic theory and what health professionals

recommend. We rush headlong into filling our stomachs, then we rush

headlong into prescribing pills for the consequences.

 

If you look at all traditional cultures, they stop everything to have

meals. This includes the traditional Europeans like the French and the

Greeks. Meals are rituals; and there is a good health reason for this --

excellent digestion.

 

Excellent digestion is the key to good health. Ayurvedic practitioners

will tell you it all starts with Agni - the digestive fire. If you throw

food on the fire when it is just being kindled, you douse it, and it

takes longer to digest food. Improper digestion takes place, creating

Ama or toxin.

 

Charaka wrote over 2,000 years ago about ideal eating habits. They are

very simple guidelines and make complete sense. Here are a few:

 

* Relax before, during and after the meal

* Eat in pleasant company and surroundings

* Eat only when hungry - and eat until half full

* Eat at a moderate pace and savour the food

* Eat food that is warm and unctuous

* Avoid excessive talking and distractions while eating

I have found that following these simple guidelines has helped people

improve their digestion and reduce digestive problems.

 

Find out more about good eating habits here:

http://scienceoflife.co.nz/the-art-of-healthy-eating/

<http://scienceoflife.co.nz/the-art-of-healthy-eating/>

 

Best regards,

Gerald

Auckland,New Zealand

[Guest guest]

I am going through the postings of ayurveda quite religiously.Many

discussions are quite interesting and informative.These are definitely

useful in current fast pace of life,especially this one.Information on

exercise,food and eating habits are useful for healthy individuals.Knowing

the information and practicing are two sides of the single coin.May be after

reading for several times members can think about practicing it.But I feel

that such information should reach to the masses.In a process the population

can think about healthy and happy life. Regards,

Dr Rammesh Natu

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> There is a lot of discussion and argument about the right foods to eat.

> But how many of us look at our eating habits?