Health is a condition of the body and mind which allows a person to reach his/her maximum potential. Many spiritual saints have proved in the past that through certain practices, Human body can be preserved for a very long period and the aging process can also be slowed down. While these practices have wavered between the elements of Spiritual, Physical, Food, Meditation and exercise to get optimum results. We will touch upon those that are exclusively diet related and easy to pursue in contemporary lives. These dietary habits, coupled with yoga and meditation, are an ideal package to attain holistic wellness of the mind and body.
To maintain good health, the most significant aspects are diet related,
Breakfast Diet:
Early in the morning before brushing your teeth, consume half to one liter of lukewarm water. It detoxifies the entire system. Bed tea or hot coffee taken in an empty stomach can prove to be harmful in the long time. After half an hour it is advisable to eat some fresh papaya. Then after a brief interval have some good quality porridge (Dalia). The porridge should neither be too thick nor too thin in consistency. The salt content should be very low. You can add some boiled vegetables to it. One may sometimes have sprouts for breakfast in order to compensate any protein loss.
Lunch & Dinner Diet:
One hour before meals, one may consume a plate of fruit or vegetable salad. The fruits or vegetables should be fresh. Avoid using salt, pepper or lime juice as it nullifies the properties of the salad. The fruits and vegetables should be washed in lukewarm water before they are consumed because formers tend to use organic fertilizers to grow them, the remnants of which can be very harmful.
A proper lunch should consist of a balanced diet. The food should be absolutely fresh and not overcooked. The significance is not in the richness or quantity of food consumed, but in its assimilation into the digestive system. It is best to avoid oily, spicy or pungent food. It is always better to take yogurt or curd rather than milk since it is always difficult to digest the latter. Some vegetables are best eaten raw and unpeeled (after washing properly) rather than cooked.
Avoid the consumption of excessive protein like pulses, Rajma, Chhole etc since it may enter the blood stream in the form of uric acid and other ammonia like compounds, which can cause gout, arthritis, kidney ailments, constipation or liver diseases. Therefore heavy protein should be consumed only once every alternate day. Do not consume water during the meals or till one hour post lunch.
One must consume 50 to 100 gms of leafy vegetables such as fenugreek leaves, spinach, radish leaves or mustard leaves as they contain rich minerals and vitamins. Amla is good in any form if taken during meals. Avoid non-vegetarian food as it enhances mental and physical aggression, anger and heart ailments that hinder that progress during meditation. Yogis in India, have always preferred to eat light Satvik food that keeps the mind and body light and agile. If it is not possible to rule it out completely, then the quantity should be reduced substantially.
Sugar and salt in excess, pickles are harmful. Many food items already possess adequate quantity of salt and sugar. Therefore these should be used sparingly. Pickles which are full of acids, cause grave chemical reactions in the long run causing hyper tension, acidity or ulcers.
Although too much of ginger should be avoided, measured quantities are advisable owing to its therapeutic value. It is ideal for all respiratory infections, cough and asthma. Ginger juice mixed with honey and black pepper is ideal for preventing and curing cold. It is better to cook it rather than to consume raw, since cooking does not ruin its health bestowing properties.
Supper should be taken at least two hours before retiring to bed. It should be as light as possible. It may consist of one bowl of vegetable.
