Ayurveda Optimal digestion

Ayurveda, an ancient Indian wisdom tradition, has a lot to teach us - even in our modern, Western societies. A key facet of this philosophy is caring for and paying attention to your individual digestive health.

Here we outline some of the recommendations drawn from Ayurvedic precepts, that will enhance your health and wellbeing holistically.



Eat according to your digestion
Not everyone’s agni (digestive fire) is the same. Some people have a stronger fire in the morning, or vice versa, and some are naturally blessed with a more powerful digestive system.

If you know your agni is weak, minimise cold foods and liquids, raw foods, and eating meals with a large variety of ingredients.



Stimulate your enzymes
Before and during eating, it is important to avoid diluting the enzymes in your stomach. To counter this, minimise drinking water, or any other fluid just before or while eating, and instead stimulate your enzymes by nibbling a slice of raw ginger.

If you must drink with your meals, take small sips of warm water or takram (a diluted and spiced lassi) instead.



Optimise your biggest meal
Generally our digestive fire will be at its peak between 12-2pm (may vary slightly according to your individual dosha), so make the most of this by eating your largest meal then. Try to avoid big meals after sundown, as our agni naturally decreases at this time.



Chew your food
There is an Ayurvedic saying, ‘drink your foods’, meaning you should chew each mouthful so well it is essentially a ‘drink’. The chewing process has a massive influence on your digestion, as it is one of the key stages in breaking down food and nutrients, so don’t miss this opportunity to maximise your meals. Not only will your digestive system thank you for it, you are also less likely to over-eat, and will find yourself enjoying your foods more fully.



Eat in a relaxed state
Ayurveda considers how you eat to be just as important as what you eat. Your body is far more likely to absorb and break down nutrients when you eat in a relaxed, comfortable and focussed manner, so avoid eating on the go or while reading, watching TV or completing work, as stress constricts our internal passages.



Snack smart
Snacking constantly douses our digestive fire, meaning we are ill-equipped to process the food we are consuming. If you must snack, leave it at least 2 hours between meals, and only if you are genuinely hungry. If you are eating out of boredom, try to sip some water, go for a short walk, or talk to a friend instead.



Do you use any of the suggestions above? Do you find Ayurveda to be a beneficial philosophy to incorporate in your life? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!

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