The great Ayurvedic physician Acharya Charak has explained about the disciplined dietary guidelines as Aahar vidhi vidhan. It is a set of guidelines for having food and liquids, helping people to achieve proper digestion, assimilation and overall health. It can help prevent diseases caused by poor eating habits. It mentions the type of food, the quantity, the place of having food and the timing etc. The guidelines are:
• Ushnam ashniyat: Eating the warm freshly prepared food
• Snigdham ashniyat: Eating unctuous food
• Matravat: Eating in the right quantity
• Jeerne ashniyat: Having another meal only after the digestion of previously taken food
• Virya avirudha ahara: Eat food that’s compatible with your body
• Ishte Deshe / Ishtas Sarvopakarana: Eating in a pleasant, clean and desired place
• Na atidrutum ashniyat: Eating moderately (not too fast). Do not eat in hurry
• Na ativilambitam Ashniyat: Don’t eat too slowly (not too slow)
• Eating at fixed times: Eating at regular timings like breakfast between 7 to 9 AM, lunch between 12 to 2 PM and dinner between 6 to 8 PM
• Ajalpan, Ahasan, Tanmana Bhunjeeta: Eating with utmost concentration (with tann-mann), avoid talking or laughing while eating food
Reference: Charak Samhita Vimansthan 1/24
Dr. Neelam, Dept of Ayurveda