3 minute read
dr. Chhavi rosha
AYurvEdICAllY!!!
THE idEAl WinTER diET “AyuRvEdiCAlly!”
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Winters are indeed that time of year when our appetite increases naturally leading to increased consumption of meals but do you know how this sudden change in our eating pattern happens? Let’s decipher this secret from the outlook of Ayurveda.
JATHARAGni : THE Body fiRE
As per Ayurveda, our digestion is governed by our Jatharagni or Digestive fire which can be correlated with the food metabolism. This Agni that is situated in Grahani or the Duodenum (first part of the small intestine) is known to be responsible for playing a key role in maintaining overall health of the body. This Agni or Jatharagni can be classified into four types –1. Sama-Agni: Indicates optimal status of Agni in body due to equilibrium of Tridoshas-Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. 2. Vishama-Agni: Indicates irregularities in metabolism due to imbalance of Vata Dosha. 3. Teekshna-Agni: Indicates aggravated metabolism due to imbalance of Pitta Dosha. 4. Manda-Agni: Indicates sluggish metabolism due to imbalance of Kapha Dosha
sTATus of AGni in WinTER sEAson
Environmental factors are notable in determining the status of Agni and Doshas in the body as both are interrelated. In winter season, the chilly and cold winds directly impact the body fire resulting in igniting it which leads to increased appetite. In strong individuals, good appetite results in healthy growth of dhatus and thus immunity whereas not having adequate food results in malnourishment as the Rasa Dhatu begins to deplete. Moreover, the winters being cool, dry and chilly in nature are known to vitiate vata dosha hence it becomes more important to protect the Agni from getting vitiated and imbalanced. The ideal winter diet
The right food if eaten at the right time can produce astounding effects, so is the case in this season. So let’s understand what’s the right foods to eat in winThe Ancient Ayurveda | Nov-Dec 2020 | Page 19 ter from the Ayurvedic perspective. 1. Since the winters are the season of Vata, foods possessing properties antagonistic to this dosha should be consumed. Food with dry, cold, and rough properties and bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes should not be consumed. 2. Dairy and dairy products especially A2 cow or buffalo milk, curd, buttermilk, butter, ghee and paneer are your best friends in the winters. Who doesn’t loves having warm milk in chilly winter nights whilst covered in blankets or savoring the sips from buttery lassi with bajra khichdi on sunny winter day! 3. Newly harvested grains and cereals are best to consume in this season as they being dominant in Kapha helps in keeping problems associated with Vata at a bay. 4. If you’re the one who can’t resist sweets then this is the season to indulge in sweet savory homemade delicacies like kheer, gond laddoos, tila and moongfali gajjaks that not only boosts your energy but builds you immunity as well. 5. Jowar, Bajra and Makki are must add for the season as they not only goes well with the saag, methi, bathua and palak exclusive to the winters but also helps in keeping your doshas in equilibrium thus maintaining your health 6. Dates, Apple, Papaya, Oranges, Beetroot, Carrot and Amla are your best friends of this season as they are not just fruit or salad but a bowl full of antioxidants and vitamins that our body needs to survive this cold windy climate.
Winters are indeed a heaven for foodies! Indeed the body’s increased metabolic demand increases the appetite but that doesn’t gives us liberty to consume even the unfavorable things and junk foods. Mindful eating in this season can go a long way in maintaining the body’s inherent defensive responses against infections and diseases in the successive seasons. Hence it’s always recommended to eat judiciously as the food we eat makes us what we are!
