Ayurveda’s take on the concept of eating raw food

 Ayurvedic
Dec 162019
 

Incurred more than 3,000 years ago, the essence of Ayurveda is based on the ancient thinking & the true meaning of health. Ayurveda has the capability of relieving the symptoms of certain diseases. It is the herbal remedy that balances the wellness between mind & body.

Why Does Ayurveda Suggest Avoid Eating Raw Food | Raw Food Diet Guide

Ayurveda has its set norms that one should follow to have an active & healthy life. Ayurveda practices and home remedies have many beneficial properties, but it is a necessity to follow the diet as well. Nowadays, many people are following a trend of eating raw veggies as a part of their diet plan.

What is the concept of raw food diet?

The raw food is ideally completely uncooked, to preserve the nutrients & enzymes in its natural form. According to experts, uncooked food incorporates healthy nutrients & natural enzymes that are lost if the food gets cooked. It is said that raw food helps in losing weight and to stay fit. Cooked food makes detoxification harder than that of raw food, which helps in relieving headaches, allergies, etc.

What does Ayurveda say about eating raw food?

As per Ayurveda, eating raw food can cause problems like improper digestive functioning, food poisoning, kidney issues, bowel movement issues and many more. Ayurveda advises to eat cooked or at least partially cooked food for maintaining good health. Food like fruits, nuts and some selective vegetables like cucumber, carrots, and radishes can be eaten raw, but some need to be cooked.

What are the benefits of cooked food?

  • Cooked food gives us multiple benefits such as:
  • Cooked food is easy to digest
  • Warm food helps with smooth blood flow to your gut
  • Cooked food breaks down easily and aids in proper nutrients absorption
  • A cooked food kills bacteria that prevent food poisoning

Ayushakti suggests eating cooked or partially cooked food for better health and also to avoid certain digestive issues, nutrient deficiencies, etc. along with incorporating healthy food habits like including salads in a daily diet, washing leafy vegetables properly, having small meals at alternate hours, etc. Ayushakti also recommends detoxification once every six months, which will help in rejuvenating the body.

Visit the nearest Ayushakti clinic to get the best diet plan as per your body needs. Ayushakti has a team of Ayurveda experts who will guide you with the best suitable diet plans that will help you to stay fit and healthy. Contact us on our toll-free numbers 18002663001 (India) & +18002800906 (Global) or email us at info@ayushakti.com for more details.

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Healthy Eating from Early to Late Summer

 Acupuncture
Jun 032019
 
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Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM is all about balance. In this ancient system, the key to health is to move through the world in such a way that our bodies can remain in homeostasis, in balance. This idea connects to sleep patterns, what we eat and ultimately the flow of Qi, or energy, throughout the body. For that reason, healthy eating in summertime, according to TCM, is all about using cooling foods to balance out how hot it is outside. In other words, we can find homeostasis from the inside out.

With that in mind, here are a few suggestions for healthy foods to keep you cool and active all summer long.

Fresh fruits like watermelons, strawberries, tomatoes and pear are cooling and have strong yin energy. Summer meals should be predominately fresh fruits or vegetables, according to TCM. These food groups have the strongest yin energy, balancing out the fierce yang and fire energies of summer.

Fresh vegetables that are in season in your region are also a great choice, especially cooling vegetables like cucumbers, spinach, lettuce, peppers, celery, radish, carrots and cauliflower. Vegetables have the second highest yin energy, according to TCM.

Summer herbs like basil, cilantro, parsley and mint are a great, healthy addition to most recipes. These herbs are also natural diuretics and heavy-metal detoxifiers, which flush excess waste from the body.

The best foods to eat vary with geography. If you live in a place where summer days are long, but not very hot and the nights get really cool, incorporate more neutral or even warming fruits and vegetables into your summer smorgasbord. These fruits and vegetables can include most varieties of squash, especially pumpkin, butternut and acorn squash, lentils and legumes, whole grains like brown rice and root vegetables like beets, potatoes and parsnips.

In places with cooler summers, or during late summer, the fifth season according to TCM, diet is about prioritizing self-nourishment so it can be utilized as energy. Late summer is the time to choose smart sugars that won’t clog up the spleen pathway, including apples, carrots, dates, figs, grapes, peaches, pears, sweet potatoes and squash. These smart sugars also regulate the body’s blood sugar, which decreases the strain on the pancreas.

For those whose summer climate is hot, here is a recipe for a cooling, detoxifying water you can drink all summer long to keep yourself in balance.

Cooling detox water:

  • 1 lemon
  • 1 lime
  • ½ cucumber
  • 16oz. Water
  • Bunch of fresh mint

Slice the lemon, lime and cucumber and add to the water. Stir in the mint. Let it sit in the fridge overnight and enjoy chilled.

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Eating Well for Springtime

 Acupuncture
Apr 012019
 
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Traditional Chinese medicine says aligning your diet with the seasons is one of the best ways to stay healthy. Mother Nature provides exactly what we need to be healthy. Paying attention to the fruits, vegetables and herbs that grow during different seasons in the region where you live is a great way to incorporate the philosophies of traditional Chinese medicine into your own life and access greater healing.

In the spring, TCM suggests eating cooling foods to balance out the effect of warmer temperatures outside.

TCM also suggests taking the time to be mindful about the environment and energy around you when you eat. If you are stressed out or rushing when you eat, that will affect how your body is able to process the nutrients you’re consuming. Breathe deeply, chew well and take the time to digest your food.

For more spring in your step, here are four specific foods that can support your health and wellbeing this spring.

Lemon: In traditional Chinese medicine, the organ associated with spring is the liver and the flavor associated with the liver is sour. Sour foods, like lemons, help flush toxins from the liver. Adding fresh lemon to a cup of warm water each morning is a great, simple, practice that will do wonders for your liver.

Greens: Fresh leafy greens are most plentiful during the spring, and eating them is associated with cleansing and building. The bright green color of leaves comes from chlorophyll, which is a wonderful healing agent. Any greens, but especially those darker in color, like spinach or wild greens such as dandelion greens, are very beneficial.

Asparagus: Asparagus is a finicky plant with a short growing season: spring. Make a point to catch this plant powerhouse. Asparagus is full of vitamins A, C and K as well as folate and fiber. According to TCM, asparagus builds the nourishing fluids in the body, meaning it soothes irritation and helps fertility. It also promotes healthy lungs, clearing congestion and conditions like bronchitis.

Fruits and vegetables: In general, spring is the time of year when more fruits and vegetables become available locally. Peruse your local farmer’s market or take note of any produce in the grocery store that’s labeled “local.” Incorporate these items into your diet in abundance!

Try incorporating these foods and cleansing principles with this delicious spring salad!

Asparagus, snap pea and quinoa salad

Feeds 4-6

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 1 cup fresh snap peas, strings removed and cut into small diagonals
  • 1 bunch asparagus, cut into small diagonals
  • 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • Fresh mixed greens
  • Sliced avocado

Dressing:

  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ⅓ cup cilantro, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Boil two cups of water in a small pan. Add the quinoa and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
  • Bring another pot of water to a boil and add the asparagus. Cook the asparagus in the boiling water for 1-2 minutes until just tender. Quickly drain in a colander and rinse with cold water.
  • In a large bowl, mix the quinoa, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Add the garlic and cilantro. Then, mix in the snap peas, asparagus and chickpeas. Serve over the mixed greens and top with sliced avocado.

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Ayurvedic Reason to Soak Nuts and Seeds before Eating

 Ayurvedic
Dec 022017
 

Nuts and seeds are the part of a healthy diet. They play a vital role in preventing disease form our body and keep us healthy as we grow. Nuts and seeds consist of fiber, minerals, vitamins and healthy fats which help to reduce the inflammation in our body and it also reduces the risk of heart disease.

Ayurveda celebrates nuts and seeds as super foods. According to Ayurvedic diet, intake of all types of nuts and seeds in moderation, butters and milks are healthy. Nuts and seeds have been one of the staples of foods for ages across different cultures, various countries all over the world. Nuts and seeds provide lubrication and nutrition to body, skin, joints and hair. Nuts and seeds functions as a good fuel for gastrointestinal fire (heart burn).

Purpose of Soaking Nuts and Seeds

Naturally, a seed or nut normally gets enough moistness from rain to wash-down the acids and enzyme inhibitors so it can take root and yield a plant. By soaking nuts and seeds before we eat, we are imitating nature by neutralizing these toxic growth inhibitors by discharging the natural enzymes and energy within them.

Soaking also makes the nuts and seeds easier to digest. The nutrients in them will be easily and fully absorbed by the body. Nuts and seeds are also soaked to get rid of the dirt, dusts and tannins. Please note we are not supposed to use the water used for soaking nuts and seeds.

The water contains inhibitors and toxic substances like enzyme inhibitors, phytates (phytic acid), polyphenols (tannins), and goitrogens.

We can either use warm water to soak the nuts and seeds. Seeds and nuts contain phosphorus in form of phytic acid. It binds to a mineralit and becomes phytate. This process stops nutrients from being engrossed in the digestive system and reduce the digestibility of these foods.

To make these enzymes ineffective we can add little amount of salt in the water before soaking the nuts and seeds.

Benefits of Soaking Nuts and Seeds

Remove Phytic Coating

Phytic acid coats the raw nuts externally. It actually benefits the nuts but not humans. It may lead to gastrointestinal problems and obstruct the absorption of nutrients. Especially, nuts are rich in minerals, which are not absorbed. Soaking nuts before eating removes phytic acid coating.

Nuts and seeds are especially high in phytic acid which can be removed through the process of soaking (and sometimes sprouting) and drying to further reduce the anti-nutrient content. Soaking is still recommended for ease in blending and for nutritional purposes.

Remove Tannins

Soaking removes the enzyme inhibitors which coats the nuts and seeds to protect them. It is critical to those who are already suffering from digestive problems. Tannins is another element, which may lead to digestive and gastric problems.  Besides, there are many with allergic reaction to Tannins. Eating it aggravates the health issues, if the individual is sensitive to it.

So, soaking remove the tannins from the nuts and seeds.

Soaking nuts before eating them also helps to rinse out the colon thus removing the harmful toxins. It also helps in the better absorption of nutrients

Process of Soaking Seeds

Soaking nuts and seeds required two major things. You can either soak in normal water or warm water.

  • Warm water
  • Sea salt

Take warm water (enough to cover the nuts completely) in a glass bowl or jar and mix sea salt to it. Soak the nuts and seeds for 10 to 12 hours. Drain out the soaked water and completely rinse the nuts.

You can either refrigerate the soaked nuts, after drying. You can dry the nuts in a dehydrator or under the natural sunlight. Once it is fully dried, store in an airtight container.

Alternatively, you can eat nuts within 24 hours or include in cooking or otherwise.

Why warm water and salt?

Ayurveda highlights, soaking nuts and seeds in warm water give added benefits. Soaking in warm water will deactivate all the enzyme inhibitors. It effectively increases the bio-availability of the micro nutrients.

Salt is natural preservative. Adding salt to the nuts and seeds gives more benefits. The salt helps in activating the enzymes that deactivate the enzyme inhibitors present in nuts.

SOAKING TIME OF COMMON NUTS

     
NUTS &SEEDS SOAKING TIME (Hrs.) SPROUTING TIME (Days)
Almonds 8-12 No sprouting
Barley 6 2
Black beans 8-12 3
Brazil Nuts 3 No sprouting
Cashews 2-4 No sprouting
Chickpeas 8 2-3
Flax seeds ½ No sprouting
Hazelnuts 8-12 No sprouting
Macadamias 2 No sprouting
Pistachios 8 No sprouting
Pumpkin seeds 8 3
Sunflower seeds 8 12-24 hrs
Walnuts 4 No sprouting
Pecans 6 No sprouting
Oat grouts 6 2-3
Quinoa 4 2-3
Wheat berries 7 3-4

 

Points to note after soaking nuts

  • Since the water removes the coatings of enzyme inhibitors, it should be drained.
  • Rinse the soaked nuts and seeds properly
  • It is also recommended to do a final rinse with a diluted solution of apple cider vinegar or salt water rinse.

Include nuts and seeds in any form in your diet, regularly.

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Eating Right for Your Body Type

 Acupuncture
Nov 202017
 
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Five Elements

Traditional Chinese Medicine, a medical system that has been around for nearly 3,000 years, views the body differently than modern medicine. When the body is broken down to its core, its tiniest molecules can be classified as energy. This means every element of the universe resides within the human body, to some degree. And every organ has its own properties and energies that must remain balanced for the body to function properly. The energies within the body must be a perfect synergy of elements. This allows for homeostatic balance, biochemical balance, longevity and harmony between the body and mind.

The food we put in our mouths can either fuel us or slowly kill us. By knowing which body type we fit into based on the five elements, wood, fire, water, earth or metal, we can then eat a balanced diet that will allow us to remain healthy and strong throughout our lives. Here are some guidelines that may be helpful.

The wood element body type tends to be slender with a long face, body and fingers, similar to a tree. The liver, gallbladder, tendons, ligaments and sinews are all controlled by the wood element. Recommended foods for the wood body type include anything sour, and green foods with stalks. Make sure to exclude alcohol, processed foods, high fat foods and most dairy, as these foods can restrict the free flow of energy and blood, while wreaking havoc on the function of the wood element.

The fire element body type tends to possess a pointy nose, chin and top of the head. The fire element body is shaped like a torch, pointed on the top, narrow at the bottom and flared in the middle. The fire element handles the circulatory, glandular and immune systems. This includes the heart, small intestine and the lymphatic system. Recommended foods for the fire body type include bitter foods, grains, vegetables, dark leafy greens, beans and seeds. These foods tend to keep the fire at bay, avoiding an overabundance. Foods to avoid include chocolate, salt, meats, stimulants and hot spices.

The water element body type has a tendency towards “thickness.” The face tends to be large and round, with a wider base, while the body is full and chubby. The water element rules the kidneys, bladder, bones, nerves and teeth. Recommended foods for the water element body type include pure water (not what is contained in juices, coffee, etc.), blue, purple and black foods, root vegetables and seaweeds and seafood. Foods to avoid include sugars, alcohol, caffeinated drinks, frozen and excessively raw foods.

The earth element body type tends to be short in stature, with a short body, short fingers and neck. The face tends to be square, while the body is pear shaped with rounded buttocks. The earth element rules the digestive and structural systems within the body. This includes the stomach, spleen and muscles. Recommended foods for the earth element body type include root vegetables, leafy greens and light proteins such as legumes and fish. Foods to avoid include refined carbohydrates, dairy, iced drinks and processed foods as they gunk up the digestive system and overtax the spleen and stomach.

The metal element body type tends to have defined facial features and broad, square shoulders. However, their features tend to be thin in nature, such as thin lips and eyelids. The metal element rules the intestinal, respiratory and skin systems, as well as assisting with the immune system. Recommended foods include those that have a dispersing effect and promote energy circulation. Foods sour in nature are best for this body type. Also foods high in minerals like leafy greens and vegetables are good choices. Foods to avoid include dairy, red meat and bitter foods.

Once we know our elemental body type, we can effectively nourish our body without wreaking havoc. For more information, contact a licensed acupuncturist in your area.

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Mindful Eating – Your best weapon for weight loss

 Naturopathy
Jun 142017
 

Diets are the most unreliable way to achieve weight loss. Study after study shows that people regain the weight that they lost, plus more. Five years after following a diet, most people have gained the weight back and 40% have gained more weight back.


If diets worked then obesity would not be the epidemic that it is today.

What is mindful eating?

Mindful eating is the act of eating with intention and attention.

Mindful eating is about turning off auto-pilot when it comes to eating.

Mindful eating is about stopping for a moment and tuning into your hunger signals to really see what they are telling you.

Mindful eating is learning to understand your bodies signals so that you eat when you are hungry and you stop when you are satisfied. Most weight gain boils down to eating when you are not hungry.

Are your hunger signals emotionally based?

This is a biggie. As children, we are often conditioned (or bribed) with food to soothe us when we are hurt or sad. Years of doing this conditions the brain to seek food when we are feeling hurt or sad. The big problem with this is the type of food that we have been conditioned with. If Mum and Dad came running to us with something sweet when we were upset as a child, chances are it is something sweet that you will seek out as an adult when you are sad or having a stressful day.

How do we eat mindfully?

  • Listen to your body, both physically and emotionally.
  • Work out what food makes your body feels good.
  • Sit down to regular meals without distractions.
  • Sit with your hunger and assess if you are really hungry and if you are, what is it that you are really wanting to eat.
  • Maybe you are just thirsty, not hungry.
  • Sense how the food feels in your body and stop eating before you feel full.

The benefits of mindful eating

  • Reduced over-eating. The simple process of reducing your food intake will allow for slow, but effortless and long-lasting weight loss
  • Improved digestion. Eating mindfully makes you slow down your eating, allowing your digestive system to process your food better. You will also be more inclined to eat foods that feel good in your body.
  • Increased enjoyment of eating. Mindful eating will help you to dissolve the emotional relationship that you have with certain foods. You will appreciate the food that you have and the positive choices that you have made for your body.
  • Guilt free eating. When you eat mindfully you will allow yourself to have treats when your body truly wants them. Finally, you can have that piece of cake at a birthday party and know that you are choosing to enjoy this slice of cake as a part of a celebration. You will often find that you might only have a few bites of the cake as this is all your body really feels like.

“Mindful eating is not a diet. There are no menus or recipes. It is being more aware of your eating habits, the sensations you experience when you eat, and the thoughts and emotions that you have about food. It is more about how you eat than what you eat.” – Susan Albers

Learning to eat mindfully doesn’t happen automatically. Like any new habit, it takes repetition to become automatic.

I challenge you to start today, at your next meal to just stop for a moment and see what your body is telling you that it needs. 

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