According to Ayurveda, for optimal digestion the best time and place for dinner consumption is during the pitta day-part when your digestive fire is at its strongest – whether that means lunchtime or midnight depending on your individual prakriti.
wellhealthorganic.com:ayurveda-dinner focus on light, warming meals that are easy to digest. Try this delicious kitchari recipe inspired by ancient wellness for an easily digestible one-pot dinner featuring chickpeas and vegetables.
1. Start with a warm drink
Proper digestion is considered the cornerstone of health in Ayurveda, so eating meals that are easier on the digestive system is of utmost importance.
Lassi, or yogurt and milk, is an Ayurvedic drink known as probiotic that helps your digestive tract absorb nutrients more effectively. Plus, its warming effects make it the ideal winter beverage!
An Ayurvedic dinner should ideally be eaten before the second pitta surge begins at 10 PM; if this is not feasible, aim to finish your meal before midway mark of evening kapha period.
2. Include all six tastes
Sweet flavors can provide comforting warmth for vata and pitta types alike, yet overindulgence may increase kapha. Ginger Dal featuring sweet potato, kale and black beans provides satisfying sweetness without becoming overindulgence or leading to food comas.
Ayurved meals tend to be low in meat. Ayurvedic recipes tend to be vegetarian or vegan and contain whole grains, legumes, veggies and spices for digestion support. For optimal health and optimal digestion, consider including all six flavors in your dinner: sweet sour salty pungent spicy bitter bitter astringent in order to provide your body with all of the vital nutrients it requires for optimal wellbeing.
3. Enjoy your meal in a relaxed atmosphere
Ayurved food incorporates six distinct tastes – sweet, salty, bitter, sour and pungent. But their balance depends on which dosha your diet supports. For instance, those who favor Kapha doshas may want to include sweet fruits. Like apples and bananas. More regularly while Pitta people should favor foods with acidity such as fish or yogurt as sources of sourness in their diets.
Sophisticated eaters must choose foods carefully when it comes to acidic or spicy food options. That could potentially upset their stomachs, while cold, hard to digest items. (e.g. ice water and frozen yogurt) must also be avoided as these dampen digestive fire.
4. Eat slowly
Eating quickly can disrupt agni. Leading to digestive distress and weight gain. By taking time to savor each bite and recognize its unique energy source. Taking the time to appreciate and digest each meal properly will allow for optimal digestion. Thus helping prevent health problems associated with improper digestion.
Ayurvedic experts advise eating a light dinner, or supper, each night to keep digestive system functioning at peak performance throughout the night. Ginger Dal is an ideal dish to do just this and provides hearty and warming comfort that’s great for soothing any upset tummies! Additionally, sweet potato, kale and black bean dishes offer ample fuel while satisfying stomachs – just remember which vegetables correspond with your dosha type; for example vata individuals should avoid cold raw foods which increase vata energy.
5. Offer gratitude
An Ayurvedic dinner can help restore balance to both body and mind. A typical Ayurvedic menu usually features all six tastes -sweet, salty, sour, bitter and astringent-along with whole grains, vegetables and an appropriate dosha-specific healthy fat (such as ghee for Vata/Pitta doshas or olive oil for Kapha ones).
Saying grace before each meal can turn your mealtime experience into a sacred ritual, offering gratitude for all of the hands who helped bring food to you and to all the hands who contributed in its preparation.
Be mindful to eat slowly and chew thoroughly! Avoid multitasking or scrolling during meals as our bodies require the quiet energy required for digestion. Aim for portion sizes equivalent to the palms of both hands held together as this should give the best digestion experience.
