What is so different about eating from an Ayurvedic perspective? To put in the most simplest terms food is the substance or the real physical matter of which a person consists of and which has a tangible and solid presence so, in a nutshell the substances we choose to eat become us. Our food has a direct effect on our dosha so food can affect how we feel, our mood, how we look, how we act and it also has a big impact on our health as well as our ill health. We simply are What We Eat!
Good quality food is filled with Life Force (prana), so its not too much to do with what the food looks like or smells like its more about the foods properties and qualities. The quality of food includes how it has been grown and the properties of food include what it contains. If we choose to eat good quality food our bodies will feel good and if we eat processed or rubbish food we will feel just that. Foods with good qualities and properties are filled with Prana, these are substances like organically grown fresh Fruit and Vegetables for example. What is just as important is how they are taken in to the body, the quantity that is taken in, how often we eat, in what combination and what time of day all has a significant effect on how our body digests, absorbs, assimilates and transforms the nutrients in our food to nourish our bodies.
Now, what we eat everyday and what we should be eating are two very different things and too much of what we shouldn’t be eating can have serious effects on our bodies, but how are we to know? Firstly, we need to find out who we are, just because somebody else enjoys eating Salads for example and they look and feel good doesn’t mean that the same type of food will be as good or right for another person to eat!
Ayurveda classifies the composition of the Universe into five elements which are known as the Panchamahabhutas. Every living or non living thing on this planet is made up from the five elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. So we as human beings have been made from a combination of these elements that combine to give us our different forms.This is where Ayurveda and its 5000 year old wisdom makes the difference as firstly through visiting Woodlands Ayurveda and having a Consultation you find out who you are (your DNA) or your Prakruti and what combination of elements you are made from to form your tangible and solid presence. Knowing your Prakruti allows you to bring the right type of food inside of your body. Additionally, if you body has already started to show signs of disease then knowing what a particular food substance is capable of to cause the disease, can also help in knowing what another food substance is capable of in counteracting the effect to reverse it
Ayurvedic Definition of Health
“One who is established in Self, who has balanced dosha, balanced agni (digestive fire), properly formed dhatu (tissue systems of the body like muscle, fat, blood, etc), proper elimination of mala (wastes products like faeces, urine and sweat), well functioning srotamsi (bodily processes) and whose mind, soul and senses are full of ananda (bliss), is called a healthy person.”
— from Sushruta Samhita “definition of health”