Dietary mistakes in everyday life

Dietary errors can only creep into the stress of everyday life. But in order to maintain our health and zest for life, it is important to constantly maintain the digestive fire (Agni) and so it is advisable to know and avoid the most common dietary mistakes that can lead to the formation of Ama (toxins, waste products and other artificial substances in the body). Ayurveda health theory recommends following certain eating rules that strengthen or do not weaken Agni, our digestive system, before, during and after meals. For example, cold drinks that are drunk before or during meals reduce or quench digestion and thus represent a dietary error that can be easily avoided. Other dietary errors that disturb Agni and weaken our digestion would be, for example, if:

• the food is too heavy or too abundant in relation to the digestive power.
• Hydrogenated fats and other foods that are difficult to digest should be avoided.
• is eaten too often — it is best to take a break of 5 hours between meals.
• Meals are skipped or fasting for a longer period of time.
• unhealthy, frozen, cold or old foods are consumed.
• strong stimulants (coffee, tea, alcohol) are consumed.
• In the evening, the main meal or high-protein diet is served.
• Too much uncooked food is eaten in the evening.
• is read while eating, watching TV or arguing.
• Emotions are suppressed and not “digested.”
• The diet and lifestyle does not fit your own constitution.

The widespread habit of eating between main meals is also a dietary mistake, as it interrupts the digestion process and leaves undigested food behind as Ama. At the same time, it prevents a real feeling of hunger. According to Ayurveda, hunger signals that the previous meal has been completely digested. Only now is Agni strong enough again to process food again.

She should be very careful when choosing her food. Most additives in finished products are unknown to our biochemistry and cannot be broken down or “metabolized”. In this way, they are deposited in the body and form depots there, which become dangerous time bombs as they grow. Food intolerances, allergies, skin diseases, rheumatism, gout and much more can be related to this.

When buying your groceries, make sure you get really fresh products from certified organic farming. Conventional farming not only depletes our soils, pollutes the environment and groundwater, but also your body. Artificial fertiliser produces quantity but not quality. This not only impairs the taste experience, but many vital trace elements, vital substances and vitamins are no longer available. Instead, there are residues of toxic sprays in these products.

Even if you shouldn't become dogmatic, it is recommended out of your own interest to avoid the most common dietary mistakes in everyday life and to pay attention to these things in order to live an easier, healthy and joyful life. Apart from the fact that, of course, the exception to the rule tastes all the better. And in Ayurveda, too, the following applies: The quantity alone makes the poison!

The team at Ayurveda Shunyata Villa ~ Sri Lanka wishes you lots of fun