10 Indian Eating Habits That Are Beneficial For Your Health.
India is famous for its wide variety of delicious cuisines and staples throughout the season. Since the very beginning, Ayurveda has been enlightening us with ideal eating habits which means, eating the right food in the right amount and at the right time to maintain a healthy body, mind, and soul.
No matter how healthy you eat, if eaten in the wrong way it can do you more harm than good
The food, or as we Indians say ‘Aahaar’ holds a significant value in our life. We are what we eat is what our ancestors have taught us for generations. In today’s world, although the whole world is adopting the Indian way of eating, not many people are aware of how beneficial it is.
Here are the top 10 traditional Indian eating habits that you must follow every day.
1. Using Homemade spices
What makes Indian food spicy?
Indians are accustomed to using almost every spice available in every meal. This is all because of its major health benefits. Ayurveda has taught us the benefits of using spices in our diet. Spices contain an adequate amount of necessary antioxidants required to properly digest food and eliminate toxins from our bodies. Turmeric, Ginger, Cloves, Fenugreek, Cumin, etc. are some basic spices you will get to see in every Indian kitchen. They are known to enhance the taste of every cuisine, bring flavor, and even boost immunity. Apart from this, spices act as natural preservatives because of their hot nature as describes in Ayurveda texts. Bacteria and other pathogens cannot survive in the hot climate, something Egyptians learned way ahead of time.
Every Indian state has its way of using spices. The north Indian cuisines are spicier than the southern as its history is influenced by Persians and Mughals. Chilly holds major significance in north Indian delicacies.
Here are some of the Indian spices along with their health benefits.
Turmeric: has anti-inflammatory properties that heal acne. Acts as a natural blood purifier.
Fenugreek: improves physical endurance. Increases testosterone levels in men.
Cumin: improves digestion. Has a tranquilizing effect to fight stress, anxiety, and insomnia.
Clove: eases flatulence and gastric irritability
Nutmeg: ideal for kidney health and used for the treatment of the sleeping disorder.
Mustard seeds: restricts the growth of already present cancer cells and restricts the formation of new ones.
Poppy seeds: helps with cognitive functions and improves concentration.
Coriander seeds: effective in treating the common cold.
2. Sitting on the Floor
Sitting on the floor while eating is the ancient culture of not just India but many parts of the world as well. Long before man-made tabled and chairs, people used to sit on the ground whilst they ate. According to the ancient Ayurveda texts, food should be eaten while sitting on the floor in a cross-legged position or as we Indians say ‘Sukhasana.’
Sukhasana is the most basic posture in yoga. This particular yogic posture is known to awaken the digestive fire in our guts which are responsible for the proper digestion of food.
Also, you will notice that you are more aware and attentive to your food while sitting in this posture, something you normally won’t do while sitting on a chair. Sukhasana keeps our mind calm and we can focus on every aspect of our food such as color, texture, aroma, and quantity of food you should be eating.
Eating with a calm mind leads to better assimilation of nutrients from our food which then enhances overall functions of the body and mind.
Although the world is encapsulated to eat the sedentary way, few Asian countries like Japan still follow this ancient style. So next time while eating make sure to follow this and enjoy your meal.
3. Serving food on the Banana leaf
Banana leaves are the most important part of Indian culture and kitchen. Considered to be sacred, banana leaves serve as the eco-friendly plates of almost every Indian state. Banana leaves possess high amounts of ‘Polyphenols,’ a natural antioxidant similar to that found in green tea. Food, when served in these leaves, mixes with the rich antioxidants and contributes to nourishment. They have antibacterial properties that make our food even more healthy. Also, the natural wax on its surface brings additional flavor.
Eating in the banana leaf is considered the most hygienic practice as it doesn’t need to be cleaned more often for it serves as a one-time use. Almost every Indian cuisine from delicious Biryanis and Pulao to savoring Curries and Sambar, everything is served in the banana leaves. Even the most luxurious hotels in India have made banana leaves part of the culinary world. From serving to food wrapping, the leaves serve almost every purpose because of their width. And the best part: it’s hygienic, eco-friendly and doesn’t pollute the environment!
4. Eating with bare hands
Eating with a bare hand requires the presence of mind which otherwise doesn’t happen while eating with a spoon or other cutleries. Washing your hands before eating is one of the traditional practices that date back to ancient times. One must be aware of the color, texture, and temperature of the food for mindful eating. There are many benefits of eating with hands.
While eating the nerves endings in our fingers touches the lips and tongue. This triggers a signal into the brain which in turn prepares our stomach to receive the food which later helps in better assimilation of nutrients.
Apart from this Ayurveda has explained other benefits of eating with bare hands. Dr. Mini Nair, Founder and Chief Physician of Ayurhealing and Siddha Hospital explains the science behind eating with washed bare hands as-
“when we touch our food, we know the right temperature because of you take it on spoon and eat you have risk of burning the mucus lining of your oral cavities.”
Our fingers are the extension of the five elements or “The Panch Maha Bhuta,” from which a mortal body is formed. Each Five Fingers (Thumb, Forefinger, Middle, Ring, and Little finger) are the representation of the five elements (Sky, Air, Fire, water and, Earth respectively) from which a mortal body is made. The balance of all these five elements is necessary for our overall health.
5. Cooking in earthen utensil
Clay pots or earthenware has been around for thousands of years. It’s the best utensil Mother Nature has provided for cooking. Unlike today’s artificial and chemical added utensils, clay pots can add naturally occurring minerals to your food like calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, iron, copper, etc. these micronutrients are important for the normal functioning of a body.
Low heat Cooking in earthenware releases naturals oils and minerals into our food and also Balances its PH levels since clay pots are alkaline. The natural breathing earthenware contributed to even cooking and prevents the food from burning. It’s a lesser-known fact the earthen pots safeguards micronutrients even if the food is cooked for a long duration.
6. Appropriate time of Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
The ancient Ayurveda lays extra emphasis on eating the right food at the right time. Before you eat make sure to note the time of sunrise and sunset for your digestion largely depends on the sun. According to ancient Ayurveda texts, our digestive fire increases as the sun rises to its peak and slows down as the sun begins to set. No food should be consumed after sunset as it can cause the accumulation of toxins and could lead to improper digestion.
The only food recommended consuming after the sunset is ‘milk’ as it has tranquilizing properties which induce better sleep. You can sort your other two meals at your convenience and time zone.
7. No talking while eating
Observing silence while eating is a common practice in Indian culture. Silence indicates a calm mind and while eating we focus on nothing but our food. Chewing properly before swallowing allows the saliva in our mouth to mix well with the food which contributes to better digestion.
Apart from this Eating in silence can be very meditative and relaxing, thus bringing a positive aura around you. On the contrary eating in frustration, excitement, anger or talking can bring negativity in your life and health no matter how healthy you eat.
By talking we ingest more air along with the food which can cause bloating.
We say our mind and our body are strongly connected. This is why our mouth waters when we see a portion of delicious food. Similar phenomena occur while eating in silence. We become mindful of the flavors.
By observing silence while eating we are respecting the bond our mind shares with the body.
8. Going vegetarian
A lot of people have recovered from health ailments just by turning vegetarian. It is a scientifically proven fact that a high vegetable or plant-based diet can help maintain a healthy BMI, controlling cholesterol levels, and keep the body weight in proper proportion. It can keep chronic diseases at bay and can be very beneficial in the long run.
Nowadays even young athletes are adopting a plant-based dietary lifestyle. Most of the martial artists are vegetarian and their performance is quite incredible.
There is no doubt that the Indian ‘Thali’ comprises mostly of plants and vegetables. Lacking animal protein is the only flaw in the Indian diet. There are too many cooked vegetables that the protein levels are generally low. But almost every fruit and vegetable, in its raw form, has the adequate amount of protein required for the body. The problem with meat and other non-vegetarian foods especially, beef, pork is that it contains a high amount of proteins that can cause cancer. Besides this animal protein is known to be the root cause of hypertension, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases.
Over 129.5 billion pounds of meat is consumed each year across the world with Uruguay ranking on top followed by Argentina. India was among the few countries with the lowest meat consumption per capita.
9. Drinking from Copperware
Copper has numerous health benefits. Storing water in copper wares is an indirect way of consuming this mineral in its natural form. Water when stored overnight in a copper vessel absorbs a certain amount of the mineral. Ayurveda specifically insists on consuming this water in the morning on an empty stomach. This copper-enriched water can prevent water-borne diseases like diarrhea, dysentery, and jaundice itself.
Copper has anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties thus acting as a natural water purifier, unlike the modern-day RO and UV purifiers which waste much electricity. Besides, Copper in our body is not synthesized, therefore should be consumed naturally. Copper also aids in better absorption of Iron.
Here are some more Benefits of consuming copper enriched water:
Copper breaks down the fat percentage of your body aiding in weight loss.
It Improves digestion and acts as a natural healer for inflammations and ulcers in the digestive tract.
Copper is an active reagent in the treatment of wounds because of its anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. It helps in slowing down aging and keeps you young.
Copper reduces the risk of developing cancer as it’s the no. one enemy of free radicals running in our body.
Copper is very much effective in the treatment of thyroid and arthritis because of its bone-strengthening traits.
10. Avoid weird food combination
The Indian ‘Thali’ is designed in such a way that it contains every taste and nutrition in the right proportion for the optimized and balanced diet.
Eating anything excess can cause a digestive imbalance which is why certain foods shouldn’t be combined. As per Ayurveda milk cannot be combined with other food especially with those acidic in nature. Also, milk shouldn’t be taken together with other sources of rich proteins. Not because it will cause patchy skin and hyperpigmentation which is a total myth but for a different reason. Milk in itself is a complete food. Milk doesn’t digest in the stomach but in the duodenum which can hinder the digestion of other proteins.
According to traditional eating habits, liquids shouldn’t be taken along with solid foods as the forms quickly reach the intestines. It should be taken before the meal and an hour after finishing the meal.
Did you know Banana Milkshake could form toxins in your body?
Yes. Banana and milk is the heaviest food combination in Ayurveda. To balance its nature make sure the banana is fully ripe and add some Nutmeg and Cardamom to stimulate digestion.
Here are some right food combinations that are recommended by Ayurveda:
Potatoes should be taken with a pinch of Black Pepper to avoid imbalance in the digestive tract.
Have your coffee with a little pinch of Cinnamon. Coffee can excite your body for a short while but afterward, it can trigger a feeling of depression. Thankfully Cinnamon prevents it.
A boiled egg along with raw salad is the best nutritional breakfast.
Adding almonds to yogurt aids in better absorption of vitamin D.
