Ayurvedic Diet

The influence of our diet on your health and constitution is central to Ayurvedic beliefs. Sages and Yogis of Ancient India believed that foods were vital carriers and balancers of energy in the body. Most diseases can be traced ultimately to incorrect diet.

Following a strict ayurvedic diet also forms part of the ayurvedic treatment method. Ayurveda emphasizes that the diet we take has a close influence on our mind and body. According to ayurveda, the mind has three possible states (tri-gunas) that are related to the three states of our physical constitution or the three-dosha types. Sattva, or peaceful equilibrium, rajas, or excessive activity and tamas, or inertia—the three tendencies or gunas of mind influence the imbalances in the three doshas. Specific dietary adjustments serve to maintain the balance of specific doshas and thus entail perfect health. Appropriate diet can be used to remove or neutralize toxins in the body, also.

Ayurveda suggests eating food until one's appetite is satisfied. When ill, one should eat only light food, and then normal food in small quantities, until half the appetite is fulfilled. One important rule in ayurveda is never to combine contradictory foods in terms of their qualities. At MITRA the diet is prepared under the supervision of Dr. Anita Mahesh from selected, fresh vegetables, fruits etc. The food you eat should complement the treatment procedures and should work as the first line of treatment. The food is selected from the traditional Kerala cuisine, but is prepared to be light with less oil & hot spices so as to give more SATTVA Energy.

Some food combinations that may rupture the balance maintained between the tridoshas are as follows:

• Milk : Fish, Bananas, Yoghurt, Sour fruit, Melons.
• Eggs : Milk, Cheese, Yoghurt, Fruits, Melons.
• Lemon : Milk, Yoghurt, Cucumber,Tomato.
• Yoghurt : Milk, Cheese, Fish, Mango, Bananana, Melons, Coffee, Tea
• Lemon : Milk, Yoghurt, Cucumber, tomato.
• Melons : Cheese, Fried Foods, Starches, Grains.