Diet and health are closely related. Food provides body the necessary energy to do various functions. But a majority of us do not know which type of diet to take. In reality we do not know about the elements our body requires and from which source to obtain them.
Various types of eatables have different types of nourishing elements in them which are necessary to keep various organs of our body active. For example, milk contains a lot of Vitamin A which is necessary to protect the body against ailments. Its deficiency makes one sick and weak sighted. Our body requires a proper balance of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. If a proper diet is taken along with chromotherapy then it shows excellent results. It should be remembered that along with medicines a patient also requires a good diet and should take only a diet that consists of a lot of vegetables, fruit juices, etc. Heavy food puts burden on life energy.
A regular diet is required for old ailments. It should not contain refined or starchy foods like bread or polished rice. Pulses and grains should be cooked with their husk. Husk mixed in the grain aids the digestive juices on one hand and on the other hand clears the way for the food from the mouth to the kidney. Peels are disallowed only to those patients who suffer from swollen stomach or intestines or loose motions. As far as possible fried food and meat should be avoided. Fruits and vegetables should be eaten mainly because they are easy to digest and assimilate in the body quickly.
Tasty food keeps the mind happy and is also beneficial. In bile ailments foods which are cold in nature and in phlegm ailments foods which are hot in nature should be taken. There are six types of tastes— sweet, salty, sour, bitter, spicy, astringent
The digestive system begins with our mouth. Nature has given us mouth to chew. Make it a habit to chew every morsel 10-15 times even if it is soft and delicate. Those who chew fast consume excess sugar. Diabetes can be controlled by chewing food properly. Improper chewing puts burden on the stomach and when the stomach is tired it increases fats and gives birth to various ailments.
Properly chewed food provides more taste, satisfaction and naturally indicates when the stomach is full. Remember that we get energy from that food that we digest and not from excess or undigested food. If every person makes it a habit to chew the food properly then the food problem of the world will get solved. For good digestive strength the following points should be kept in mind-:
1. Food should be well cooked and eaten hot.
2. Flour should contain husk and only unpolished rice should be consumed.
3. Avoid fried food.
4. Milk, curd and buttermilk should be consumed more.
5. Only fresh and seasonal fruits should be consumed.
6. Solid food should be chewed properly.
7. The interval between two meals should be 4-5 hours.
8. Fast once a week or thrice a month.
9. Eat pulses with husks.
Taste is also an important happiness of life but the signal of nature should also be observed. With the first belch one must start stopping to eat and with the second belch eating should be completely stopped. The second belch clarifies that the stomach is full. Despite this clarification if one continues eating then this will be an invitation to ailments. Basically strength should be gained from the five elements so that the mind and body keep working efficiently. One should eat food for strength and not taste.