HEATING OR COOLING ENERGY OF FOOD OR VEERYA
Certain items of food have a heating effect on body or are of high caloric value e.g. meat, fish, egg, jaggery, dates, nuts, honey, mango etc. Others like milk, oranges, melon, bananas, curd, cheese etc. have a cooling effect on the body.
POST-DIGESTIVE (METABOLIC) EFFECT OR VIPAAKA
The post-digestive effect refers to the effect of the food substance on the digestive system, metabolism and on the nutrition of the body.
TIPS FOR FOOD INTAKE
• Food should not be prepared with foul fuel.
• Half heated food should not be consumed.
• Be cautious in taking food items which are not fully ripe or overripe or which have had any unusual change.
• Never take food when you haven’t urinated, during lack of appetite or prolonged fasting.
• Never take food in a crowded place.
• In order to stimulate appetite, one can chew and eat half teaspoonful of freshly grated ginger with a pinch of rock salt 10 to 15 minutes before each meal.
• The diet, especially hard food substances, should be properly chewed.
• Wherever possible, intake of curd or whey should follow eating of food.
• The food should be tasty, fresh and good in appearance.
• It should neither be hot nor absolutely cold.
• Avoid taking water at least 15 minutes before having food. The quantify of water taken after eating food should be little. Instead, drink often.• Heavy food should be taken in a limited quantity.
• Heavy food should not be taken at night. The proper time for taking your dinner is approximately two to three hours before going to bed. After dinner, go for a short walk.
• After meals, heavy mental or physical work should be avoided. Some rest is advisable for proper digestion of food.
• While eating, only one-third of the capacity of the stomach should be filled with food, one-third with liquid and one-third should be left empty. This aids in proper digestion, gives room for air circulation in stomach and also promotes mental clarity.
• While eating, one should properly chew the food in order to soften it, and ensure that it is thoroughly mixed with saliva.
• Ayurveda insists that iced water should not be drunk during or after a meal as it slows agni and digestion. Small sips of warm water taken during the meal help in digestion.
• If desired, one can finish a meal by drinking a cup of lassi or buttermilk along with ginger and coriander.