AYURVEDIC SECRETS FOR DIGESTION

1. Eat only when you’re hungry.

Eating when you are not hungry makes you feel bloated and uncomfortable. It will also make you gain weight. Your digestive enzymes are strong enough to break down your food only when your stomach is truly empty.

You can try the difference between eating when you are really hungry and eating out of habit. There is a huge difference and you can experience it yourself on how you feel. Make sure you take three to four hours between meals. This is the time it takes to fully absorb your food.

2. Eat in calm

Make sure you eat in a calm, seated environment and at a moderate pace. Many of us suck down a green juice while racing to catch the subway to work or yoga. But there will be a huge difference in your digestive system when you take just a few minutes more for your juice. When we actually sit down to eat, we focus on chewing the food thoroughly and also on the amount of food we are putting into our bellies. The problem with walking and eating is that, the people will only chew a couple of bites before swallowing. This will cause the belly to do more work than teeth.

3. Take in the smells, tastes, and textures of your meal.

When you pay attention to the sensory details of your food your body also does the same.if you are not actively smelling and appreciating the food you are eating that will affect your digestion so badly. take time to soak in the smells, texture and tastes your stomach will really feel fuller after a meal. You can also spend the rest of the day a whole lot more satisfied.

4. Eat freshly-cooked foods.

You won't feel fresh after eating a food if your food isn’t fresh. That's because it has lost its life force which can leave you feeling tired and sluggish. So spend a few extra minutes whipping up something new instead of eating the leftovers.

5. Sip warm water throughout the day, and at meals.

It is easier for food to pass through the digestive system when you are hydrated.  You will feel fuller, faster.  While drinking water make sure you drink warm water because it is actually pretty challenging to digest.  Your body will take about 30 minutes to digest warm water and one hour to digest cold water because the body has to work overtime to heat up colder water before absorbing it.

6. Relax after meals

After meals give yourself a few minutes to relax, breathe, or take a gentle walk. Most of us pop our dishes in the sink and are out the door before we have finished our last bite. Making it so quick after the food will hinder the body’s ability to absorb food. This will also halt the blood flow in the stomach and decreases circulation. So don't drive back into work right after the second you are done with your meals.

7. Eat your biggest meal at lunch.

The Ayurvedic principle is that when the sun is at its highest point of the day, the digestive fire is strongest. We are a reflection of what is happening in nature. So eat your biggest meal at lunch and give your body plenty of time to fully digest before going to bed. That is the time when the digestive system effectively shuts down.  

8. Drink ginger tea.

Ginger tea is good to have after a heavier meal. It helps to burn the sluggishness caused by rich food. But just don't drink it too much because ginger can be a little too fiery for anyone with acid indigestion. Just try slowly sipping a weakly brewed version right after you eat.

9. Unplug while you eat.

It is hard for any of us to disconnect Tv shows or checking facebook updates during meal time.  This will engage the nervous system which might lead physical digestion to shut down.

Reference: www.ayurvedaschool.in