New Delhi . Ayurveda talks about diet according to seasons. It is also mentioned in our ancient texts. Acharya Kashyap has called food as Mahabhaishajyam i.e. no medicine is as beneficial as food. According to this, food is the best medicine. It is important to follow the rules of diet, if it is followed as per the rules then there is no need of medicine.
As the seasonal cycle changes, many changes start taking place in the body. We feel mentally and physically tired, so it is important to improve our eating habits.
Srimad Bhagwat Geeta and Manu Smriti also mention the effect of diet on the mind. We talk about Satvik, Rajasik and Tamasik food, in which Satvik is considered ideal and Tamasik is considered to be of inferior quality.
So Ayurveda gives special tips to keep yourself healthy and active during the winter season.
To keep the body warm and maintain moisture in the skin during winter season, ghee, mustard oil and coconut oil should be included in your diet. The fats present in it are absorbed by the body tissues and not only help in healing dry skin, but also help in the absorption of vitamins A, E, K and D. Deficiency of these vitamins can affect mental health and weaken the immune system, especially vitamin D deficiency can lead to depression and other health problems.
Carrots, sweet potatoes, beetroot and others are available in abundance in the winter season. These vegetables are rich in vitamins, iron, calcium, potassium and iodine and help in avoiding the problem of overeating in winter. Consuming these makes the stomach feel full, due to which you do not get into the habit of eating too much. Apart from this, it helps in controlling your blood sugar level and reduces the risk of diabetes.
Consuming whole grains like oats, barley and maize in winter is beneficial for health. These whole grains provide you energy as well as keep your body warm. Whole grains are very useful during the winter season, because they help in breaking down the carbohydrates stored in the body easily. At the same time, one should avoid eating cold and raw foods in winter, because they can make the body sluggish. Cold juices, smoothies and raw foods can draw out body heat, causing a lack of energy. Instead, one should drink hot soup, herbal tea and turmeric milk, which keeps the body warm as well as strengthens the immunity.
Spices not only add taste and aroma to food, but also keep the body warm. In winter, spices are helpful in controlling your blood sugar, improving circulation and keeping the digestion process smooth. Additionally, spices are mentally relaxing and improve your mood.
Massaging the body with hot oil every day in winter not only keeps the body warm, but it also keeps the skin soft and supple. Massaging with hot oil before exercising penetrates deeply into the body tissues and keeps the body warm and healthy. Apart from this, exercising is also extremely important in winter. It helps in keeping the body active, burning calories, strengthening bones and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. No matter what the weather, light exercise should be done daily.
According to Ayurveda, digestive fire is good in winter, hence it should be taken care of. Fasting should be avoided and if fasting or eating food in small quantity then the digestive fire burns the structure of the body and increases the severity of Vata which can lead to disease. Dryness comes from vata. So it is better to avoid junk food and connect with hot desi foods.
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Image Credit: KhasKhabar.