According to the principles of Ayurvedic Medicine – an age-old, completely natural, holistic and prevention oriented health care system – good digestion is of utmost importance to health. Everybody has a constitutionally different digestive strength and a need to eat accordingly. How do I know? The main way is to see how you feel after a meal. A feeling of dullness, heaviness, fatigue, bloating, or pressure in the abdomen is usually a sign of overeating, which in turn leads to indigestion and the productions of toxins.
Many chronic diseases start on the physical level with indigestion. When the digestion is functioning poorly or we eat the wrong food or maybe at the wrong time, then toxic waste material, “Ama”, is produced in the GI tract. From there, these toxins begin circulating only to localize in a target tissue resulting in disease, (e.g. liver, kidney or heart disease, etc.). On the other hand, if we eat the proper quantity and quality, for our digestive strength, “Ojas” is created. Ojas is the finest end-product of excellent digestion – it’s the material that keeps the body’s inner intelligence lively and functioning efficiently. The more the ojas, the greater your health, immunity, and happiness.
Tips to improve the potency of your digestion:
- Avoid overeating.
- Avoid ice cold drinks with your meals.
- Don’t eat until the previous meal has been digested.
- Have your main meal around noon.
- If your digestion is weak, eat less raw and cold foods, and those, only around noon.
One of the best ways to improve your health, no matter what disease you are suffering, is through adopting the right diet for your digestive strength.
At Everyday Health, they offer the following tips as well:
- Eat a high-fiber diet. According to Maria Adams, RD, MPH, a nutrition consultant in Marblehead, Massachusetts, consuming a diet that’s high in fiber and rich in whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and fruits can improve your digestive health. “A high-fiber diet helps to keep food moving through your digestive tract, making you less likely to get constipated,” Adams says, adding that a high fiber diet can also help you prevent or treat various digestive conditions, such as diverticulosis, hemorrhoids, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In addition, it can help you achieve or maintain a healthy weight.
- Get both insoluble and soluble fiber. It’s important to consume both types of fiber since they help your digestive system in different ways. “Insoluble fiber, also known as roughage, can’t be digested by the body and therefore helps add bulk to the stools,” says Adams. “Soluble fiber draws in water and can help prevent stools that are too watery.” Good sources of insoluble fiber include wheat bran, vegetables, and whole grains; get soluble fiber from oat bran, nuts, seeds, and legumes.
- Limit foods that are high in fat. “In general, fatty foods tend to slow down the digestive process, making you more prone to constipation,” says Adams. But since it’s important to get some fat in your diet, Adams says that pairing fatty foods with high-fiber foods can make them easier on your digestive system.