In This Guide
The Art of Eating
In Ayurveda, food is medicine. But even the healthiest food can become poison (Ama) if eaten at the wrong time, in the wrong quantity, or with the wrong combination.
Dr. Arti
B.A.M.S.
The Root of All Disease
Respect Your Agni
Agni is your digestive fire. Think of it like a campfire. If you dump too much wood (food) on a small fire, it suffocates. If you pour cold water (ice drinks) on it, it dies.
90% of diseases begin in the gut when Agni is weak and cannot digest food, leading to the formation of sticky toxins called Ama.
The 10 Golden Rules (Ahara Vidhi)
1. Eat Warm Food
Warm food stimulates Agni and enzymes. Cold food slows digestion.
2. Eat Unctuous Food
Food should have some fat (Ghee/Oil) to lubricate the system.
3. Eat in Proper Quantity
Fill 50% with food, 25% with water, and leave 25% empty for air.
4. Eat Only When Hungry
Real hunger comes after the previous meal is fully digested (4-6 hours).
5. No Contradictory Foods
Avoid combinations like Milk + Fish or Fruit + Yogurt.
6. Eat in a Peaceful Place
No TV, no phone. Stress shuts down blood flow to the gut.
7. Don't Eat Too Fast
Chew your food. Digestion begins in the mouth.
8. Don't Eat Too Slow
Eating for 1 hour confuses satiety signals.
9. Focus on Food
Engage all senses—smell, sight, and taste—to prime digestion.
10. Eat with Confidence
Trust that the food will nourish you. Anxiety causes indigestion.
Viruddha Ahar (Danger Combos)
Some foods are healthy alone but toxic together. They upset the balance of Doshas and create instant toxins.
Milk + Banana (Smoothies)
The heavy/sour quality of banana clashes with milk, causing instant phlegm and toxins.
Fish + Milk
Fish is heating, milk is cooling. This thermal clash vitiates blood and causes skin diseases.
Honey + Heat
Cooking honey turns it into a glue-like toxin. Only add honey to lukewarm water.
The Circadian Eating Schedule
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast
Agni is just waking up. Eat something light, warm, and moist like stewed apples or oatmeal.
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM: Lunch (King's Meal)
Agni is strongest when the sun is highest. This is the time for your heaviest meal—grains, proteins, dairy.
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Dinner (Pauper's Meal)
Eat before sunset. Agni sets with the sun. Keep it very light—soups or cooked vegetables. No raw salads or heavy proteins.
"I used to eat salads for dinner thinking it was healthy. Dr. Arti explained that raw cold food at night dampens my 'Agni'. Switching to warm soups for dinner completely fixed my morning bloating in 5 days."
Key Result
Digestion Restored
Common Questions
Scientific References & Sources
- Physiology of Digestion and Agni (Ayur)View Study
- Impact of Meal Timing on MetabolismView Study
Disclaimer: This content is medically reviewed by Dr. Arti (BAMS) but should not replace professional medical advice.