How Ayurveda Fits Into My Nutrition Philosophy
In a recent post, I highlighted some of the key points in my nutrition philosophy. Put simply, eat real foods as much as possible and listen to your own body's wisdom.
But there is another part of my nutrition philosophy I haven't covered yet. Beyond the food we eat, our nutrition depends on how our bodies digest and absorb the nutrients in our meals and the state of mind that we're in while we eat.
Thus, my nutrition philosophy encompasses three aspects; food, mind, and body. And this is where Ayurveda fits in.
How I Came To Ayurveda
It didn't take long in my nutrition career to recognize that 80% of the clients I worked with came to me seeking advice about food when what they really needed was an adjustment in their relationship with food.
What I've found is that most people intuitively know what to eat; they just don't know how to trust themselves and how to manage the emotional aspect of food. And yes, food can be very emotional.
More often than not, I would spend the first couple of sessions with clients talking about their diet, and from there, it became more of a therapy session than a nutrition consultation. Now, I am not a trained psychologist, so I use the term "therapy" lightly, but what I'm getting at is that the barriers people came up against were of an emotional value, not so much physical.
And this is where my expertise hit a wall.
Meanwhile, my own relationship with food was in constant flux. By the time I was working with clients, I had already tackled my overt eating disorder patterns, but there was still a residue. There was still shame around food at times, there were still episodes of overeating, there was still self-judgment when I ate "too much" sugar, and there were still moments of using food to calm my emotional body.
It was a combination of my desire to neutralize my relationship with food along with a desire to help the people I was working with that finally brought me to Ayurveda.
Ayurveda is a vast science that covers all aspects of mind-body wellness. You can address every issue under the sun with the wisdom that comes from Ayurveda. While it was food that drew me into the Ayurvedic lifestyle, it's been the personal empowerment that's kept me coming back for more. I could write pages and pages about the benefits of Ayurveda, but today we're focusing on nutrition -- so let's talk about what makes Ayurvedic nutrition so special.
What Makes Ayurvedic Nutrition Unique
As a spiritual person, I like to look for a connection in all things. When I found Ayurveda, it was like I was given a blueprint for the cohesive nature of the entire universe. I know that might sound dramatic – but that's truly how I felt and continue to feel.
Ayurveda doesn't just consider nutrition to be the food you eat; it also considers the state of your mind and your body while you're eating. In fact, a common saying among Ayurvedic doctors and practitioners is, "It's not what you eat, but when and how that matters."
When I first heard that statement, my mind was blown. You're telling me that I can stop laser-focusing on food and still have a healthy diet? Sign me up.
According to Ayurvedic wisdom, there are certain times of the day when our digestion is strongest and other times when our digestion is weaker. When we schedule our meals around the strength of our digestive fire, we provide our bodies the best chance to break down and assimilate the nutrients in our food while preventing the accumulation of undigested food particles. This alone can help you maintain a healthy weight, encourage optimal metabolism, and sustain energy levels.
But what I found even more intriguing about Ayurveda's approach to food is the how.
How we eat not only plays a crucial role in how well we digest, but it also speaks to a deeper need for humankind; the need for mindful awareness. We can eat in a rush, mindlessly shoveling food down our throats, or we can eat our food in a slow, intentional, honoring way. When we engage with food in a respectful manner, slowing down and enjoying each bite, that respect boomerangs back to us, and we find that we are truly in a relationship with our food.
How we eat is a very personal process. And if you've ever experienced any type of disordered eating patterns, you know this to be true. With Ayurvedic practices of eating mindfully and with presence, we reclaim the sacred relationship between our need for nourishment and our ability to give ourselves what we need on the deepest level.
Personally, I've found that the more respect I have for myself, the easier my relationship with food becomes. And one of the most profound changes I've made to show myself more respect was slowing down and becoming more mindful with my meals.
Ayurvedic nutrition also encompasses the use of the five senses as a way to nourish ourselves with sensory inputs, with taste being just one avenue. This is a topic I personally find so fascinating that I wrote a book dedicated to the concept.
And, of course, Ayurveda does touch on what to eat, and in essence, it's boiled down to eating for your doshic type and any current imbalances that may be present. Outside of that container, there are no strict rules. Although many people assume Ayurveda pushes a vegetarian diet, this is simply not true. According to Ayurveda, some people may do better with less meat, but others require meat for a healthy balance.
Takeaway: Find Your Own Nutrition Philosophy
I could go on and on about the value that Ayurveda has brought to my life and nutrition philosophy, but what I've shared here are the highlights. While Ayurveda may not be for everyone, I try to incorporate the aspects of this rich science that speak truth to me, and I hope that what I share resonates with you as well.
That said, to bring things full circle with my previous blog post, if you find that my views or opinions don't quite feel right to you, I hope you'll toss them aside in honor of your own intuition.
In my next posts I’ll go into more detail about the How and When of eating, according to Ayurveda — so stay tuned for that.