General Principles Regarding Diet

• Eat in a settled and quiet atmosphere 

• Do not work, read or watch television during meals

• Always sit to eat

• Eat at roughly the same time each day 

• Do not eat too quickly or too slowly

• Eat to about 3/4 of your capacity

• Do not leave the table very hungry or very full

• Avoid taking a meal until the previous meal has been digested

• Allow approximately 3 to 6 hours between meals

• Water or juice are fine to sip during meals

• Milk should not be taken with meals having mixed tastes (for example - with vegetables, meats etc.).  Milk can be taken with toast, cereals, or sweet tasting foods, or separated from a meal by at least 20 minutes. 

• Diet should be balanced and including all 6 tastes - sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, astringent - specific recommendations are given according to your constitution and needs

• Yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese and cultured buttermilk should be avoided at night

• Best not to heat or cook with honey

• Avoid ice cold beverages or food as they interfere with digestion 

• Take a few minutes to sit quietly after eating before returning to your activity 

Special Foods

Maharishi Ayurveda discusses some special foods that are considered to be extremely revitalizing to the body.  Although, it is recommended that each individual consume the specific foods and maintain the proper diet suitable to your dosha, or body type.

• Whole milk - should be organic, the cows should be well treated, this is important in the Vedic tradition
• Ghee (clarified butter) 
• Fresh mangos
• Fresh oranges 
• Almonds - best eaten in the morning
• Hot water - although technically this isn't a food :)