The balanced diet, or Ahara, in Ayurveda refers to a diet that maintains physical and mental health by aligning food intake with the body's needs, digestive power, and the season. Balanced diet rules emphasize timing, food types, combinations, and preparation to ensure proper digestion and nourishment.

Ayurveda emphasizes that a balanced diet supports Agni (digestive fire) and prevents the accumulation of Ama (toxins). Eating the right type, quantity, and quality of food helps maintain health, enhances digestion, and balances the Doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha). The diet should be adapted to individual constitution, environment, and season, following specific rules and types as described in classical texts.

Types of wrong Meals and Practical Examples

1. Samashana

   • Definition: Consuming wholesome and unwholesome foods together.
   • Practical Example: Eating fried food with yogurt. Fried foods are heavy, whereas yogurt is cold and can hinder the digestion of heavy, oily food, leading to indigestion.
   • Advice: Avoid mixing foods with conflicting qualities to support proper digestion.

2. Vishamashana

   • Definition: Eating too much or too little, or consuming food at irregular intervals.
   • Practical Example: Skipping meals and overeating later in the day. Irregular eating stresses the digestive system and can impair digestive strength.
   • Advice: Maintain regular meal timings and eat the appropriate quantity to prevent digestive imbalance.

3. Adhyashana

   • Definition: Consuming food before the previous meal is digested.
   • Practical Example: Having a snack shortly after a heavy meal, before feeling hunger. This overloads the digestive system, causing bloating and discomfort.
   • Advice: Wait until there is a natural feeling of hunger before eating again.

4. Sankirnashana

   • Definition: Eating in inappropriate places or with incompatible individuals, where the setting is stressful or unsuitable.
   • Practical Example: Eating while walking or in a rushed, stressful environment. This disrupts digestion and mental focus, reducing the benefits of food.
   • Advice: Consume food in a calm, suitable environment to improve digestion.

5. Viruddhashana

   • Definition: Consuming incompatible foods.
   • Practical Example: Drinking cold milk with salty foods. Milk and salt are incompatible in Ayurveda and may lead to skin issues or other imbalances.
   • Advice: Avoid incompatible food combinations, such as milk and sour foods, to reduce digestive strain.

6. Ajirnashana

   • Definition: Eating food that does not digest well or remains undigested.
   • Practical Example: Eating foods that are too heavy for the individual's digestive capacity, like deep-fried items during a weak digestive phase.
   • Advice: Choose foods that align with current digestive capacity and avoid overly rich or heavy meals.

Diseases Caused by Improper Diet

Eating improperly or ignoring the rules of Ahara can lead to various diseases, including:

• Indigestion, bloating, and constipation.
• Accumulation of toxins (Ama), leading to fatigue and sluggishness.
• Imbalance in Doshas, which can cause conditions like acidity, skin disorders, and weight gain.
• Chronic ailments due to Agni (digestive fire) disturbances, affecting immunity and overall health.

• Grahani (Irritable Bowel Syndrome - IBS)

To maintain a balanced diet, Ayurveda recommends:

• Follow a Routine: Eat at consistent times daily, allowing proper digestion of each meal.
• Quantity Control: Eat until satisfied, not full; heavy foods should be consumed in smaller quantities.
• Proper Environment: Eat in a calm, quiet space without distractions.
• Avoid Incompatibles: Refrain from incompatible combinations like milk with sour fruits, as these can interfere with digestion and nutrient absorption.
• Adapt Diet to Individual Needs: Choose food types and quantities based on personal Prakriti (body type) and season, adjusting for digestive capacity and Dosha balance.
• Observe Hunger Signals: Eat only when genuinely hungry, respecting the body’s natural rhythms.

• Charaka Samhita - Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 15, Verses 235-237
• Ashtanga Hridaya - Sutrasthana, Chapter 8
• Sushruta Samhita - Sutrasthana, Chapters 46-47