Why do we eat?

Besides for pure survival, we also eat based on personal preferences, habits and cultural roots, what we want our body to look like (think weight loss or muscle gains).  Sometimes we might eat emotionally when we're feeling sad or stressed, also to celebrate a milestone like a birthday or a wedding.  Ayurveda teaches we eat to take in life force energy (prana).  

When I was in school for dietetics there was such a focus on calories in, calories out.  Achieving or maintaining optimal weight this way equated to health. Any loss of nutrients could easily be supplemented.  This could be done through enrichment (fortified with…) or by taking a handful of vitamin supplements.  I struggled with this perception because I didn't agree with it.  Probably one of the main reasons I fell in love with Ayurveda.  Diet is a part of our entire life.  Ayurveda’s principles are not about calories in or calories out.  Ayurveda looks at your individual requirements (prakriti), meaning one diet doesn't fit all.  A balanced meal includes all six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter and astringent) and most importantly, digestion is everything!

Cheers to great food!

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