Abstract

CONCEPT OF BALANCED AHARA IN OBESITY

Dr. Ashutosh Guleri and Vaidya Rohit Mehta*

ABSTRACT

Obesity is becoming a global epidemic. In urban India 30% men and 50% women are overweight (WHO). Obesity is the basic cause for hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus. In next few years India is going to be the capital of hypertension and diabetes. In Ayurveda the concept of Balanced Ahar dates back more than 5000 years. The food which passes through the process of aharan is called ahar. In Ayurveda, foods are classified into six tastes–sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent. Inclusion of all these tastes in the food will give balancing effect to the ahar and will minimise craving for food. Balanced ahar in modern science includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free milk products, lean meats, poultry, fish, bean, eggs, and nuts. It should be low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars. According to Ayurveda, the main causative factor for obesity is Atisnigdha Ahaar, Madhur Ahaar and Avyayam. Such ahar, if replaced with katu, tikta, kashaya and ruksha gunatmak ahaar together with some relevant exercise, excess medodhatu deposited in the body will be reduced. Obese person should eat pulses like Green gram, Red gram, Bengal gram, horse gram & lentil, cereals like Yava, Jawar, Bajra, Jeerna Shali. He should drink luke warm water along with honey. One should eat all green leafy vegetables, gray coloured smll fishes and drink buttermilk. One should avoid madhur rasatmak ahaar, pulses like black gram, cereals like wheat, and new rice of shali variety. Meat, fishes, fatty milk products, sugar, sugarcane and all types of sweets. Obesity occurs neither due to single cause nor it has single solution. Its treatment is combined effect of medicine, balanced diet, behavioural changes and exercise. Diet control is important and effective solution. Among the people, there are many miss concepts and myths about diet. This paper will highlight and explain the actual dietary regimen in Ayurveda and in modern science.

Keywords: Balanced Ahar, Obesity.