When something is not going the way we want it to, when we’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed how many of us reach for a cake or something sweet? I’d say we’ve all been there – and got the proverbial T-shirt.
Recently one of my followers on Twitter offered this quote:
“A contented mind is the greatest blessing a man can enjoy in this world.”~ Joseph Addison
It got me thinking about how to share the way that food can be (ab)used when our desire for contentment is involved.
In Ayurveda there is a simple formula as far as food is concerned: the 6 tastes – sweet, sour, salty, hot, bitter and astringent. It is considered important to include these tastes in at least one meal in a day to satisfy not only the tastebuds but also the mind.
Balancing examples of the sweet taste include ripe/ dried fruit, honey and maple syrup.
Balancing examples of the sour taste include lemons and yogurt.
Balancing examples of the salty taste include (sea/rock) salt and vegetables like celery.
Balancing examples of the hot taste include ginger, mustard seeds and cardamom (slightly).
Balancing examples of the bitter taste include turmeric and aloe vera.
Balancing examples of the astringent taste include pulses (legumes) and the tannins in tea.
I’ve given just a few examples from each group but there are many more. A good reference work with recipes is Ayurvedic Cooking for Self Healing - Vasant Lad
However, even if we diligently include all 6 tastes in our meal, it is equally important how we eat the meal.
Here are my 3 favourite tips:
1. take a few moments before the meal to give thanks for the food, its preparation and the substances that are going to nourish your body
2. chew each mouthful and savour each bite
3. wait a few moments after eating before getting up from the table.
What do you do to feel satisfied from the food you eat? Share your experiences below. Thanks!
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