In Ayurveda,  drinking  water at room temperature or slightly warm throughout the day  is known to be the best way to hydrate quickly. You don’t need to use extra energy to bring the water up to its temperature so it is more quickly absorbed by your body.

Also do you like drinking cold water with or immediately after a meal? And do you feel tired after eating?

Cold water slows down the digestive process that has just started by

• diluting your digestive juices so  they cannot do their job as effectively.
• requiring the energy used for digestion to be used to bring the temperature of the resultant liquid in your stomach to body temperature.

The result is partly or undigested food that moves through the digestive system and that  may or may not be eliminated properly. You may also feel heavy, tired and bloated.

Proper elimination is important to prevent the build up of waste material in the intestine because such a build up creates toxins and stops nutrients from being assimilated into the body.

If you’re thirsty during or after your meal, it is better to have a warm drink, for example warm water, herbal tea like ginger or tulsi, and then not more than about half a cup.  Ideally wait until an hour after eating to have a warm drink or drink about a hour before eating

Exercise:

1. For one week avoid drinking anything during your meals or sip half a cup of herbal tea.
2. Note down how you feel after each meal.
3. Post your comments and experiences below!

Are you drinking enough? Find out here .

“I want to know if my eating habits are healthy, if I’m eating the right foods”, a client asked me recently. Since questions about healthy eating are among the most popular I get asked let me share ten pointers on how to eat healthily, quickly and easily to maintain digestive health.

1. Break the fast properly – Start the day with a balanced and filling breakfast, e.g porridge, muesli. This is important especially if you’ve got a heavy morning schedule. Slow releasing sugars are the best to sustain us between meals.

2. Munch through lunch – eat a satisfying lunch but light dinner and take a few moments to let it digest before you get up from the table. Ideally, this is your biggest meal. Rest for a few minutes after eating or go for a short walk before re-starting work.

3. Fresh is best – Use fresh, seasonal, organic, unprocessed foods as much as possible and include more lentils and beans in your diet. They contain nutrients and soluble as well as insoluble fibre, both important to balance our energy levels.

4. You’ve got to chew each mouthful thoroughly before swallowing it so you absorb the maximum amount of nutrients in your food.

5. Eat in peace – Eat at a comfortable pace and in a calm atmosphere to enhance the digestive process.

6. Drink plenty of water throughout the day but away from meals so your digestive juices remain at optimum concentration during mealtime.

7. Be wary of dairy especially if you have allergic reactions. Remember, moderation is the key!

8. Have a snack store – Stock up on healthy snacks such as unsalted and unroasted nuts and seeds, dried fruits, a variety of seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables. Be creative and make your own snacks, especially for when you’re on the move!

9. Go for wholegrain and cereals such as short grain brown rice and basmati rice, quinoa, millet, couscous.
Tip: to speed up the cooking time and digestion of brown rice, soak it overnight or for at least a couple of hours beforehand.

10. Use sweet spices – especially if you have a sweet tooth! Cinnamon and cardamom are two of my personal favourites for food and tea. Licorice is also a good option.
Tip: Keep a piece of licorice or cinnamon in your pocket to chew on!

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