Benefits of Ayurvedic Cooking

Understanding the reasons behind this cooking method can help you make better choices when it comes to your diet. So, let’s explore the benefits of cooked foods and find out why they are an essential part of Ayurvedic cooking. Don’t worry; we promise to keep it friendly and informative!

As we transition into the warmer months, many of us start to think about incorporating more fresh, raw foods into our diets. But the question arises: when is it best to eat raw versus cooked foods? According to Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine, our diet should be tailored to our individual constitution, or dosha, the season and your age.

When the weather is cold, it is recommended to eat warm, cooked foods to support the digestive fire, or agni. However, when the weather warms up, and the growing season begins, we may be able to incorporate more raw foods into our diet, depending on our digestive capacity.

When you are in the Pitta-predominant summer season and your digestive system is strong and vital, you may be able to tolerate raw foods well. This is because Pitta is associated with fire and heat, and can handle the raw, cooling qualities of fresh raw foods. However, if you are in Vata-predominant seasons like Fall and Early Winter you may experience gas, bloating, and constipation from the cold and dry nature of raw foods. In this case, it may be best to stick to warm, cooked foods and consume raw foods sparingly.

Spring is associated with Kapha-predominant, or imbalanced, so again, raw foods may be more challenging to digest due to their heavy, cooling and dense nature. At the Kapha times of the year we tend to have sluggish digestion, so it is important to focus on light, warming foods to stimulate the digestive fire. However, incorporating some raw foods, such as leafy greens and sprouts, can provide a beneficial source of nutrients and antioxidants.

Our body has its own unique way of digesting food, and it varies from person to person. Certain foods that might be beneficial for one person may not be as effective for another. In Ayurveda, the science of life, the digestive fire is known as Agni. It is responsible for breaking down the food we eat and absorbing the nutrients our body needs to function properly. The strength of our Agni varies depending on our dosha, which is our unique mind-body constitution. When you are at different stages of your life different doshas are more predominant.

At the Pitta stage of life (from late teens to midlife) we have a good digestive fire, eating more raw foods can be very supportive. Raw foods are packed with enzymes that aid digestion, making it easier for the body to break down food. Certain enzymes are destroyed when food is cooked, so eating raw foods can be a great way to ensure that you get the maximum amount of nutrients from your food. However, in a more Kapha predominant phase of life (through infancy till teen years), you will tend to have sluggish digestion and elimination caused by dampness and stagnation. For you, eating raw foods might help you feel lighter, but beware of too much cold. So a balance of raw and cooked is probably ideal in your diet.

Regardless of your age, it is important to listen to your body and pay attention to how it responds to different types of foods. If you experience discomfort or digestive issues after eating raw foods, it may be best to cook them or avoid them altogether. On the other hand, if you feel energised and vital after consuming raw foods, incorporate them into your diet in moderation.

At the end of the day, the best diet is one that is nourishing, balanced, and tailored to your individual needs and preferences. By tuning into your body and eating with awareness, you can find the perfect balance between raw and cooked foods to support your health and well-being.

The process of cooking food breaks down some of its fibres and plant cell walls, making it easier for the body to digest and absorb the nutrients. This means that the body can extract more nutrients from cooked food than from raw food.

Moreover, cooked foods are easier to chew and digest. Improperly chewed raw food is much more difficult for the body to digest and can lead to gas and bloating. Additionally, it requires significantly more energy and effort for the digestive system to assimilate raw foods than cooked ones properly.

But that’s not all! Cooking also generally improves the taste and aroma and energy is readily available from food, which makes it much more enjoyable to eat and easier to digest. In Ayurvedic cooking, the focus is on creating balanced and flavourful meals that are easy to digest and provide the body with nutrients that can be assimilated.