Food is both an aspect and a form of God (Annam Parabrahma Swaroopam). In India, we begin with the highest realisation of anything and then proceed to its more practical or workable level. We do this so that our focus remains on the highest possible attainment. This is how we regard our food in this country – as an aspect of God.
This week marks ‘National Nutrition Week’, organised by the Ministry of Women and Child Development of India. Like many other important topics, the subject of food and nutrition has also been hijacked by various international organisations, which issue recommendations on how many calories, fats, sugars, etc., should be consumed daily. For them, nutrition is limited to these aspects. With such a fragmented outlook, they have stripped the sacredness from our plate, reducing it to merely a heap of ‘commercial products’ that either sustain our bodies or satisfy our taste buds.
According to Bharat’s ancient understanding, food and nutrition is not approached in this way. There are many deeper aspects of food that we need to comprehend. So, during this National Nutrition Week, let us look at food and nutrition holistically.
Why consume local and seasonal food?
The reason is that our bodies and our digestive fire are not static; they change with the seasons. The concept of nutrition is not just about the caloric value of food but also about our body’s capacity to absorb the required or maximum nutrition from the food we consume. Our bodies are in harmony with nature, so if we consume more locally grown food (grown in the environment in which we live), our bodies will be able to extract better nutrition from it. The same principle applies to consuming seasonal food.
Eat for nutritional value, not just for taste
Did you know that Indian millets offer much more nutrition and actually taste better than the standard wheat or rice that have dominated the market? It is simply that some commercial interests began labelling white rice and white wheat as the food of the wealthy or superior people, and gradually, they became status symbols, and the masses acquired a taste for them. Fortunately, many people are now realising this and returning to their traditional millets. Apart from great taste, high nutritional value, and low cost, these millets also have a much smaller environmental footprint.
No processed food
Processed food has infiltrated our kitchens. Remember our childhood? There was almost no processed food, and lifestyle diseases were virtually non-existent. It seems there is a strong connection between the two. Consider a simple example: when we prepare a chapati at home, if we do not refrigerate it, it spoils within 24 hours, especially during the monsoon season. However, the bread we buy from the market remains fresh for 3-5 days, even when left out in the open. There must be something in that bread that is very harmful to bacteria and fungi, which is why they do not consume it. If it is harmful to those organisms, it is likely not very nourishing for our bodies either—something to ponder.
Over-Eating, Under-Nutrition
Most urban people today suffer from diseases due to over-eating. This means that people are consuming much more than their bodies can digest, yet when they have medical tests done, multiple nutritional deficiencies are found. This simply indicates two things: a) their bodies are not able to extract all the nutrition from the food they consume, and b) their food lacks the right nutrition (read processed food here).
Food Does Not Provide All the Nutrition
There is so much emphasis on food, but we often forget that many other important elements contribute to our body’s overall nutritional needs:
- Water – Are we really drinking enough water? Is the quality of our water truly good? It’s not just about cleanliness; we need to drink water that is rich in electrolytes.
- Nature – Do we connect with nature? Do we walk on the ground, absorb sunlight directly, breathe fresh air, and embrace the sky?
- Exercise – The more we make our bodies work, the better they will be able to extract nutrition from the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the sunlight we absorb.
- Rest – Do we give our bodies adequate rest? This means ensuring good sleep, resting the digestive system through fasting, and meditating to calm our overactive minds.
State of mind
What is our state of mind when we consume food? The same food can become medicine for us if we consume it with a certain focus and in a certain state of mind. Conversely, the same food can create more toxicity in our system if we eat it in a rush, while talking, being absent-minded, or in an agitated state of mind. That is why it is very important to eat:
- Mindfully
- In a relaxed state of mind
- Slowly
- Quietly
- Chewing properly
Food is God
In India, we have always said Annam Parabrahma Swaroopam, meaning the food we consume becomes our body, mind, and emotions. This food is a manifestation of God. Food is not just a product or a thing; it is divinity on a plate. When we treat our food this way, every morsel becomes Prasadam, and apart from filling our stomachs, it also nourishes our souls.
So, during this National Nutrition Week, let’s consider these important aspects of food and provide our bodies with the optimum nutrition required. I am sure this will keep our bodies strong, minds healthy, emotions balanced, and souls fulfilled.
The author is a visionary, spiritual master, humanitarian, leadership mentor, and public speaker. He works in the areas of creating awakened leaders, bringing consciousness to education and running regular spiritual talks and retreats. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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