9 Tips for Joyful, Balanced Eating from Divya's Ayurvedic Kitchen
Your friend to support your well-being is food.
Bulgaria was Divya Alter's home country. The way her family interacted with food as a child is what she remembers most.
"We always had a piece of land, and we planted various sorts of fruits and vegetables, even now," says Alter of his upbringing. We had a close relationship with how we raised our food, stored it for the winter, and fermented cabbage.
The bond her family had with the food they consumed served as the inspiration for Alter's eventual adoration of food.
Because not every culture has such a strong bond with food, Alter expresses her gratitude for this.
Alter started investigating plant-based eating after discovering yoga as a teenager. She worked as a culinary intern at the yoga ashram in return for yoga sessions, learning how to make wholesome, plant-based meals.
According to Alter, this is how he or she "came in love with cooking and eating."
How food supports healing
Alter later spent five years living in India and became familiar with the Indian traditional medical system known as Ayurveda. She recounts how, when she first sought out an Ayurvedic physician, she did so from a Western perspective.
The Ayurvedic physician would respond to her requests for medicines by saying, "Yeah, I'll give you the herbs, but before that, here is the list of foods that are beneficial for you right now," she recalls.
This aided Alter in comprehending how nutrition might promote recovery.
She explains, "I was thinking, wow. This is the real way that food may be a form of medicine.
Sharing her work
When Alter began giving cooking lessons in New York City in 2009 and later published her first cookbook, "What to Eat for How You Feel: The New Ayurvedic Kitchen," she brought her concept to life.
Then, when Divya's Kitchen debuted on Manhattan's Lower East Side in 2016, a meal delivery service transformed into a plant-based eatery.
Alter offers ayurvedic-inspired seasonal cuisine that is freshly produced there.
The cookbook "Joy of Balance: An Ayurvedic Guide to Cooking with Healing Ingredients" and a set of five online Masterclasses to go along with it are among her most recent creations.
Want to know the healthy eating guidelines Alter uses on her menu and in her cookbooks? For her advice, keep reading.
Divya’s tips for balanced eating
Alter's life lessons and her Ayurvedic studies have influenced the way she prepares and consumes food now.
There’s no good or bad food
One of her main tenets? No meal is inherently good or terrible.
She claims that anything in nature can be utilized as medication. Is it advantageous to you at this time or not?
The answer to this question may change based on the weather, the seasons, and your current stage of life.
According to Alter, part of our body's adaptation to these changes includes changing our diet so that everything we consume today supports where we are right now.
She remembers a comment one of her teachers would usually give when asked, "Is this good for me?"
"It depends," is the standard response. It depends on what you need at the moment, says Alter.
Eat food that your body says ‘yes’ to
Alter's a succinct response when asked to explain the food served at Divya's Kitchen is, "We provide food that your body says yes to."
That entails scrumptious meals that are also really nourishing and stimulating.
That's the primary reason humans eat, according to Alter. It serves more purposes than just amusement. Its creative component, which is likewise crucial, is that. You won't be content, though, if it just serves to amuse you rather than to nourish you deeply.
Alter uses the typical occurrence of feeling full but unsatisfied as an illustration. She claims that this is typically brought on by a nutrient or flavor deficiency.
Alter's is dedicated to serving food that is simple to digest in addition to giving deeply fulfilling nourishment. Overall, she says, you should feel satisfied without the need for a nap.
Eat foods that work together
Additionally, according to Alter, mixing particular foods can cause dyspepsia. For instance, she avoids serving raw fruit with cooked food because it can produce bloating or gas.
While there isn't much research to back up broad meal pairing, certain studies do suggest that pairing particular foods may have distinct impacts.
For instance, milk combined with fruits or green tea extract had a lower antioxidant effect than other dietary combinations that were more beneficial, according to a 2022 study of simulated digestion circumstances.
According to a 2017 study, eating veggies high in carotenoids and healthy fats together increased nutritional absorption.
Carotenoids are found in certain vegetables, such as
- red bell peppers
- tomatoes
- carrots
- spinach
- broccoli
In addition, a 2022 study discovered that vitamin C consumption might improve the body's ability to absorb iron.
According to Alter, "I use the food compatibility principles with all of my recipes and with every dish on our menu." "We frequently believe that we have a persistent digestive problem, but it's not something significant. Your body is simply saying, "Hey, that's not right," since you're consuming two meals that don't mix well.
Any food can be Ayurvedic food
A widespread misunderstanding, according to Alter, is that Ayurvedic cuisine is equivalent to Indian cuisine. Artis is not the case.
"Ayurveda originated in India. Many of the old traditional recipes are Indian, and it's an ancient traditional medicinal healing method, she explains. However, the Ayurvedic concepts relating to eating are global.
As a result, Divya's Kitchen has a varied menu.
Although we do have lasagna and risotto, Alter says, "I don't classify it as any particular regional dish. I love Italian flavors." I strive to demonstrate how to apply these general food concepts to any type of cuisine in my recipes and on the menu from Divya's Kitchen.
Eat the food you grew up with
Alter places a strong emphasis on respecting your ethnic history as an essential component of a healthy, balanced diet because Ayurvedic principles may be applied to any type of food.
For instance, she tells the story of an Iranian buddy who grew up eating Persian food.
It has a lot of saffron, cinnamon, and other spices, as well as a lot of rice and pomegranates, and Alter describes it as being quite hot and tasty. "Food like that will help her stay healthy. When she eats it, she will feel good.
According to Alter, comfort food and foods that make you think of loved ones can be just as restorative as purportedly "healthy" foods.
She argues, however, that preparing your favorite dishes with whole foods will always provide the maximum nutrition.
Alter was prepared to respond when asked what traditional Bulgarian meal she liked.
It's known as banitsa, she explains. Filo pastry is used, and various fillings are available. Similar to a strudel, it contains curd cheese, spinach, shredded pumpkin, or apples. It's quite delicious.
Eat for how you feel
Alter places a lot of focus on eating for how your body and mind feel, much like she does in her cookbook.
What is happening in your body right now? is a question she suggests using to tune in.
For instance, a pregnant woman will probably require more food for nourishing and building. If you engage in intense physical activity, you'll probably require more substantial meals than mere salads.
Alter gives the example of celery juice.
"Celery juice can drive some folks insane. You can either benefit from it or not, she says.
According to Alter, celery juice can help reduce acid reflux and heartburn. On the other hand, it might exacerbate the body's cold and dry characteristics, making it less than ideal for a chilly, windy day.
According to Alter, it will just make your body's stored energy stronger. To choose when to put an ingredient on your plate and where to store it on the shelf, you must have a fundamental understanding of its properties.
Your relationship with eating should be relaxed.
Making food decisions can be difficult and stressful.
It's crucial to unwind in your interaction with food, advises Alter. Even the healthiest food won't be beneficial to you if you're stressed out while eating it, regardless of how healthy it is.
Alter places a strong emphasis on savoring each bite.
When possible, choose organic foods.
According to Alter, "our menus may contain more than 85% certified organic foods." We never provide leftovers because they are always freshly made. Every day, we prepare it freshly.
According to her, this freshness guarantees both the greatest quality nutrients and ease of digestion.
A regional focus
She also points out that imported health foods can occasionally see a disproportionate rise in popularity. This may bias perceptions of what is truly beneficial for both people and the environment.
She explains, "Amla or Amalaki is a very well-known Ayurvedic fruit. "It's okay if you travel to the Netherlands and discover that neither your backyard nor your neighborhood is home to any amla fruit. The dandelion greens in your backyard may be what you need.
FAQs
What is the Ayurvedic way of eating?
Before you start eating, express gratitude or observe a moment of silence. Eat slowly, enjoy each bite, and chew everything thoroughly before swallowing. During the meal, a few sips of warm water will aid in digestion, but avoid consuming excessive amounts of any one beverage. Never eat a meal until you are completely satisfied.
What should I eat in the morning according to Ayurveda?
The foundation of an Ayurvedic breakfast is porridge, which is nourishing, nourishing, and light. It gives you long-lasting energy without taxing your digestive system.
spiced oatmeal
- 200 cc of almond milk without sugar.
- 40 g oats (or another cereal)
- 1 tablespoon flax seed.
- 1 little pear.
- 2 dates.
- 1 little apple.
- 1 teaspoon hazelnuts.
- one dash of cinnamon
How many meals a day does Ayurveda recommend?
Daily two meals
She said that according to yoga and ayurveda, this is the best way to eat. This is because it accommodates the Ayurvedic method of intermittent fasting, which calls for a six-hour interval between both meals.
What time should you eat dinner Ayurveda?
Breakfast should ideally be eaten between 7 and 9 in the morning. between 12 and 2 p.m. for lunch. And dinner between 6 and 8 o'clock, with no snacking if at all feasible in between meals. These are rough window estimates based on the notion that you require three meals every day.
Become friends with food
Although eating might occasionally appear complicated, Alter emphasizes that there are no set rules for it.
I can't emphasize enough how important it is to not be frightened to eat, she says. I was able to mend my connection with food by viewing it as my friend—a buddy who is there to aid me in maintaining my welfare.
She encourages both diners and cookbook readers to discover pleasure in eating.
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