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Ahara vidhi literally means method of taking diet. It includes diet and dietary guidelines.The concept of diet in [[Ayurveda]] has a broader view beyond ingestion of food. Unlike modern dietetics, which is restricted to concept of calorie consumption, Ayurveda recommends methods of taking food, its quality and quantity based upon individual’s capacity to digest ([[agni]]). In this article, various aspects of concept of diet in [[Ayurveda]] are discussed.  

Ahara vidhi literally means method of taking diet. It includes diet and dietary guidelines.The concept of diet in [[Ayurveda]] has a broader view beyond ingestion of food. Unlike modern dietetics, which is restricted to concept of calorie consumption, Ayurveda recommends methods of taking food, its quality and quantity based upon individual’s capacity to digest ([[agni]]). In this article, various aspects of concept of diet in [[Ayurveda]] are discussed.  

==Terminologies==  

==Terminologies==  

‘Anna’ and ‘ahara’ are the two Sanskrit terms applied to denote food and diet.Anna is ingested or eaten through mouth. The term ‘ahara’ includes all substances that are taken in by humans by various routes, including sense organs and mind too.

‘Anna’ and ‘ahara’ are the two Sanskrit terms applied to denote food and diet. Anna is ingested or eaten through mouth. The term ‘ahara’ includes all substances that are taken in by humans by various routes, including sense organs and mind too.

    

    

Broader views of nutrition of body, mind, sense organs and soul are denoted by applying the term ‘ahara’.  The researchers observe that when food enters mouth and passes through the digestive system, it sends a multitude of interacting signals to the brain, loaded with sensory, nutritive, and other information. <ref name="brain and mind">Relationships Among the Brain, the Digestive System, and Eating Behavior: Workshop Summary. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279985/pdf/Bookshelf_NBK279985.pdf accessed on 06/07/2020</ref>  Thus, the digestion and metabolism is not limited to ingestion of food only;  but it is affected by how the brain and nervous system receives and processed the information too. This article describes classification of food, quantity of food, dietary guidelines and important factors influencing digestive health.  

Broader views of nutrition of body, mind, sense organs and soul are denoted by applying the term ‘ahara’.  The researchers observe that when food enters mouth and passes through the digestive system, it sends a multitude of interacting signals to the brain, loaded with sensory, nutritive, and other information. <ref name="brain and mind">Relationships Among the Brain, the Digestive System, and Eating Behavior: Workshop Summary. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279985/pdf/Bookshelf_NBK279985.pdf accessed on 06/07/2020</ref>  Thus, the digestion and metabolism is not limited to ingestion of food only;  but it is affected by how the brain and nervous system receives and processed the information too. This article describes classification of food, quantity of food, dietary guidelines and important factors influencing digestive health.  

===I. According to fundamental composition of food===  

===I. According to fundamental composition of food===  

Digestion of food depends upon the innate properties of food. There are mainly two categories of food according to their effect on digestion:  

Digestion of food depends upon the innate properties of food. There are mainly two categories of food according to their effect on digestion:

#Light to digest or quickly digestible food items(laghu)  

#Light to digest or quickly digestible food items(laghu)  

#Heavy to digest or slowly digestible food items (guru)

#Heavy to digest or slowly digestible food items (guru)