TIPS FOR QUALITY DIGESTION

• Savor your meals don’t work, drive, read or watch televisions while you’re eating. Eat in a settled atmosphere. A calm environment and focusing on the food aid the body in absorbing nutrients. Eat your main meal at midday, and eat lighter at night. Your digestive fire is strongest at midday. Always sit down to eat eating on the go can hamper digestion. Avoid ice-cold drinks or foods. They decrease the digestive fire. Eat at approximately the same times each day. Don’t eat too quickly, take the time to enjoy each mouthful of food. Eat to about three-quarters of your capacity. Take a few minutes to sit quietly after eating. Don’t drink a lot of fluids with a meal. It’s fine to sip water or juice. Favor fresh foods and avoid left-overs which can disrupt digestion. Avoid taking a meal until the previous meal has been digested. Allow approximately three to six hours between meals. A bit of fresh ginger before a full meal will help stimulate the digestive fire. Milk should not be taken with full meals, especially with salty or sour tastes. Avoid yogurt, cheese, cultured buttermilk and cottage cheese at night. Eat only when you are hungry when the stomach is empty. Do not eat when you are stressed digestion and assimilation are negatively impacted by stress. Maintain regular meal times. A happy, positive frame of mind at meal times will help you get the maximum benefit from your food. Chewing fennel seeds after a meal helps digestion and freshens the breath. Do not interrupt your meals for phone-calls or other work-related activities.