The Ultimate Guide to Improving Your Digestion

Digestion is a vital process in our bodies that is often taken for granted. When it’s functioning well, we rarely give it a second thought. But when it’s not, it can have a significant impact on our overall health and well-being. From bloating and gas to constipation and heartburn, digestive issues can be uncomfortable and even debilitating. But the good news is that you can take simple steps to improve your digestion and feel better every day.

1. If you experience any symptoms of poor digestion, such as bad breath, coated tongue, gas, cloudy urine, nausea, or digestive discomfort, it’s best to give your digestive system a break by fasting for a day or skipping a meal until you feel hungry again.
2. Don’t eat when you’re feeling angry, depressed, bored, upset, or exhausted.
3. Take a bath or wash your hands and face before eating.
4. Eat at home as much as possible, as food prepared with love and positive intention is better energy than food served in a restaurant for profit. In India, traditionally, cooks were chosen from the priestly class to ensure good energy in the food.
5. Eat alone or with friends and family in a relaxing environment.
6. Eat in a quiet, clean place and facing east to maximize energy for digestion.
7. Listen to classical or Indian music to set the mood for dining.
8. Sip warm water during your meal to aid digestion, but avoid drinking ice water or milk.
9. Ginger can stimulate appetite, so try finely chopping it and mixing with lemon juice and rock salt. However, those with a Pitta type may not need it if their appetite is strong.

10. Minimize raw foods and opt for cooked foods, which are easier to digest.
11. Give thanks for your food and extend positive energy into it for the benefit of each cell in your body.
12. Eat in a quiet environment, with pleasant background music. Avoid conversation during the meal as it can be a distraction to digestion.
13. Limit your portion size to what fits in your two cupped hands.
14. Eat a variety of foods that contain all six tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent, adjusting the portions to suit your individual needs.
15. Choose fresh, local, seasonal foods when possible.
16. Avoid excessive sour or fermented foods, particularly yeasted bread.
17. Give thanks at the end of the meal.
18. Clean your mouth, rinse your eyes and take a short walk after eating.
19. Leave a gap of 3 to 6 hours between meals and maintain regular meal times.
20. Avoid engaging in sexual activity, deep study, or sleep for at least two hours after eating, especially in the evening. Avoid watching TV during or immediately after a meal as it can inhibit proper digestion.