The 5,000-year-old science of Ayurveda gives us the steps we need to take to stay healthy, safe, and sated this fall. Seasonal Guidelines for Fall In Ayurveda , we take our cues from nature. Autumn is a time of transition, a time to leave behind the heat and productivity of summer, slow down, fall back and “learn from the falling leaves how to let go.” As per the Ayurvedic seasonal regimen, or Ritucharya , fall and early winter are vata season (the energy principle of air and ether). Vata is dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, and mobile, and an imbalance in this dosha (energy principle) can lead to similar qualities in the individual. The two simple concepts in restoring balance are like increases like and opposites balance each other. For instance, the dry quality of vata can be balanced by internal and external oleation, hydrating enough, and unctuous food like soups and massages. A rejuvenating cleanse is highly recommended to enhance our immunity in Fall. Ritucharya
Let Your Child Develop to Their Full Potential with Proper Nutrition & Care 👶
Ayurveda contains a plethora of information that adults and children may benefit from. We hope that with this blog, we can impart some of the ancient Ayurvedic knowledge to help your kids develop to their maximum potential.
So, let’s get started.
The three basic mind-body types or principles identified by the Ayurvedic system are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The correct balancing of these three doshas forms the foundation for balancing the child's mind and body.
Vata
Vata influences breathing, the heart's pulse, general muscular movement, nerve impulses, sensory perception, communication, and the ability to experience flexibility, joy, and consciousness. It is the energy of air and ether.
Pitta
Pitta, which controls appetite, digestion, absorption, assimilation, intelligence, charisma, transformation and ambition, is the energy of fire and water.
Kapha
The governing principle of feeding, development, lubrication, regeneration, fluid balance, fat control, strength, stamina, memory, and our capacity to experience compassion and contentment, Kapha is the energy of water and soil, structure and cohesion, grounding and stability.
Moving Forward
The human body contains all three doshas. However, different people have varying amounts of each, and most of us are disproportionately strong in one or two of them.
Ayurveda believes that a person's constitution is formed at conception, solidified at birth, and remains stable throughout a lifetime. It offers a unique blueprint for good health and symbolizes each person's natural state of harmony. Our constitutions affect our physiology and physical characteristics, as well as our likes and dislikes, habits, and mental and emotional makeup.
As a holistic tradition, Ayurveda understands that a child's health and well-being involve much more than just their physiology functioning as it should. In reality, kids have a lot of energy and emotional sensitivity.
Children will typically benefit from the support and mentoring we can offer to help them manage their moods and sensitivities, even though they may have an excellent baseline of physical health.
Ayurvedic Health and Nutrition for Kids
Ayurveda for kids strongly emphasizes helping children establish healthy daily routines besides a healthy diet.
A daily routine is crucial to our general health and wellness, and it may even be more vital for children. Routines give a child's nervous system safety, consistency, and trust while enabling their physiology to form healthy habits. Western and Eastern medicine concur that having a regular daily schedule will help children form lifelong healthy habits.
The following tips can help your kid begin an Ayurvedic routine:
Rise early
Children and adults alike can benefit from rising early. This should be easy because kids typically wake up early. Even though waking up at the same time every day is advised, if a child has had a rough night of sleep, getting up a little late is OK!
Eat healthy
Children should be given fresh, nourishing food with the proper Ayurvedic nutrition. Encourage your kids to practice mindfulness when eating, and make sure screens or other activities dont distract them when they do so.
Get moving
Kids need extra encouragement to stay active and adopt healthy routines because they have abundant Kapha energy. Ensure your child engages in activities like active play in the backyard, swimming lessons, minor league sports, or daily walks around the neighborhood.
Use the restroom
Start forming the habit of using the bathroom in the morning by teaching your youngster to pay attention to their body's requirements. This will assist your child in creating a consistent morning routine.
Drink water
Tell your kid to drink lukewarm water first thing in the morning. Thirty minutes before a meal, drinking water can help with digestion.
Get enough sleep
Make sure your child is put to bed on time after a hard day of learning and playing. The ideal bedtime for everyone, even teenagers, is 10 p.m.
Physical activity
Ayurvedic massage or stretching in the morning helps to energize the body and awaken the muscles. Your infant can benefit from a gentle massage and stretching for 10-15 minutes daily. Older kids can learn how to perform different yoga stretches on their own.
Ayurvedic Diet for Kids
You will already meet one of the most significant Ayurvedic nutritional guidelines for kids' health if you successfully develop a diet free of convenience foods for children: food high in vital nutrients, including staples from the area, free from flavor enhancers, emulsifiers, and preservatives.
In the second phase, it is essential to curate the menu with the proper nutrition for kids. This is especially important when there is a Dosha imbalance, which includes health issues, including a weakened immune system, allergies or sleeping issues (Vata), diarrhea or skin rashes (Pitta), being overweight, or ENT issues (Kapha).
The third phase is the gradual adoption of the general principles of Ayurveda and nutrition for a healthy metabolism.
Here are a few things you should ensure to maintain a balanced Ayurvedic diet for your kids:
- Environment: In a relaxed state, our digestive system functions optimally! When it's time to eat, maintain a quiet environment and encourage your child to eat with a level head.
- Home-cooked food: Children should be served organically produced, well-cooked, and home-cooked food infused with the mother's (or father's) affection.
- Avoid overeating: Children should consume no more food than their stomach can accommodate: The ideal amount per meal is roughly the same as what fits in two palms.
- Avoid drinking water between meals: Drinking more than one glass of water with meals would unnecessarily weaken the digestive fire.
- Fruits and milk: One of the most significant energy sources and nutrients for children is fresh fruits and unprocessed cow's milk. However, they must always be taken separately, for example, as a snack, to be best metabolized. A glass of milk before bed and a portion of fruit in the morning is relatively healthy meals to include in your regular menu.
- Avoid snacks: Children should consume regular meals and refrain from unrestrained "in-between" eating. It's advisable to wait to eat again until you've fully digested your last meal. The only way to prevent taxing the metabolic and digestive systems is to do this. For children's metabolism, three big meals and two little snacks are ideal.
The Importance of Digestion
According to Ayurveda, digestion is the foundation of good health. Therefore, we want our children to have optimum digestive strength, allowing them to enjoy optimal health and well-being throughout their lives.
So, make every effort to create a diet plan that emphasizes whole, healthful meals rather than processed or sugary ones. Make sure the young ones in your life understand the value of drinking sufficient water daily.
The alignment of children's diets and lifestyle practices with the rhythms of nature has a significant impact on supporting the digestive fire in children. Try your best to serve them seasonal foods by planning your meals around the foods harvested.. Be aware that children's bodies often prefer lighter meals with more water-rich fruits and vegetables in the spring and summer and heavier, denser foods in the fall and winter.
So, make every effort to create a diet plan that emphasizes whole, healthful meals rather than processed or sugary ones. Make sure the young ones in your life understand the value of drinking sufficient water daily.
The alignment of children's diets and lifestyle practices with the rhythms of nature has a significant impact on supporting the digestive fire in children. Try your best to serve them seasonal foods by planning your meals around the foods harvested.. Be aware that children's bodies often prefer lighter meals with more water-rich fruits and vegetables in the spring and summer and heavier, denser foods in the fall and winter.
Key Takeaways
- Ayurveda and nutrition go hand in hand.
- According to Ayurveda, three significant doshas form the foundation for the child's body: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. According to their predominant doshas, children should be given an Ayurvedic diet and mentoring.
- Ayurveda suggests that to have a healthy lifestyle, it is essential to establish daily routines for children.
- Children should be taught good practices like eating a healthy diet, drinking adequate water, engaging in physical activities, and having a regular sleep pattern.
- It is also important to give a balanced diet to kids that includes all the nutrients essential for their growth.
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