Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S
We always have a doubt as to what is the ideal quantity of food.
Ideal quantity of food depends on lots of factors and differs from person to person. Constitution of individuals, eating habits and geography (habitat) of the people are the factors which should be considered to decide the ideal quantity of food.
So the quantity of food is moreover ‘individualized’ and is more personal.
In this context when we speak about ‘matra yukta ahara’ i.e. ‘proper or ideal quantity of food’, we are discussing it from a given individual’s perspective and not ‘more general’. But the rule is the same for each individual and is applicable for the quantity of food which they take and which suits them so as to keep their health in a state of balance.
So, the ideal quantity of food for a given individual is also a ‘healthy quantity’ for the same individual.
Need for taking food in proper / ideal quantity – what Ayurveda says?
Ayurveda always advocates consumption of food in proper quantity.
मात्राशी सर्वकालं स्यान्मात्रा ह्यग्नेः प्रवर्तिका।
मात्रां द्रव्याण्यपेक्षन्ते गुरूण्यपि लघून्यपि॥अ.हृ.सू.८/१॥
mātrāśī sarvakālaṃ syānmātrā hyagneḥ pravartikā|
mātrāṃ dravyāṇyapekṣante gurūṇyapi laghūnyapi||a.hṛ.sū.8/1||
Master Vagbhata says that one should consume only the proper quantity of food at all times and in all given conditions.
What is the reason why this should be done?
Eating foods in the right quantity is mandatory because it is this food (i.e. right quantity of food) which always kindles (activates) the agni i.e. digestion power of an individual.
Also, the food substances depend on the ‘specified quantity of consumption’ i.e. to get digested properly, the foods depend on the specified quantity of consumption. This rule applies for both, guru dravya i.e. heavy to digest foods (foods which are difficult for digestion) and laghu dravya i.e. light to digest foods (foods which can be easily digested).
Now, looking deep into this context we can conclude that one needs to always eat food in proper quantity, the one ideal for him or her, in conditions of both health and disease.
The word sarvakalam indicates that a proper quantity of food should always be consumed and it is mandatory. This also reflects the unsaid part i.e. consumption of proper quantity of food should not be occasional or as and when possible. It should be by choice, always, all times and in all conditions and one should get habituated to this rule. It is all about training ourselves and our gut and not deflecting from normal proportions.
Matra hi agneh pravartakah – Here we can see that the master has stressed upon the fact that ‘only that food taken in proper quantity will enrich the digestive fire’. The unsaid meaning is – ‘foods taken in less than or more than the proper (ideal) quantity of food will fail to kindle the digestive fire’. Less food will not satisfy the fire and more food will dilute the strength of the fire. So, one should always eat food in normal and proper quantities.
Also the master tells that both forms of food i.e. heavy and light foods depend on the quantity of food. This means to say that both kinds of foods should be consumed in proper quantities to get properly digested. It is not like we should be conscious about the quantity of heavy foods and be casual about lighter foods. We should be seriously conscious about the quantity of both kinds of foods. Even lighter foods when consumed in large quantities might become a troublemaker. The stomach doesn’t digest large quantities of food easily just because they are light in nature. Here too we need to observe that the ‘quantity of food’ plays a major role and is a significant consideration.
Matra Pramana – method of taking heavy and light foods, Definition of proper quantity of food
गुरूणामर्धसौहित्य लघूनां नातितृप्तता।
मात्राप्रमाणं निर्दिष्टं सुख यावद्विजीर्यति॥अ.हृ.सू.८/२॥
gurūṇāmardhasauhitya laghūnāṃ nātitṛptatā|
mātrāpramāṇaṃ nirdiṣṭaṃ sukha yāvadvijīryati||a.hṛ.sū.8/2||
Guru Ahara (heavy or hard to digest foods) – The quantity of heavy foods is ‘ardha sauhitya’ i.e. they should be consumed to half of one’s maximum (stomach) capacity is achieved i.e. until half satiation is achieved.
Laghu Ahara (light to digest foods) – The quantity of light foods is ‘na ati triptata’ i.e. they should be consumed till one is not too / totally satiated. One should stop consuming light foods when the stomach is not yet full.
Matra Pramana (proper / right quantity of food) – The proper / ideal quantity of food for a given individual is ‘sukham yavad vijiryati’ i.e. that quantity of food which undergoes digestion easily (without causing any trouble).
