09/04/2026
What makes a food “healthy”?
Ayurveda asks us to look beyond the food itself. Its nature, preparation, combination, quantity, time, place, and the individual eating it all matter.
In Part 1 of this four-part series, I begin with the classical framework of the eight specific factors (Ashta Ahara Vidhi Visheshayatana) Ayurveda considers in relation to food and its appropriate use, described in the classical textbook Charaka Samhita.
Part 1: Looking Beyond the Food
Is the "Healthiest" Diet Always Healthy for You? An Ayurvedic Perspective — Part 1 of 4: Looking Beyond the Food The idea of a "healthy diet" sounds simple enough, until we begin to look at it more closely. We commonly see vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, seeds, salads, sprouts, and ferm...