And here I’m back with the next dietary rule – ‘Jirne Ashniyat’,
By now you all are well acquainted with the word Ashniyat, the new word for the day is ‘Jirne’, which literally means – One should always eat, only when the previous meal is well digested, contrary to what is commonly advised by the dieticians – Eat after every 2 hrs and this one is now another dilemma for my wonderful readers. No worries, I’ll tell you the reasons and benefits for the same, and make it easy for you to decide.
Let us try to take a look at what happens if we eat, before the previous meal is not completely digested –
Imagine a scenario – You are cooking a delicious meal for dinner, you are all set. The rice and veggies are half way down cooked and would be ready in next 10 mins. To your surprise you have 4-5 friends dropping in, you realize that the food you cooked would not be sufficient for all – what do you do? – wash some rice grains and veggies and add them to 
your half cooked recipe – and then serve. The result will be – but obvious – your recipe would be ruined. It would be a mixture of – properly cooked and half cooked rice and veggies – surely leaving everyone hungry or even if you gulp it down – it would end up in either stomach ache or indigestion.
Now, think for a moment and imagine the same scenario in your body, the previous meal is in its process of digestion, proper amount of digestive juices and Agni are at their work, the food is in the process of conversion into the nutritional components (Ahar rasa) and suddenly you add the next meal, maybe a small snack like dryfruits, fruits or sandwich. At this instance we push the body in a state of confusion, one signal tells the body to move the processed food ahead along with the peristaltic movements of the gut, and the other signal instructs to secrete digestive juices or pitta for digestion of the newly added food. In short this results in vitiation of all the doshas, indigestion, bloating, acidity, constipation,formation of toxins (aam dosha) and lowered nutrition despite of having healthy and nutritious food. When this happens repetitively it surely weakens the digestive system and also subsequently affects the other systems in the body.
No matter how healthy,and nutritionally loaded food you have, it is of no use if it is left undigested. A minimum of 6-8 hrs are needed for food to digest completely, varying upon the digestive strength of an individual. This is why Ayurveda stresses on the rule ‘Jirne ashniyat’. So we should always eat only when the first meal is completely digested and when we are really hungry.
Benefits of Jirne Ashniyat –
- Kindles digestive fire, and promotes proper digestion.
- Opens up all the strotas (channels).
- Reduces formation of Aam (toxins).
- Helps proper conversion and absorption of nutritents in the body.
- Improves health.
- Maintains Dosha Dhatu and Mala equilibrium.
- Builds energy and rejuvenates the body.
- Healthy, strong and long life.
How do I know that the food is completely digested ?
Ayurveda explains the signs of Jirna Ahar –
- Urge of clear burps (without any taste or smell).
- Passing of clear flatus, urine, and stools easily without any stimulants.
- Feeling of lightness in the body.
- Natural and timely urge for hunger.
- Feeling of freshness and enthusiasm towards work.
Here’s a small and easy tip to satisfy the rule :
- Have two proper meals in a day, try to have your lunch before 12pm and dinner by 8pm.
- Stop munching unnecessary snacks meanwhile just to satisfy your cravings.
- Respect and respond to your natural urges.
- Don’t forget the previous rules.
Follow the dietetic rules and Stay Healthy, stay happy.