In nutrition, diet is the sum of food consumed by a person or other organism. Dietary habits are the habitual decisions an individual or culture makes when choosing what foods to eat. The word diet often implies the use of specific intake of nutrition for health or weight management reasons (with the two often being related). Proper nutrition requires ingestion and absorption of vitamins, minerals, and food energy in the form of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Dietary habits and choices play a significant role in the quality of life, health and longevity. It can define cultures and play a role in religion.
DIET IN HOMEOPATHY
Various interactions and experiments on the patient pool have lead us to the conclusion that it is not necessary to remove every article of medicinal nature from the patients diet. Only those items should be restricted to which the patient’s body is not accustomed. If a person is using a particular item for continued period of time, we generally do not restrict it but if the use is occasional or of recent origin it’s advisable to avoid it. We restrict certain dietary substances if there is a direct bearing with the disease condition- like restricting oxalate rich food in cases of Renal calculi and Gout, cold and sour things in cases of recurring cold, Bronchitis and Asthma etc. There are no hard and fast rules but our dietary suggestions may vary from person to person. At the start of treatment a dietary chart is provided to the patient for the betterment of their health.
The older Indian concept and to a much larger extent Ayurveda classifies food into 3 basic categories:
SATVA or LIGHT FOOD: such as fresh vegetables, rice, milk, butter, honey, fruits, nuts when eaten in right quantity will balance all three doshas, bring mental harmony and evoke conscious awareness.
RAJAS or RICH FOOD: such as garlic, coffee, and wine, fried food, too spicy or too hot will stimulate fantasy, jealousy, and ego. Although these emotions may appear as negative aspects, some of these emotions are needed to lead a normal life. Rajasic food should be included in the diet with modesty.
TAMAS or DULL/SLUGGISH: food list contain frozen food, certain root vegetables, peanut, left- over and meats that may need more energy to digest. Such food may enhance emotions like ignorance, greed and laziness. This food category must be included in the diet with caution.
Dietary intake For Infants,Children,Youngsters, Adults and in Pregnancy.
Remember, it is just the average amount that people should try.
Naturally, newborns and infants have little control over what they eat, and their parents are responsible for selecting and providing any source of nourishment they receive
Dietary Intake For Infants
Dietry intake for Children & Adults
Normal Dietary Intake In Pregnancy
Women who follow a healthy diet before pregnancy may only need to make some basic changes and those who do not follow should start making healthy changes before becoming pregnant to give birth to a healthy, thriving baby.
Sometimes requires Vitamin or Mineral supplements especially Iron, Calcium, Folate and for some women Vitamin D. Generally, sodium should be restricted to avoid developing high blood pressure .