The supporting pillar of our body includes food, sleep & Bramacharya (Stay in conduct). A proper, optimum and skilful use of these triad maintains the integrity, physical, immunological strength, complexion, growth, nourish- ment, till full length of life. Among them food acts as the foundation or rather energy provider for the other two components. Most health problems develop due to the wrong eating habits and cooking methods.
When we look back, to 1970’s Kerala state had already achieved the criteria similar to the health status which was to be achieved in 2000 as per the WHO criteria. But unfortunately, the condition got altered and the state got into the list of top ten among the lifestyle disorders.
Foods are altered, treated, processed, coloured, sulphurated, embalmed, adulterated, preserved, pickled, cooked sterilised and pasteurized leading to deprivation of nutritional values, which is the curse of this age. The modern society got merged into the regimens of tea, coffee, cold- drinks, instant food, bottled and canned foods, alcohol consumption, smoking, drug addiction and so on. The commercial advertisement seems to bind a ready sale to the credulous miss informed public about the nutrition supplements. There is a high demand among the public for imported vegetables, fruits etc which actually do not suit the climate of India.
This article will throw the light in the necessity of rethinking the suitability according to seasons, places, climates, occupation, way of life etc, which is the matter of the hour. This in turn will ponder over the problem in a verycritical manner and analyse various merits and demerits to rearrange them for the upliftment of good health and living.
Keywords: food, Nidra (Sleep)