“Dear Vaidya ji,
I have a question about the frequency of meals as recommended by Ayurveda. I know that a lot of Ayurvedic practitioners are very strict about not having more than a maximum of 3 meals. However, one hears quite the opposite from conventional health practitioners (and even some Ayurvedic doctors). What do you recommend and should the frequency vary with age?
Thanks! Vaishnavi S.”
Dear Vaishnavi: One thing that Ayurveda in general, and SV Ayurveda in particular, stress is that there is not one rule for everybody. Based on prakriti, age, agnibala or strength of your metabolism, ethnic background, and environment climactic, individual details regarding profession, physical activity, etc, the dietary or meal frequency recommendations will vary. So, for example, if a person is pitta pitta, with young age or at the pittaage (approximately 28-58) with high digestive and metabolic fire, they will have to consume a minimum of 4-5 meals a day. On the other hand, a person with a kapha-kapha type living in a cold and damp environment with low metabolic and digestive fire eating 3 times a day is doing great. So the answer is: try to find a SVA practitioner who can help you determine your needs and who will be able to give you different kinds of spice mixes and protocols, to keep things in optimal balance.
