Eating Wisely And Well

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Eating right is an important subject for all of us, After all, a healthy body is essential for a happy and productive life. Eating Wisely and Well simplifies the art of eating for optimal health. This book is a unique blend of knowledge from the East and the West. It addresses common questions such as which oils to use, demolishes myths such as the glorification of proteins, and provides authentic information about nutrients such as antioxidants and phytochemicals. Moreover, it has been written by an expert on nutrition who understands the modern science of nutrition inside out, and at the same time knows where and how to supplement it with ancient wisdom.

So,. if you want answers to questions such as how much water should you ideally drink, which is the best cooking oil, whether genetically-modified food is safe, how to eat right according to your predominant dosha, as well as tips on losing weight, this is the book for you.

Educated at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr Ramesh Bijlani, MD; SM; DSc (Honoris causa); FAMS, spent twenty-five years researching on nutrition in relation to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. At the same time, since 1992, he has delved into the depths of yoga, specially the integral yoga of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. His intimate contact with ancient Indian wisdom has made him aware of the lacunae in the modern science of nutrition, and how these may be filled up by turning to Ayurveda and yoga. He is also the author of Back to Health through Yoga.

DR. Bijlani is an expert nutritionist. He combines ancient wisdom with modern knowledge. In an ever changing dietary world of confusing facts and findings this book brings clarity understanding and caution.

Getting into the Spirit of the Book
One should not eat in order to please the palate, but lust to keep the body going. When each organ of sense subserves the body, and through the body the soul, its special relish disappears and then alone does it begin to function in the way nature intended it to.

One way of looking at life is as a series of choices, and we can exercise those choices at different levels. For example, when it comes to food, we may choose primarily from the emotional level and eat what we find good to taste. Alternatively, we may rise to the rational level and eat what is in the best interests of good health. For this, we need to know what benefits different foods provide us and what our requirements are. The science of nutrition, winch embodies this knowledge, is still incomplete, but is growing and constantly getting better. The principal goal of this book is to give the reader the current scientific knowledge about nutrition in a way that is easy to understand and also easy to apply in daily life. The good news is that eating a healthy diet is simple, especially for Indians, because a good traditional Indian diet meets our requirements in terms of current scientific knowledge exceedingly well.

When it comes to making choices, it is also possible to rise above the rational, access the deepest part of our being and make a choice based on love and compassion. Doing so in relation to food leads us to choices which are not only healthy but also ethical and eco-friendly. One who makes such choices becomes not just physically healthy but also enjoys inner peace and well-being. This is an aspect of nutrition that goes beyond what is strictly scientific, but is a part of wisdom traditions.

The three levels of decision-making: emotional, rational and supra-rational, are neither totally unrelated, nor necessarily in conflict with one another. A healthy, ethical and eco-friendly diet can also be very palatable. This book aims at facilitating food choices that are not only scientifically sound but also satisfactory from every other angle. Moderation, not monasticism, is the thrust of this book, and not just because monasticism does not suit most of us. Intolerable dos and don’ts about foods are impressive, but neither necessary nor desirable. The mental stress created by denial and deprivation may do more harm to physical health than the good that eating by the rule book might do. Prolonged fasts and punishing food regimens in the name of spiritual discipline might generate deadly spiritual pride rather than spiritual progress.

The first book that I wrote was also a popular book on nutrition. It was published in 1974 under the title Eating Scientifically, and has long been out of print. In the thirty—eight years since that book was published, the science of nutrition has grown, food choices have changed and hopefully, with the passing years, I have acquired not only experience but also some more knowledge and wisdom. I am pleased to share with the readers my current perception of a subject which is a major preoccupation of man. Readers may feel free to send me comments and suggestions for further improving this book, by writing to me at [email protected].