Ahara, i.e., diet, possesses a very significant place in Ayurveda which is
evident from its inclusion among Trayoupastambha (three main pillars of life).
According to classical literature, Ayurveda places significant importance on food and
categorizes it in various ways based on factors such as an individual's constitution,
properties of the food, therapeutic benefits, and more. Food has been considered as
medicine, and according to pathya Kalpana, dietary restrictions along with diseasespecific recipes have been vividly mentioned. Apt, optimal and dexterous use of them
facilitates the human body to sustain its integrity, being enriched with bala (strength),
varna (complexion), and upachaya (growth of nourishment) till longevity. Considering
the essentiality of food, the treatise has also focussed on the need for vigilance in the
case of diet. Thus, this chapter is an effort to discuss the insights into nutra-vigilance
from Ayurveda Classics.
Keywords: Ayurveda, Ahara, Agrya, Agni, Diet, Food Incompatibility, Dietary restrictions, Pathya, Prakriti, Viruddhaahara.
