3 Reasons why food should be consumed within 1-3 hours of cooking

We have often heard one thing since childhood that food should not be thrown away. This is also the reason due to which Indians keep the leftover food in the fridge and when they feel hungry, they eat it after heating it. At the same time, science says that the leftover food can be eaten after heating it; but Ayurveda looks at this from a different perspective. According to Ayurveda, the leftover food should not be consumed for it may have adverse impact on health.

1. Fresh food is more nutritious and healthier It is a fact that freshly cooked food is full of healthy nutrients. Whereas stale food reduces the amount of nutrients, and increases the inertia of the food items. On the other hand, according to Ayurveda, food remains fresh only from 1-3 hours of cooking.

Although if you ever have to eat food that is cooked beforehand, you need to learn how to store it so that it does not spoil. According to Ayurveda, this food should be avoided and consumed only if you have no means to enjoy a freshly cooked meal. Vacuum packing or heat insulation is an option to consider while storing food cooked earlier so that bacteria does not develop in the food making it unsuitable for consumption.

2. Stale food triggers dosha imbalances in the body. According to Ayurveda, if you eat leftover food, it can cause many doshas and problems related to the digestive system. Out of the three main doshas – Vata, Pitta, Kapha, the Vata Dosha is very closely related to the digestive system and stale food is known for causing imbalances in the body. Germs and bacteria grow very fast in leftover food. In addition, the amount of nutrients in the leftover food also decreases. Therefore, food if consumed within the 1 hour of cooking is the best food you’re feeding your body with.

3. You are what you eat All the yoga and ayurveda advocates say that the quality of food determines the nature of your being. If you eat fresh, healthy and sattvic meals, you are home to an energetic body. If you eat stale, junk and rajasic meals, you become a lazy, aggressive being.

So in order to live a healthy and an energetic life, always consume food within 1-3 hours of cooking it. At Akshaya Chaitanya, we ensure that all the meals that are donated to all the beneficiaries are always freshly cooked and delivered within 1-3 hours of cooking. The joy on their faces while enjoying one hot, healthy and nourishing meal in a day is fulfilling. To help us feed the beneficiaries, visit www.akshayachaitanya.org today and contribute as much as you please.