The Free Press Journal

The buddhist diet

What is the buddhist diet? Fasting Foods to eat on a buddhist diet Pros and cons of the buddhist diet

- Diagnosing an ANS disorder Treating clogged ears Getting rid of hiccups

The Buddhist diet is a strictly vegetarian diet that includes plant-based foods and excludes foods such as meat, fish, poultry, onion, garlic and leeks. The basic principle of the Buddhist diet is leading a healthy lifestyle by incorporat­ing healthy foods, eating at the right time and in the right quantity. Like many religions, Buddhism has dietary food restrictio­ns and traditions and it’s based on three dietary aspects: vegetarian­ism, fasting and abstention from alcohol.

Vegetarian­ism

A healthy vegetarian diet consists of plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, healthy oils and legumes. These foods are high in disease-fighting antioxidan­ts that help improve your health and prevent the onset of diseases.

One of the teachings of Buddhism prohibits killing animals and consuming the meat. But, there are different sections of Buddhists who consume whatever foods are served to them, including meat as long as the animals are not specifical­ly killed to feed them. Neverthele­ss, the Buddhist diet strictly involves eating vegetarian foods.

Legumes such as black beans, lentils, kidney beans and chickpeas.

Whole grains such as rice, oats and quinoa.

Nuts and seeds Healthy oils such as olive oil, avocado oil and flaxseed oil.

Foods to avoid on a buddhist diet

Eggs

Dairy

Meat

Fish

Pungent vegetables and spices

Alcohol

Sweets and desserts are consumed in moderation

With the Sun shining bright all day long, we tend to get dehydrated easily. Skin dehydratio­n during summers, makes our skin vulnerable to sun allergies, wrinkling, dry skin, tanning and dark patches. The first step to summer skin care is to keep the skin hydrated during summers. Here are some ways to keep your skin hydrated during summers - Drinking loads of water is the first way to keep skin hydrated during summers. According to a recent study, the amount of water one drinks should be half the amount of our weight. If someone weighs 80 kilos, she should drink 40 ounce of water. Drinking enough water prevents your skin from

When we say fasting, we are talking about intermitte­nt fasting (IF), a form of time-restricted eating. It focuses on when you should be eating your foods. Buddhists believe in intermitte­nt fasting as a way to practice self-control by abstaining from consuming foods and drinks from noon until dawn the next day.

Abstention from alcohol

Another important principle of the Buddhist diet is it does not encourage the consumptio­n of alcohol. Many Buddhists avoid alcohol because of its effect on the mind as it is a very addictive substance.

Fruits such as apples, bananas, berries, apples, citrus fruits, etc.

Vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, bell peppers, tomatoes, etc. loosing the water content and also makes them look healthy.

The bright Sun leads to faster creation of dead skin cells, which gives rise to other problems, thus, summer skin care is important. Keeping your skin hydrated during summers can help you prevent dead skin. The best way is to drink antioxidan­t rich fruits. This helps to flush out all the impurities as well all keep the skin healthy.

Body massage is a must during summers. Body massage enhances the natural detoxifica­tion precess by enhancing blood circulatio­n and stimulatin­g the lymphatic system. This helps the body to retain the necessary moisture and also keep it

Since the Buddhist diet involves the consumptio­n of plantbased foods such as fruits, vegetables, healthy oils and legumes, studies have shown that plant-based diets can reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases.

A study published in the Asia Pacific Journal Of Clinical Nutrition showed that Buddhists who followed a vegetarian diet for a longer time had less body fat compared to those who followed the diet for a shorter time.

In addition, the Buddhist diet prohibits the consumptio­n of alcohol, which is good because studies have shown that alcohol consumptio­n increases the risk of chronic diseases.

On the other hand, the drawbacks of the Buddhist diet is that it restricts the consumptio­n of meat, eggs and dairy, which can cause a deficiency in certain nutrients. Fasting is an important aspect of the Buddhist diet and studies have shown that fasting can aid in weight loss. However, fasting for long hours from noon till dawn can be difficult and can also interfere with your social and profession­al life.

During the Valsalva maneuver, you exhale through blocked airways. Valsalva maneuver s can also balance the air pressure in your ears. Along with closing your mouth and pinching your nose, you bear down as if having a bowel movement. The maneuver affects your heartbeat and blood pressure rapidly.

To make sure you are using this technique correctly, you should first try it under a doctor’s supervisio­n and for a reasonable amount of time.

You can perform the Valsalva maneuver by following these steps in order:

Pinch your nose shut. Keep your mouth shut. Try to exhale like you are inflating a balloon.

Be sure to bear down as if you were going to the bathroom.

Hold that position for a few seconds.

Breathe out forcibly to release the breath rapidly.

Now, resume normal breathing.

Valsalva maneuver can be performed seated or lying down. Discuss which approach would be best for you with your doctor.

The Valsalva maneuver is primarily used to lower blood pressure and heart rate.

Besides treating an abnormal heart rate, the Valsalva maneuver can also be used to diagnose an ANS disorder. As your heart rate and blood pressure change throughout the various phases of the Valsalva maneuver, your doctor can identify problems with your sympatheti­c and parasympat­hetic nervous systems.

How to perform the valsalva amneuver?

Valsalva maneuver s can also be helpful when your Eustachian tube is temporaril­y blocked by air (this may have happened to you during take-off or landing on an aeroplane). By forcing air through your sinuses and Eustachian tube, the Valsalva maneuver can help open your ears.

Many people find that they can relieve hiccups by performing the Valsalva maneuver.

Potential risks of the valsalva maneuver

If you have heart disease, you shouldn’t perform the Valsalva maneuver unless your doctor advises you. There is a possibilit­y that the procedure could cause chest pain or irregular heartbeats.

The maneuver can also cause an increase in pressure behind the eyes. In case of retinopath­y, damage to the retina, or if you have an implanted lens, don’t do the Valsalva maneuver.

Side effects are rare, but you should consult your doctor if you have concerns about the procedure.

Disclaimer: The Free Press Journal bears no responsibi­lity for the content that appears on this page.

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