Ideal quantity of food according to Ayurveda

Apart from the calorie counts, recommended daily allowances and portion sizes described in modern dietetics, Ayurveda has described the ideal quantity of food in a very simple way: मात्राशी स्यात् । आहारमात्रा पुनरग्निबलापेक्षिणी ।। च. सू. ५/३ Food should be consumed in proper quantity. The ideal quantity of food for a person depends upon his/her Agni ( the digestive power). The Agni of a person depends upon his Prakriti( body type). For instance, a Pitta person has Teekshnagni (strong appetite) and eats a large quantity of food at a time. Whereas a Kapha person has Mandagni and feels satiated with little food. Agni also varies with age, season, illness, etc. For example, Agni is strong in the Hemant Ritu(Winter season) and weak in the Varsha Ritu ( monsoon). Hence, the the quantity of food also varies according to these factors. While explaining the ideal quantity of food, Acharya Charak has given the following symptoms: The quantity of food that causes- - No discomfort or pain in the abdomen or flanks - No pressure or tightness in the chest - No acid reflux, bloating or heartburn - No lethargy - Pleases the senses and nourishes the body - Gets easily digested and metabolised in proper time - Maintains the balance of doshas That should be considered the ideal quantity of food for that person. Also, quantity of food depends upon the Guru (heavy) and Laghu ( light) qualities of food. Heavy foods should be taken only in 1/2 or 1/3rd of our capacity. But if a person has strong Agni and does regular exercise, he may also have heavy foods to his/her heart's content and still digest it. On the contrary, if a person has weak Agni, even light foods in large quantity may not get digested easily. Isn't it easy and completely logical? You don't have to be a dietician or do any complex calorie count to understand this. Along with these, the Ashtau Ahar Vidhi Visheshaytanas should also be taken into account without which this assessment would be incomplete. These eight factors should be considered before taking food: 1. Prakriti ( nature of food) 2. Karana (processing of food) 3. Samyoga (food combination) 4. Rashi (quantity) 5. Desha (habitat) 6. Kala (time) 7. Upyoga-sansatha (#ahaarvidhi ) (explained in my earlier post) 8. Upyokta (user)