Traditional & Alternative Medicine

Holistic Nutrition and Dietetics in Traditional Systems

Holistic Nutrition and Dieteticts in Traditional Systems represent a profound and time-tested approach to food and health, viewing diet not simply as a source of calories or nutrients, but as a vital force that influences the body, mind, and spirit. These systems consider not only what a person eats but also how, when, and why they eat, placing significant importance on digestion, metabolic constitution, seasonal changes, emotional state, and lifestyle. In these traditions, food is regarded as the first medicine, and nutritional therapy is a core component of disease prevention and management. In ayurveda, for instance, the concept of Ahara (diet) is integral to maintaining doshic balance (Vata, Pitta, Kapha). Foods are classified by their taste (rasa), energy (virya), post-digestive effect (vipaka), and influence on consciousness (prabhava).