Frozen Food and Ayurveda: A Contradiction or a Coexistence?

Convenience has taken over tradition in the present-day world. We see this in the outsized growth of frozen foods. Today, one sees tons of packaged foods and ingredients that either need to be heated, taken out of the freezer, or shaken before their consumption. To that effect, we have several options when it comes to commercial frozen foods, such as frozen vegetables and apps, pizzas, baked items, as well as many other packaged foods and drinks. A conscious person might ask the question: How is any of this related to Ayurveda, or the traditional nature of food done in the past?

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Understanding Ayurveda

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As a holistic system of medicine rooted in the soil of India and currently practiced in person and over the internet all over the world, Ayurveda (literally ‘science of life’) recognises that our health and wellbeing is intricately tied to the balance and harmony of mind, body and environment. Ayurveda divides humans into seven different prakritis, or basic choices of body type, based on three primary dosha categories, roughly translated as ‘what moves’ (Vata), ‘what burns’ (Pitta), and ‘what clings’ (Kapha). For each of these body types:  Ayurveda assigns a list of preferred and prohibited foods based on their properties. The Ayurvedic diet emphasizes fresh, seasonal, locally sourced foods that will heighten your vital life force or ‘prana.

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The Nature of Frozen Foods

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Frozen foods are meant to remain fresh eternally. They include everything – vegetables and fruits and ready-to-eat foods. Freezing is a method of cold-conserving food in which usually useful enzymatic and microbial activities are slowed down by lowering the temperature enough so that they are indistinguishable from their non-existence. Does the prana (life force) vanish from the food during these efforts? Ayurveda says yes!

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Ayurveda on Food Freshness

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According to Ayurvedic theory, your health and wellbeing is directly related to the quality of the food you eat. In the system of dietary classification food can be differentiated in three ways.

• Rajasic Food: Rajasic food increases energy and alertness. The potential energy in the cell is awareness, it becomes active due to the kinetic energy of rajas.

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• Tamasic Food: Tamasic food dulls the mind and creates dizziness and disorientation. Tamas food makes us feel tired, exhausted, and heavy. 

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• Sattvic Food:  Sattva is considered potential energy. Sattva makes us feel conscious and reawaken every morning. A sattvic diet consists of pure food(not processed) that is light in digestion & rich in prana (life force, energy) which energizes the body & relaxes the mind.

Impact on Doshas

Each dosha is sensitive to specific foods, and Vata dosha is sensitive to cold foods, such as frozen foods. Just as a Vata nature is already dry, cold, and light by nature, eating foods with those qualities – frozen foods and cold foods – will only exacerbate related conditions of dryness and coldness (such as digestive disorders and constipation, as well as anxiety and insomnia) in the body.

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Heat- and intensity-likened pitta dosha, the fire principle of the body, might be better able to tolerate frozen foods but still tend towards imbalances such as indigestion, acidity, and inflammation if the foods are consumed in excess. For congestive, cool and heavy Kapha dosha, frozen foods increase these qualities even further, causing weight gain, lethargy, and mucus-related issues.

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Integrating Ayurveda and Frozen Foods

Though the use of frozen foods is eschewed by Ayurveda, they can be incorporated into a modern Ayurvedic lifestyle, with some modifications: 

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Quality Frozen Foods: Make your first choice at the grocery the frozen food case. Choose foods that are minimally processed, without additives or preservatives, and with as many whole foods as possible (ie: organic foods are more like their home-cooked counterparts because, since they can’t be processed, no additives can be used).

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Proper Thawing and Cooking: When you use frozen foods, thaw them properly and cook them thoroughly to regain as much prana as you can that may have been lost during freezing. Use Fresh Ingredients Always Try To Add Fresh, Seasonal Ingredients To Frozen Foods By Throwing In Some Fresh Herbs, Spices And Vegetables.

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Balance with Fresh Meals: Eat as many fresh meals as you are able, and use frozen food as a supplement, not as the basis of your diet.

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Adjust According to your Dosha: Figuring out which dosha you are is important when choosing frozen foods. For example, warmer foods are better for Vatas, lighter foods are better for Kaphas, and Pittas shouldn’t eat many fiery foods.

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Ayurvedic Cooking Techniques

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By applying Ayurvedic cooking techniques, you can improve the pranic value of frozen ingredients, too:

• Let food warm up to room temperature before cooking to aid Agni (digestive fire)

• Warm up your range’s cast iron grill before using it.

• When stirring, chopping, or shredding, do it in a clockwise direction.

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Spices and Herbs: Turmeric (haldi), ginger (adrak), cumin (jeera), and coriander (dhania) not only add flavor to food but, equally importantly, they help balance the doshas and aid in digestion.

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Correct Method of Cooking: Steaming, boiling or sautéing are the preferred methods, as all food items have their own nutritional aspects and prana.

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Practices for a Healthy Digestive System: Eat in a calm atmosphere, chew consciously, and express gratitude for the food.

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Conclusion

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The modern prudence of frozen foods and the wisdom of Ayurveda is hard to reconcile at times; finding sustainable harmony can require discernment and exploration. Institutions that freeze their foods usually take the safest path so as to avoid lawsuits. The problem arises when frozen foods are regarded as replacements for genuine, fresh foods. We could lead happier, healthier lives if we paid closer attention to the Ayurvedic emphasis on locally grown, seasonal foods.

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To undergo one of the most powerful healing experiences in Ayurveda, and to learn how to incorporate the principles of Ayurveda into your daily life – we urge you to go to Naturoville Wellness Centre. At Naturoville, you can receive holistic care for your mind and your body through the blend of traditional Ayurvedic practices and modern wellness strategies from Naturoville’s network of healers. 

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Come to Naturoville Wellness Centre for Ayurvedic consultations and customised plans that will offer tailored nutrition, dietary practises and pampering therapies to calibrate your senses, harmonise your diet (even frozen foods can be utilised by balancing your doshas) and enhance wellness.

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