According to Yoga and Naturopathy (also
called Ayurveda) the following guideline is considered as a simple but golden
answer to this question. “One should fill nearly half the stomach with food, a
quarter of stomach with water and leave the remaining quarter for the free
movement of air.” We cannon measure our stomach to determine the quantity
exactly- but physically and mentally feel this easily, when we have taken right
amount of food if we train ourselves. Always make it a habit to stop eating when
you are still hungry and can eat some more. Be satisfied that you have eaten
enough and later this habit will repay you enormously. On the other hand, as we
all know, water is essential for our health so we must drink a lot of water
daily. But most of us follow the less beneficial habit and drink plenty of
water with or immediately after our meals because we think this water will help
in digestion of food. Actually, this could work the other way and hinder the
process of digestion instead of helping it. The digestive starts in the mouth.
If you patiently chew your food well and let mix with the digestive saliva of
the mouth without hurriedly gulping it down with water (or other drinks), your
stomach and the other organs can easily handle the digestive process and you
will feel light, active and no or less need of water. Then as for the drinking
of water, always try to drink it sometimes before or after the meals and in
between your mealtimes.
