Hot and Cold Foods

 As we were growing up, all foods were supposed to be either hot or cold. I do not know

all foods that are cool and hot. I am sure they are listed under Ayurvedic medicine, which

is one of the most ancient medicines of the world. The older generation knew them all.

Different Foods had to be eaten at different age, condition of your health and time. For

example a pregnant woman was supposed to eat foods that were cooling for her body, as

it was believed according to the ancient Ayurvedic medicine that pregnancy produced

heat in the body. However, after birth the body was cool because of the loss of blood,

fluids and the baby that produced the heat. The body was now cooler than desired and

therefore to maintain the proper balance, foods that produced heat were given to the

mother. There was a special mixture that was given to the mother twice a day. It was

prepared with special roots, herbs, garlic, ghee etc. and it tasted divine. Non-vegetarians

drank chicken soup made of a whole baby chicken. The woman also got plenty of rest, oil

massage for herself and the baby and special food for at least forty days after delivery. A

special nurse looked after the mother and baby. If people were poor, the ladies in the

family took on the job of looking after the mother and child. The strength that she gained

during those forty days stood her good throughout her life. As a result, the mother and baby looked

healthy with their skin and hair glowing and shining with life. I also remember a cloth

being tied very tightly around the mother’s stomach to perhaps flatten the stomach. I have

seen it done to my mother. This also is an age old custom. Present day woman can use a

corset instead.