Eat Right - at the Best Time, in the Best Atmosphere, to Create the Best Digestion

When we are stressed, we eat too fast.
When we are lonely, we eat too much.
When we are busy, we eat standing up.
When we are driving, we should never eat.
When we are arguing, we need to put down our fork.
When do we?  Overeating can be an issue for all of us during the holidays.
Here is a great article with Ayurvedic Principles for eating from Ayusante.com

25 Ayurvedic Principles for Eating Right

Now that we clearly understand some eating mistakes that we could be committing as well as Ayurveda's recommendations for eating right, let's have a look at the Ayurvedic principles for eating right:

• Eat only when you're hungry.
• Avoid eating before Sunrise or after Sunset.
• Consume your heaviest meal when the Sun is at its peak - lunch.
• Never eat while you're facing South. East should be preferred.
• Wash your face, hands and legs before a meal. Make sure the utensils are also clean.
• If you eat after Sunset, avoid sour foods.
• Meditate briefly before you eat the food to raise the energy.
• Eat and drink only while you're sitting.
• Eat only when the right nostril is free and open, drink only when the left nostril is functioning without blockage.
• Prefer freshly cooked food to one that is processed.
• Don't eat anything that you don't like. Your mind and body will not be happy or satiated.
• Don't eat anything that is too hot or too cold. Everything should be of moderate temperature.
• Never mix temperatures of food. Don't have something hot and cold at the same time.
• Don't talk or laugh while eating. Focus on eating more than anything else.
• Don't drink water after finishing a meal. Preferably, have water about half-an-hour before a meal. You are allowed to sip water while having your meal to aid digestion.
• Don't eat too fast or too slow.
• Don't snack between meals. You should drink lukewarm water when you have a craving.
• Over-greasy food is not good, neither is food that's too dry.
• Wash your face, hands and legs after the meal as well.
• Don't sleep or lie down within two hours of having a meal. It's bad for digestion.
• Don't do anything that requires a lot of physical or mental effort right after a meal.
• You can urinate right after eating, but try not to defecate for a few hours after a meal.
• Don't take tea half-an-hour before or after a meal.
• Make sure the meal during or after Sunset is not very heavy.
• Try to laugh after a meal - it promotes digestion.