The best and the most nourishing foods are those that nature provides according to the needs of our body. Depending on the climate, seasons and other body specific factors, the foods must vary, if we are to stay healthy and free of diseases.

The appetite of a normal body fluctuates with variations in temperature and humidity. But most of us, conditioned by our habits and sometimes socially approved lifestyle, continue eating the same thing cooked in the same manner, month after month, day after day. The result is that our body cannot keep up with the natural changes of the environment, and vitality saps away.

The trick is to listen to what the body has to say. If there is no appetite, eat nothing, nothing at all. The body is tying to tell you that your stomach has had to deal with increased temperature both within and outside the body, making it more difficult to churn food, draw out its juices.

Ayurveda teaches us to differentiate between foods that are suitable for different climates and seasons. Each geographical area has its unique temperature, humidity and of course, the environmental conditions. Foods have to be classified likewise.

Hot spots:

During summers, the problems we may face are associated with insect bites, maybe skin rashes, and sunburn with cracking of the skin. The foods for the summer have to be inherently cooling in nature that with high moisture content. Zucchinis, cucumbers, sweet cool drinks like milk or thin buttermilk, rice, juicy fruits, tofu and other milk products are the right diet.

Meats are best avoided, so are alcohols. Sour, oily or hot foods are a complete no-no. A very effective coolant for the stomach that also maintains the balance for digestive juices is aloe vera juice.

Rain drain:

For the rainy season, honey is the best sweetener, with its warm drying qualities that soothe the system. A warm cup of tea with honey on a cold rainy day is good for the system as well as for the nerves. Full grains like barley, wheat and rice are recommended to strengthen the digestion after the excesses of the summer season. Nourishing vegetable soups are another good meal.

Autumn is here:

As the autumn season approaches, crisp coolness pervades the air and the body once again starts perking up to greet the cold season, that of re-energising and banishing lethargy of the wet and hot seasons past. At this time, everybody needs warm, moist, well-lubricated foods, with emphasis on sharp tastes, sour, sweet and salty. Light food is, however, recommended, with emphasis on ground spices. Mildly fragrant spices like cardamom find special favour.

Winter chills:

The human body digests well at winter, and the mind and the heart are also very alert. Growth, enhancement of natural immunities and strengthening of the memory, bringing vitality to the lungs and the heart all mark the winter season. The foods to stick to at this time of the year are warm cooked grains, rice and oats, beans, heavier proteins like meats, hot teas, hot milk, the list of soothing, comforting foods goes on. Winters are also the time for cough and excess mucus excretion from the body. Reducing mucus-producing foods like bananas can control this.

Rejuvenating spring:

It is the time when the stored energy of the heart is released. Spring is also the time for flus, fevers and viral infections. In most traditional cultures, it is the time for green tonic of dark leafy greens dandelions (good for the liver), and nettles (good for the kidneys) are a good choice. Ginger tea is the broth of the season, when literally, the body needs to spring clean the toxins accumulated over the winter months.