Eating Out and Travel in Ayurveda: Practical Habits Away from Home

Routines are easy at home and harder in restaurants, on trains and in other time zones. The classical texts anticipated the problem in their own way. They speak of adapting to place (desha) and time (kala), and of what a person is used to (satmya), and they advise changing habits gradually, not suddenly. This page explains these ideas as tradition and then gives practical habits for eating out and travelling.

It does not recommend herbs, remedies or supplements for travel upsets, and it does not claim that any habit prevents illness. Food and water safety advice comes from MedlinePlus. The last section lists the signs that need a doctor, which matter more when you are away from home.

What the tradition says

The Charaka Samhita lists factors to weigh when eating, among them the place, the season, the person’s own constitution and habits, and the quantity of food. Teachers draw from this the idea that a body accustomed to one climate and diet does best when changes are gradual. The word satmya is used for what has become suitable through long habit, and the tradition says that a sudden break from long-standing habits is best avoided, while even a good change should be made step by step.

The tradition also cares about the quality of the food and how it is prepared. Freshly cooked, warm food is preferred over old, reheated or stale food, and the texts warn against eating when not hungry or in a hurry. These ideas are traditional and have not been tested as the tradition states them, but they overlap sensibly with modern food safety. See mindful eating and food combining.

Eating out: habits that help

1. Choose food that is freshly cooked and served hot. It is the traditional preference, and it is also what MedlinePlus advises for travellers: thoroughly cooked food served hot.
2. Be cautious with raw items that you cannot wash or peel yourself, particularly in places where water quality is uncertain.
3. Do not arrive starving. A small, light snack beforehand makes it easier to order sensibly and eat at a calm pace.
4. Eat slowly and stop before you feel heavy. Restaurant portions are often large, so sharing a dish or taking some home is ordinary good sense.
5. Pick simpler dishes when your digestion is feeling delicate. Rich, fried or very spicy food is hard on some people, and the tradition describes it as heavy or heating.
6. Go easy on very cold drinks and ice with a meal, in line with the tradition. Where water safety is a concern, avoid ice unless it is made from safe water.
7. Take a short walk after eating if you can.
8. Keep your usual meal times as far as possible when you are travelling.

For eating in line with your own constitution, see eating for vata, pitta and kapha. These are tendencies in a traditional system and not rules.

Travel: habits that help

• Ease into the new place. Give yourself a day or two to adjust before changing too much.
• Follow the local rhythm. Eat at local meal times once you arrive and get outdoors in daylight to help your body settle. See sleep and seasons outside India for how the tradition is adapted to other climates.
• Pack simple routines. A water bottle, a light snack from home and a regular bedtime make long journeys easier.
• Move on long journeys. Stand and walk when you can, and stretch gently. See yoga and pranayama.
• Plan rest on arrival and avoid packing every hour.
• Sort your medicines before you leave and carry them in your hand luggage with the prescription.

The tradition describes travel as increasing vata, with its qualities of movement and irregularity, so teachers often suggest warmth, regularity and a calm evening on the road. This is a traditional way of describing the unsettling effect of travel, and not a medical claim.

Food and water safety

MedlinePlus advises travellers to use only bottled or purified water for drinking, for making ice cubes and for brushing teeth, or to make tap water safer by boiling it. It says water in some regions may carry viruses, bacteria and parasites that cause gastrointestinal illness, that food should be thoroughly cooked and served hot, and that raw produce that has not been washed or peeled should be avoided. Wash your hands before eating, and check local advice or a travel clinic before you go.

Safety

Do not rely on herbs, powders or home remedies to prevent or treat travel illness. They may interact with medicines, may not be suitable in pregnancy, breastfeeding or for children, and quality varies. Take care with street food and unfamiliar water if you are pregnant, elderly, have a weakened immune system or have a long-term condition, and talk to your doctor before travelling. If you have food allergies, ask about ingredients and do not guess.

Signs that need a doctor

Seek medical care promptly if, during or after a trip, you have:

• Diarrhoea that lasts more than a few days, contains blood, or comes with fever.
• Vomiting that will not stop, or signs of dehydration such as very dry mouth, little urine, dizziness or extreme thirst.
• Severe or persistent abdominal pain.
• Fever after travel, especially in areas where malaria or dengue occur. Tell the doctor where you have been.
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• A severe allergic reaction, with swelling of the lips or face or trouble breathing. Call 112 in India, or the local emergency number.
• Symptoms in a baby, young child, pregnant woman or older person, who can become unwell quickly.
• Any symptom that worries you, however minor it seems.

Nothing here is medical advice. Read the medical disclaimer, ask a doctor or a travel clinic about your own health before and after a trip, and see a registered Ayurvedic practitioner for Ayurvedic treatment.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: MedlinePlus: Travelers’ Health.