When to eat fruits - #21761
Dear doctor, I want to go into a 2-meal plan as ayurveda prescribes. I am thinking of one meal at 10am, second at 4pm. In that case, when will I consume fruits? Is fruits not an additional meal as per ayurveda?
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Doctors’ responses
Sanjay ji namaskar, Fruits do a job of agni vardhan (increase appetite) taking as first meal can cause acidity. I think you should take bowl of fruits at 1pm, after having a meal at 10am also you can add a herbal tea, at around 12pm. And have another meal by 4pm as per your plan. Special Considerations for Diabetes and Hypertension:
Choose low-glycemic fruits like:
Indian gooseberry (amla)
Jamun (black plum)
Berries
Guava
Pomegranate (in small portions)
Apple (half) Avoid or strictly limit:Banana, mango, grapes, and jackfruit Fruit juices (they spike blood sugar quickly) #Portion control is vital. Stick to one small bowl (roughly 100g) at a time.
You can consume at any time there is no restriction
But if you are diabetic only can eat papaya apple ond guava just 2 pieces occ.y
As you told Ayurveda suggests two meal per day, in which these 2 meals are Annaja/ Kind of solid food. So while considering fruits as solid you have to take it as it’s form/smashed form rather than juice. But better take fruits with other solids since you are limiting the food in to two times. Otherwise there may be chances of gut irritation/Gas problems, etc. Try to select fruits according to the seasonal changes Eg; More Watery fruits on summer seasons
It’s better to consume at morning breakfast It will be good for your Gut flora
you can take fruits before food will be actually beneficial as u have hypertension and diabetes it is better to take fruits twice a day along with food and equal quantity of fruit and food i.e. if u are taking 500 grams of food means take 250 grams of fruit and 250 grams of normal food so that it will be beneficial and also prefer apple, papaya, guava, pineapple, Indian gooseberry and some of the seasonal fruits
It’s advisable before meal. Avoid Mangoes, Banana, grapes, chiku etc
Fruits intake or phalahara is taken when suryodaya it means when sun rise aur after sun rise it can be taken …is diabetic patients fruits are taken as a meal or as a breakfast …bc fruits has less glycemic index while wheat and other lentils as higher glycemic index then fruits
Accepts mango/banana/cheeku/sugarcane/grapes you can take all fruits in limited quantity
Thanks
Hi, Avoid mango banana grapes contain natural sugar Avoid empty stomach early in morning and Before bedtime Add after meal after 1 2hr if u r consuming high carb meal Add nuts if u r only on low glycemic fruits
Fruits are to be eaten raw so should not mix cooked food with raw food Do not eat fruits after dinner as it will increase sugar levels Best to have fruits is as breakfast or evening snacks 1/2 hr. Before dinner Choice of fruit is also very important as per your health . Too much fruits also is harmful for health as it increases k+ in the body And sweet fruit increases sugar levels as it contains fructose
Ur meal planning is good. U can take fruits all mix as salad form with ur meals… Or u can eat any of Seasonal fruits on 1/2 pcs just after taking ur meals mainly Banana,Guava,Apple, Papaya etc… Don’t take high watery fruits after meal. Don’t worry of Diabetes or HTN, eating fruits in proper ways help to control them…
Breakfast 7-8 am - Falahar - Seasonal Fruit Mixture (Apple Pomegranate Guava Papaya etc with Lowe Glycemic index) Avoid Mango Chiku Grapes
Lunch 10 am - 40 % Fibers ( Leafy Vegetables Fruits salads sprouts Mixtures) with Roti + Sabji + Dal + Brown Rice
Dinner 5 pm - Light Diet Or Half of Morning Diet
It is better to consume fruits along with breakfast, but as you are diabetic avoid Mangoes, dates, banana, grapes, cherries, pineapple, figs, watermelon as this have more glyecemic index
You can consume apple, guava, pomegranate, kiwi, pears in moderate quantity
In Ayurvedic tradition, the timing and manner of consuming fruits is of paramount importance to ensure balanced doshas and overall well-being. When adhering to a 2-meal plan, especially one that is based on ayurvedic principles, it’s important to understand when and how fruit should be consumed.
First thing, fruits are best consumed on an empty stomach, as they are rapidly digested and don’t interfere with the assimilation of main meals. So, integrating them into your plan, you might consider having fruits around 30 minutes to an hour before your main meals. This allows the natural sugars and nutrients in the fruits to be absorbed quickly without hindering digestion.
It’s worth noting that fruits should ideally be eaten in the morning—before your 10 am meal. This aligns with the natural increase in agni (digestive fire) after waking up, and helps in cleansing and energizing the body before other foods are introduced. If you’re having fruits later in the day, ensure that there is a sufficient gap before your 4pm meal to ensure proper digestion.
Fruits shouldn’t be considered as an additional meal but rather an essential part of your diet. They provide key vitamins, minerals, and fibers. In Ayurveda, it’s also important to be mindful of the types of fruits according to one’s dosha balance. For example, Vata types may prefer sweeter, moist fruits like ripe bananas or mangoes, while Pitta types might opt for sweeter and cooling fruits like melons or apples. Similarly, Kapha types should go for dry or astringent fruits like pomegranates or apples.
Make sure to avoid combining fruits with other food groups, especially dairy, which can lead to indigestion and toxins (ama) buildup in the body. Try to consume organic, seasonal fruits for maximum health benefits.
Finally, always listen to your body’s signals. If you experience discomfort or an imbalance, you might need to adjust the timing or quantity of fruit intake to suit your unique constitution. If you have any specific health concerns, consulting with an ayurvedic practitioner would provide tailored guidance for your individual prakriti.

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