How This Brand in Jhansi is Encouraging Ayurvedic Approach to Eating Food

Till recently, sattvik food did not had many takers in resorts and hotels. However, with a recent shift in demand, travellers are now more conscious and seek for healthy food when on a vacation. While the western concept of gluten free or vegan food still pertains in many retreats and hotels, travellers are inclined towards Ayurveda and its way of eating. These shift has been witnessed by many wellness retreats across India. 

As more people become interested in Ayurveda, hotels are starting to offer Ayurvedic food options to their guests. This can include dishes that are made with ingredients and spices believed to have health benefits, as well as meals that are designed to balance the body's doshas (or energy types) according to Ayurvedic principles. Some hotels also offer Ayurvedic treatments and consultations with Ayurvedic practitioners.

We spoke to Dr. Sreeragh Nair, general manager of Shatam Jeeva to understand the demand and how wellness retreats like Shatam Jeeva is advocating the ancient Indian way of healthy living. 

“If you're looking for a holistic approach to health, go no further than Ayurveda, one of the world's oldest medical systems. It has been relied on by families for centuries as a means of healing, and it continues to be so today. It has also enjoyed enormous success in the West due to its holistic approach to health, which considers nutrition, exercise, sleep, detox, lifestyle, and much more,” he started.

What sets Ayurveda apart from other therapeutic modalities is its emphasis on prevention and maintenance, with the goal of achieving a state of harmony between the physical body, the mind, and the soul that is unique to each individual. According to Ayurveda, food choices have a direct effect on whether or not this equilibrium is maintained. Each individual possesses the energies of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, according to Ayurveda. Movement is governed by Vata, digestion and metabolism by Pitta, and structure and strength is maintained by Kapha.

How do they prepare food?

“In all of us, one trait predominates over the others, while each of us possesses some of each. After learning about our individual biochemistry, we can adjust our diets to better harmonise with our internal energy. Food at Shatam Jeeva is prepared utilising traditional slow-cooking procedures to preserve all of the food's beneficial ingredients, a practise inspired by the Ayurvedic tradition,” he commented.

At Shatam Jeeva, major cereal like wheat is grown in the farm itself along with few vegetables. All food at the wellness retreat is crafted considering the Shadrasa (six taste). He further discussed that beyond calories, the team at Shatam Jeeva understand the state of Agni bal (digestive fire) and then customise the food.

“We encourage the guest to follow the basic concept of meal portion as in Ayurveda, wherein half of the appetite should be solid food, quarter to be dedicated for water and the rest of the quarter to be left free,” he commented.

As the most traditional rejuvenator in Ayurveda, ‘Ghee’ holds a strong position in Ayurvedic way of eating. “We use pure ghee from the farm itself for our guests. We do not rely on the methods of liquid only diets or starvation, we have a theory of eating normal and adjusting the optimal metabolism, so as to prolong the sustainability of our results,” he said.

In addition to seeking a healthy way of life, the next generation of travellers will have disposable income at their disposal. Health and fitness are not new topics of inquiry for these vacationers. They want yoga ashrams, Ayurveda vacations, alternative medicine, and, most crucially, an in-depth understanding of healthy eating. It's noteworthy to note that a growing number of vacationers are rejecting modern wellness centres in favour of more conventional ones. They take a comprehensive approach and show great promise.