Norms of eating food - The "one-third" rule and other matters...

"Fill the first third of your stomach with solid food, the second third with liquid, and leave the last third free.."

 - Charaka's 1/3rd rule on the "norms of eating food" from his Charaka Samhitha

Apart from the 1/3rd rule, there are certain factors according to Charaka that determine the "appropriateness" or "inappropriateness" of food - mind you, all these factors are postprandial and therefore you will arrive at the right combination of factors that suit you only, after trial and error (and perhaps some suffering - which may actually help to make your will stronger).
After a meal:

1. There should be no feeling of:
• heaviness in the belly
• pain or obstruction in the chest region
• difficulty in breathing
2. All normal activities such as walking, talking, standing, sitting, lying down, laughing etc. are effortless.
3. The senses are satisfied and there is no feeling of lingering hunger or thirst

In addition to the above, Charaka also gives a few general dietetic rules:

1. Food we eat should be warm as it aids digestion
2. Sit down to eat only after the previous meal has been completely digested and there is a genuine feeling of hunger
3. Eat adequately - neither too much nor too less - The 1/3rd rule is a good dietetic rule to follow.
4. Sit down at an agreeable place and focus only on the food in your plate - Do not talk or laugh while you are eating your food (perhaps we need to add - "Do not watch television")
5. Neither should you wolf down your food in large gulps, not should you eat so slowly that the food becomes cold and loses its beneficial properties
6. Subject every morsel of food and "food-type" to the scrutiny of past experience - does it suit me? have I had problems with a particular food or combination of foods in the past?
7. Food you eat should be as "smooth as oil" so that it passes through the digestive system easily and can:
• stimulate the digestive fire
• smoothen the passage of food and prevent constipation
• Strengthen the body
• Rejuvenate the sense organs
8. Finally, one should not eat foods and food-components that are "antagonistic" in nature (Charaka gives a detailed chart of antagonistic food items, that is beyond the scope of this article but suffice to say that your personal experience is your best judge).

"Tell me what you eat, I’ll tell you who you are." - Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

Charaka's take on obesity

Charaka's (Caraka) treatise the "Charaka Samhita" is a veritable treasure trove of information - some practical, some scientific, some religious, and some that is downright funny but overall it is a fantastic compilation of the ancient wisdom of traditional medicine called ayurveda. It is important to remember that his Charaka Samhita was written/compiled sometime during the Mauryan era (2nd or 3rd century BC) and is probably at least 3000 years old - The fact that this text is still relevant, and is still considered an authoritative textbook of ayurveda is testimony to the greatness of Charaka and his magnum opus the Charaka Samhita. This article looks briefly at Charaka's take on obesity and the key points that are relevant even today. The text in brackets are my addtions:

The obese face 8 major problems:

1. Shortened life-span
2. Difficulty in movement 
3. Difficulty during sexual intercourse
4. Fatigue/Constant tiredness (leading to reduced productivity)
5. Excessive sweating
6. Body odor
7. Ravenous and uncontrollable hunger (A symptom of diabetes)
8. Severe thirst  (A symptom of diabetes)

The obese accumulate fat preferentially in the region of the buttocks, hips, belly, and breasts/chest. According to Charaka, obesity is a "continuous illness" that drains the very life processes and energy of an individual. The primary aim of obesity treatment is to restore the balance between muscle and fat tissue in the body (We now know that muscle burns more calories than any other tissue).
Charaka recommends an austere and strict diet in combination with exercise (not very different from what is recommended by experts today) and certain herbs. A few important herbs (I have included only those that are commonly available and those that most of us can relate to easily) that Charaka recommends include: Guduchi (Giloi), Amla (Indian gooseberry), shunti (ginger), powdered barley, and honey.
Charaka also recommends increasing physical and mental activity, lengthening the waking hours, frequent oil massage, and rounding-off every meal with honey and water. For all those who enjoy their afternoon siesta, Charaka serves a strict warning - "Sleep during the day-time is prohibited as it "favors" obesity!"