Volume III · Part IV · Chapter 41
Common Concerns After 55 — Food and Lifestyle Pointers
Lifestyle — Vihara
About 2 min read
These pointers bring together the diet and lifestyle advice in this book for complaints that older guests often mention. They complement medical care and never replace it.
| Concern | Food pointers | Lifestyle pointers | See a doctor if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weak digestion, bloating | Moong, khichdi, yusha; ginger–rock salt before lunch; hing and ajwain; no snacking | Regular times; walk after meals; warm water | Weight loss, pain, vomiting, blood in stool |
| Constipation | Warm water on waking; ghee; stewed fruit; soaked figs; dalia, bhindi, bathua; fluids | Morning routine; walking; abhyanga of abdomen (clockwise) | Sudden change, blood, pain |
| Acidity, reflux | Rice, milk, ghee, coconut, gourds, fennel; less chilli, sour, fried, tea | Small meals; dinner early; no lying down after meals; raise head of bed | Chest pain, difficulty swallowing, black stools |
| Joint stiffness | Warm, moist food; ghee and sesame; turmeric and ginger in cooking; avoid cold and dry food | Abhyanga; warm baths; chair yoga daily; keep joints warm | Red, hot, swollen joint; fever |
| Poor sleep | Light early dinner; golden milk with nutmeg | Routine; foot massage; no screens; bhramari | Snoring with pauses, depression |
| Low appetite, weight loss | Small frequent meals; ghee, milk, paneer, nuts, date milk; fortified milk | Gentle activity; company at meals | Unexplained weight loss — always |
| Memory and concentration | Ghee, milk, almonds, walnuts; regular meals | Routine, reading, satsang, japa, social connection | Rapid decline, confusion |
| Low mood, loneliness | Warm, sweet, nourishing food; no skipping meals | Satsang, seva, walks with others, sunlight | Persistent sadness, hopelessness — seek help early |
| Blood sugar | Millets, barley, moong; vegetables first; methi, karela; no sweets alone | Walk after meals; regular times | Follow medical plan |
| Blood pressure | ≤ 5 g salt; lauki, gourds, fruit; less pickle, papad | Walking; pranayama (gentle); sleep | Follow medical plan; sudden headache or weakness — emergency |
| Dry skin, itching | Ghee, sesame; fluids | Abhyanga; lukewarm (not hot) baths | Rash, wounds that do not heal |
| Frequent colds | Warm food; ginger, tulsi, turmeric, black pepper; amla daily in winter | Dry after bath; cover head in cold wind | Fever over 3 days, breathlessness |