Heaty and cooling foods in relation to food habits in a Southern Sri Lanka community

Abstract

According to Ayurveda, the traditional medical system observed in Sri Lanka, adherence to the principles of the hot‐cold system of food classification is important in both prevention and cure of disease. This report discusses the impact of the hot‐cold system on food behaviour in a rural community in southern Sri Lanka. In this community the hot‐cold system did not appear to have a large impact on food behaviour of healthy adults. However, during certain critical periods of life such as early childhood, pregnancy, lactation and times of disease, special considerations related to the hot‐cold system were observed. These considerations and their possible nutritional significance are discussed.