As the body and the life within are sustained by food, Indian culture places food next to God. Bhagwat Geeta says “Annam bramha” i.e. food is the highest form of energy. Pregnancy is the most important phase where one needs to be mindful and conscious about food choices, cooking style, and eating patterns. 

1. Purity of vessel (Patra shuddhi)

a. Cook food in clean and pure vessels. Owing to the current Covid situations, cleaned vessels are taken care of by every household. 

b. Do not use non-stick pans, especially in pregnancy. Iron vessels are the best as food reacts with the metal surface and iron is released which makes your food rich in iron. In pregnancy HB levels need to be maintained and using iron vessels is the best way to do so. Please note that one should not cook acidic or sour food like rasam, kadi, sambhar, or tomato-based curries in iron vessels.

c. We have seen our grandmothers cleaning the chulhas with cow dung, worshipping it by applying kumkuma or vibhuti, offering flowers, chanting mantras before starting the cooking. It may look superstitious, but that is how the cleanliness of the kitchen was maintained. 

2. Purity of process of cooking (paaka shuddhi)

a. The person that cooks should not be only physically clean but also in her/his habits, conduct, and character. 

b. One should prepare the food with good thoughts and in a clean place. 

c. Food prepared with love and affection sends the positive vibes in that food and makes it a saatvik aahara that will nourish you and your baby not only physically but also spiritually. 

d. It’s always advisable to cook food with your own hands for yourself and your baby. If you are not in the condition of cooking due to fatigue, nausea, vomiting, or irritation with the smell of cooking then you can take help or ask someone in your family to cook food for you, try to avoid maids.

e. Food should be well cooked and not undercooked. 

3. Purity of ingredients (padarth shuddhi)

a. Ingredients used for cooking should be of good quality, pure and non-contaminated.

b. Do not use stuff like vegetables or fruits from the market immediately, soak them in clean water for at least 25-30 minutes, wash them under the running water, and then use.

c. Continue this practice post-pandemic too.

4. Take natural food (saatvik aahara) 

a. Saatvik aahara means natural food which is easily digested. It carries the quality of goodness, positivity, peacefulness, serenity, and balance. 

b. Ayurveda recommends taking vegetarian food during pregnancy as it contains a lot of water and hydration is very important these days. 

c. Fruits contain 80-90% of water, green leafy vegetables contain 50-70% of water, while meat contains only 20-25% of water giving rise to constipation and digestion issues.