Why 'healthy' meals don't always help

We often assess our health based on what we eat, not how we feel after we eat.

- AKSHI KHANDELWAL

A bowl of salad, a protein-rich meal, a detox drink, or even a 'light dinner' can look perfect on paperyet many people experience bloating, heaviness, acidity, sluggishness, or an unexpected dip in energy soon after. This growing mismatch between perceived healthy habits and the body's real post-meal response is what we call the after-meal health gap.

In urban India, this gap is widening, Long commutes, erratic eating windows, late dinners, and a constant pressure to 'eat clean' have created a paradox: people are trying harder than ever to be healthy, but their digestion is more compromised than ever.

Ayurveda has always emphasised what modern wellness is only now discovering-post-meal behaviour is as important as the meal itself.

According to Ayurveda, true health is measured not just by ingredients but by agnithe digestive fire that governs how well the body transforms food into energy. Even the most nutrient-dense meal can become toxic if eaten at the wrong time, in the wrong combination, or with a stressed mind.

This explains a common urban experience: "I eat healthy, but I don't feel healthy after eating."

Why the after-meal health gap exists

Several modern habits clash directly with the body's natural digestive rhythms:

1. Fast eating and distracted meals: