International Journal of Health Sciences & Research (www.ijhsr.org) 448 Vol.9; Issue: 8; August 2019 International Journal of Health Sciences and Research www.ijhsr.org ISSN: 2249-9571 Review Article Balanced Diet in Ayurveda for Ideal Health in Present Era Dr. Panchanana Kisan 1 , Dr. S. S. Yadav 2 1 JR2, Department of Samhita & Sanskrit, Faculty of Ayurveda, IMS, BHU, Varanasi (UP), India. 2 Assistant Professor, Department of Samhita & Sanskrit, Faculty of Ayurveda, IMS, BHU, Varanasi (UP), India. Corresponding Author: Dr. Panchanana Kisan ABSTRACT Ahara is considered as Mahabheshaja. Food is vital breath or sustainer of life, thus all the living being of universe rush towards food; Complexion, perspicuity, good voice, longevity, brilliancy, happiness, satisfaction, nourishment, strength, energy and intellect all are depend upon food. The worldly activities done to earn livelihood, Vedic recitations etc. done for attainment of heaven and those done for final beatitude or emancipation all depend upon food. In Upanishad, food is considered as Brahma. Food is a substance consumed other than water and drugs for maintenance of health, well being and vitality of the individual. Present paper highlights the importance of balanced diet in the form of Nitya Sheelaniya Dravya and critical analysis on the importance of it in present era. Key words: Nitya Sheelaniya Dravya, Balanced diet, Malnutrition, Non-communicable diseases. INTRODUCTION Food is one among the three sub pillars - Ahara, Nidra and Brahmacharya, which support the body itself. Here Ahara, has been enumerated first, which shows its importance. [1,2] World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April every year, WHO highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with food safety under the slogan “From farm to plate, make food safe”. Promotion of proper nutrition is one of the eight elements of the primary health care. [3] Ayurveda is not only a medical science but also a complete science of life, which deals with health promotion, prevention and management of disease. Daily consumptions of Hita, Avirudha, Satmya and Nitya Sheelaniya Ahara makes the person disease free condition, so one should plan diet according to the Asta Ahara Vidhi Visesaayatana. Acharya Charaka and Vagbhata explained the Nitya sevaniya Dravyas which is similar to the balance diet. To bring global attention towards Ayurvedic system of medicine in concern to nutritional programmed in our system, a great interest has to be focused on the role of dietary factors in the promotion of health. According to Ayurveda Acharyas, most of the disease occurs from malfunctioning Agni loosely translated as individual digestive capacity. It is not enough to eat proper food but is more important to digest what one has eaten. The chronic indigestion lies at the root of most of the disease. The properly digested food yields the nutrient fluid Ahara Rasa that is capable of nourishing the body constituents and thus ensures continuation of life process. When the digestion is not complete or improper the result is a highly contamination and toxic metabolite called Ama. Since it is produced in place of Ahara Rasa it has access to all the body constituents and thus it results in malnourishment. Depending upon the length