Gandhiji - Health Habits

In 1917, when he was bed-ridden, doctors compelled him to take milk. He, however, did not want to break his vow of not consuming cow's milk. Thus began his now-famous goat-milk diet

Gandhi emphasized wheat and rice in a diet, with cereals holding the second place. He felt that cereals should be taken relatively dry for mastication and proper digestion. This was followed by fruits and vegetables. He stressed that fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables should be eaten raw.

For Gandhi, the welfare of people living in the villages was the first priority. So, he worked with many nutritionists to derive a diet-chart that gave maximum nutrition at minimum cost. Even Gandhi's concept of fasting, which revolutionized non-violent resistance, had its health benefits.

While talking about the moral basis of vegetarianism, Gandhi wrote: "Man was not born a carnivorous animal, but born to live on fruits and herbs that the Earth grows."