10 Dietary Rules by Avicenna, the Father of Modern Medicine
The great physician and philosopher Avicenna (Ibn Sina, 10th–11th century), author of the famous medical work “The Canon of Medicine”, paid great attention to nutrition as the foundation of health. He believed that food is medicine when chosen correctly. Even though he lived a thousand years ago, many of his ideas are still highly relevant today.
Here are 10 nutrition rules by Avicenna, based on his writings and medical teachings:
1.
Eat only when you feel true hunger
Don’t eat out of habit or “by the clock.” Eat only when you genuinely feel hungry — it’s a sign your body is ready for food.
2.
Don’t eat if you’re not hungry after the previous meal
Each meal should be taken only after the previous one has been fully digested. Overlapping meals can lead to illness.
3.
Avoid overeating
“Better to eat too little than too much.” Overeating burdens the body and weakens digestion.
4.
Choose fresh, natural food
The closer the food is to its natural state, the better. Avoid spoiled or overly processed foods.
5.
Be moderate in quantity and variety
Don’t mix too many different foods in one meal — it disrupts digestion.
6.
Drink water before or after meals, not during
Avicenna warned that drinking water during meals dilutes digestive fire, weakens stomach acids, and hinders digestion.
7.
Avoid activity right after eating
After eating, avoid sleeping, bathing, or heavy physical work. It’s best to walk gently for a while.
8.
Listen to your body and sensations
Pay attention to how your body reacts — if a certain food makes you feel heavy, sleepy, or unwell, it’s not right for you.
9.
Eat in a calm and positive state
Eating while angry, fearful, or anxious disrupts digestion. Meals should be taken in peace, gratitude, and without haste.
10.
Stick to a consistent eating rhythm
Regular meal times are important. Avicenna recommended two meals a day — one in the morning and one in the evening — to give the body time to digest and renew.
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