Jain-inspired daily food routine that avoids sugar,

Here’s a simple, common, and balanced Jain-inspired daily food routine that avoids sugar, root vegetables, and adheres to the principles of Ahimsa. The focus is on plant-based, wholesome, non-harmful foods.

### **Morning:**

1. **Warm Water with Lemon** (on an empty stomach):  

   A glass of lukewarm water with a few drops of lemon to kickstart digestion and cleanse the body.

2. **Breakfast:**

   - **Fruit Salad**: A combination of fresh seasonal fruits like papaya, apple, banana, pomegranate, and berries. You can sweeten it with a little **jaggery** or **date syrup** if desired.

   - **Oats or Poha**: A savory option made with rolled oats or poha (flattened rice) with vegetables like peas, carrots (non-root), and mustard seeds for seasoning. You can add a bit of cumin and turmeric for extra flavor.

   - **Herbal Tea**: Herbal teas like ginger-lemon or mint tea, or you could also enjoy a glass of **fresh coconut water**.

### **Mid-Morning Snack:**

1. **Nuts and Seeds**:  

   A handful of almonds, cashews, walnuts, or sunflower seeds to keep your energy up.

2. **Fruit**:  

   A piece of fruit such as an apple, orange, or a few figs.

### **Lunch:**

1. **Chapati (Whole Wheat)**:  

   Soft whole wheat chapatis (without yeast) paired with a vegetable curry or lentil-based dish.

2. **Dal (Lentils)**:  

   A simple, light dal made from yellow or green moong beans, cooked with turmeric, cumin, coriander, and mild spices. 

3. **Vegetable Sabzi**:  

   A non-root vegetable curry (such as peas, carrots, beans, or zucchini), lightly spiced and sautéed with oil or ghee.

4. **Rice**:  

   Steamed basmati rice or a variety of **quinoa** for extra protein. 

5. **Salad**:  

   A light salad with ingredients like cucumber, tomato, lettuce, and sprouts with a dash of lemon or salt.

6. **Buttermilk or Curd**:  

   A small bowl of plain **yogurt** or **buttermilk** (without garlic) for digestion.

### **Afternoon Snack:**

1. **Vegetable Soup**:  

   A warm bowl of vegetable soup (without garlic or onions), made with vegetables like carrots, celery, beans, and tomatoes, seasoned with herbs and mild spices.

2. **Fruit Smoothie**:  

   A simple smoothie made with unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk, and fruits like banana or berries, with a touch of **jaggery** or **stevia** for sweetness.

### **Evening Snack:**

1. **Roasted Seeds or Makhana (Foxnuts)**:  

   A handful of roasted sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or makhana as a crunchy snack.

2. **Green Tea or Herbal Drink**:  

   A cup of **green tea** or a mild **herbal drink** to relax before dinner.

### **Dinner:**

1. **Chapati or Paratha**:  

   A light whole wheat chapati or a plain paratha made without any heavy fillings.

2. **Vegetable Curry**:  

   A simple curry using non-root vegetables like cauliflower, bell peppers, beans, and peas, cooked in olive oil or ghee.

3. **Khichdi**:  

   A light and easy-to-digest khichdi made with rice and moong dal, seasoned with turmeric and cumin. This is a calming, light dish that's easy on the stomach before bed.

4. **Salad**:  

   A fresh salad of cucumber, tomato, lettuce, and sprouts with a light dressing of lemon, salt, and pepper.

5. **A Small Glass of Warm Milk**:  

   A cup of warm **almond milk** or **cow's milk** before bed to help with relaxation and sleep.

### **Optional Sweet (Post-Dinner):**

1. **Sweetened with Jaggery**:  

   A small piece of **jaggery** or **date-based sweets** (like laddoos made with dates and nuts) for a natural sugar replacement.

### **General Notes:**

- **Water**: Drink water throughout the day. You could add a pinch of rock salt and cumin powder to water for added flavor and digestion benefits.

- **Avoid Onion and Garlic**: These are avoided in Jain cuisine because they are considered to cause harm to living organisms during harvest.

- **No Root Vegetables**: Avoid vegetables like potatoes, onions, carrots, garlic, and radishes because they are considered to cause harm to plants.

- **Mindful Eating**: The Jain approach emphasizes eating mindfully, consuming food with gratitude and respect for all life forms.

This routine emphasizes balance, nutrition, and respecting the principles of Jainism, making it both wholesome and ethical.