The book deals with foods from the point of view of cultural practices in India. Each food is discussed from the point of its production, processing and utilization in India?s context. Foods of special importance in the Indian diet like pulses, spices and nuts are considered at length. The book gives a comprehensive account of foods and their products with regard to pulses, milk and Indian confectionery have been discussed. Various laws issued by the government to control food quality are highlighted. Food is more than nutrients. In addition to nourishing our body and promoting good health, foods have an effect on our mind, emotion and spiritual life. There is of late, a great awareness in the relationship of food and spiritual life. In the second edition a new chapter on Nutrition, Health and Food Consciousness was included. In addition to it, this edition deals with body, mind, emotion and its relation to spiritual health. Health as a constant growth of spirit is a progressive unfoldment, a growth which is teleotic (or Teleosis) and the limitation of the present concept backed up with scientific study in connection with the same, has been cited, thus bridging the gap between pure science and spiritual life.