The Basics of the Ayurvedic Diet

Ayurveda is based on the concept that disease comes from an imbalance in specific energy types, known as doshas. If you doshas are unbalanced, illness, cognitive and emotional issues may occur. As explained, there are three types of doshas and they are all present in everyone. However at least one is usually more dominant than the others.

1. Vata – energy that controls autonomic bodily functions associated with movement i.e.: breathing, blinking and circulation. Balanced Vata leads to creativity and vitality. An unbalanced Vata often results in anxiety and worry.

2. Pitta – energy that controls metabolic functions like digestion, absorption and body temperature. Balanced Pitta causes contentment and intelligence. An unbalanced Pitta may trigger anger and ulcers.

3. Kapha – energy that controls growth. Balanced Kapha leads to love and forgiveness. Unbalanced Kapha may result in insecurity and envy.

Eating foods that support your dominant dosha helps keep your mind and body in balance. What you eat and drink doesn’t just impact your weight but your quality and quantity of sleep and overall health, also affecting brain function and emotional wellness.

Ayurveda explains there are six tastes and we should try to incorporate each taste in every meal.

1. Sweet: (decreases Vata and Pitta, increases Kapha)

grains, cereals, dates, rice, bread, dairy, meat, chicken, sugar, honey, molasses, pumpkin, maple syrup, liquorice root

2. Salty: (decreases Vata, increases Pitta and Kapha)

salt, soy sauce, salted meats, fish, tamari, black olives, Himalayan salt, sea vegetables

3. Sour: (decreases Vata, increases Pitta and Kapha)

citrus, berries, tomatoes, pickled and fermented foods, alcohol, tamarind

4. Pungent: (increases Vata and Pitta, decreases Kapha)

onions, garlic, cayenne, black pepper, ginger, cloves, mustard, salsa, chillies, hot peppers, hot spices

5. Bitter: (increases Vata, decreases Pitta and Kapha)

leafy vegetables, raw green and yellow vegetables, kale, celery, broccoli, sprouts, beets, turmeric, black and most herbal teas

6. Astringent: (increases Vata, decreases Pitta and Kapha)

lentils, dried beans, apples, pomegranates, cranberries, green beans, tea, cauliflower, alfalfa sprouts, okra

Each taste impacts your dosha and if a dosha is out of balance you should eat more or less of a specific taste.

If Vata is dominant and out of balance, you may find yourself skipping meals, experiencing weight loss and having digestive issues. To balance Vata you should:

a. eat foods that taste sweet, salty and sour

b. eat foods that re oily, heavy and warm

c. avoid cold and raw foods

d. include basil, cinnamon, citrus, frankincense, cloves, lavender, vanilla, sage and pine

If Pitta is dominant and out of balance, results may be ulcers, heartburn, high blood pressure and inflammation of the body. Your moods may become angry and easily irritable. To balance Pitta you should:

a. eat sweet, bitter and astringent tasting foods

b. avoid hot and spicy foods

c. add sandalwood, jasmine, mint, lavender, fennel, chamomile to your diet

If Kapha is dominant and out of balance, you may retain fluid, gain weight and suffer from allergies. Emotionally you become stubborn, resistant to change and hold on to unhealthy behaviours and relationships. To balance Kapha:

a. eat foods that taste pungent, bitter and astringent

b. avoid heavy foods, salt and dairy

c. add stimulating herbs as cloves, cinnamon, marjoram, juniper

Overall, an Ayurvedic diet is not about deprivation or avoiding foods, rather; it’s based on eating foods that keep your dominant dosha in balance for optimal physical and mental health. You cannot go wrong with eating gut-healthy wholesome fresh foods in season like fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes which are rich in many essential nutrients.

Listen to your body and take note on how you feel before and after a meal. Your body will always tell you the truth whether it approves or not. Most importantly, enjoy your food including the odd treat and be mindful of why and how we eat. Some easy tips below:

a. select foods for your dosha

b. eliminate snacks

c. eat until satisfied, not full

d. consume whole fresh foods

e. include all six tastes at every meal

f. reduce cold beverages and food

g. eliminate distractions while eating

h. stop eating 3 hours before bedtime

i. herbal teas between meals

j. if possible, eat your largest meal at lunchtime