Ayurvedic Diet for Vata, Pitta and Kapha Dosha. Here is how to balance Ayurvedic Dosha using Ayurveda eating rules. This post will explain “how to balance Vata Pitta and Kapha Dosha.”
Food in Ayurveda
Food or Ahaara in Ayurveda is one of the ten factors (dasa vidha pariksa) which are used to determine the state of health of an individual. And the food alone is classified by the 5 “Elements”, the 3 “Doshas”, the 6 “Tastes”, and the 3 “Gunas.”
The “Three Gunas” (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas) are the qualities of the food (and all the material things on the earth) which affect the human mind and the human body.
The Three Gunas are:
- Sattva
- Rajas
- Tamas
It must be noted that in Ayurveda, Sattvic food is the base, Rajasic food is the desire and Tamasic food is the one to be reduced or avoided as far as possible. Also, Sattva (goodness, constructive, harmonious) leads to the contented state, Rajas (passion, active, confused) induces an excited state and Tamas (darkness, destructive, chaotic) is responsible for lethargic state of mind.
It is worthy to note that the preparation of food also determines the Guna of the food. For example, the use of fresh Vegetables is Sattvic and it becomes Rajasic by adding excess spices and chiles or over-cooking. Just like this a food becomes Tamasic if it is cooked in advance or stored for too long.
The six tastes of the food is said to affect the doshas in Ayurveda. Foods either increase or decrease specific Ayurvedic Doshas. For example, sweet, sour, and salty foods pacify Vata Dosha, pungent, and bitter foods pacify Pitta Dosha and bitter, and astringent foods pacify Kapha Dosha.
Favorable Foods for Vata Dosha
Vata Dosha is balanced by eating freshly cooked whole foods which are rich in protein and fat. It is important to note that food should be evenly seasoned with spices, and always served hot. Warm food calms Vata Dosha by nourishing the cellular structure which maintains the body moisture and warmth.
Vata Dosha imbalance can be pacified by consuming foods with generous amounts of oil content. One should consume excess ghee or the foods which have plenty of fluids inside. Vata Dosha is pacified by sour, sweet and salty flavors. Such people should always consume their food warm because Vata is of cold and dry nature. They should add butter or ghee.
People suffering from Vata Dosha should avoid cold foods and iced drinks. They should try not to consume raw Vegetables and greens and caffeine beverages.
Vata Food Guidelines
- Vegetables: Asparagus, beets, carrots, cucumber, garlic, green Beans, onions, sweet potatoes, radishes, turnips, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, eggplant, leafy green Vegetables, mushrooms, peas, peppers, potatoes, sprouts, tomatoes, zucchini.
- Fruits: Bananas, apricots, avocados, berries, cherries, coconut, fresh figs, grapefruit, lemons, grapes, mangoes, sweet melons, sour oranges, papaya, pineapple, peaches, plums, stewed Fruits.
- Grains: Oats, cooked rice, wheat, barley and millet.
- Dairy: All kinds.
- Meat: Chicken and seafood.
- Beans: Chickpeas, mung Beans, and Tofu.
- Oil: Sesame oil, ghee and olive oil..
- Sweeteners: All kinds.
- Nuts: All kinds.
- Spices: Minimize or avoid all herbs and spices. Saffron and turmeric may be consumed in moderation.
Favorable Foods for Pitta Dosha
Pitta Dosha is balanced by fresh, whole foods which are cool or warm (both cooked and raw). Food which is cooling in nature and is comparatively high in carbohydrates calm Pitta Dosha by decreasing internal heat and balancing the digestive fire of the human body. Such food balances Pitta Dosha by absorbing excess liquid content and oil from the body.
In general, one must know that Pitta Dosha is oily hot and liquid related, so eating foods which lessens such effects can help to balance Pitta Dosha. Another most important factor is breakfast should not be skipped when someone experiences Pitta Dosha.
The best foods for Pittas are cool or warm or those having bitter, sweet, and astringent taste & flavors. Fresh vegetarian foods are the best for Pitta Dosha. Such people should consume more amounts of milk, ghee and fresh fruit juices.
It must be noted that people suffering from Pitta Dosha should avoid butter, fat, pickles, sour food, hard cheese, vinegar and fermented foods. In general, they must avoid oily, hot, salty, and spicy foods and drinks.
Pitta Food Guidelines
- Vegetables: Sweet and bitter vegetables, like asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, radishes, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, green Beans, peppers, leafy green Vegetables, lettuce, mushrooms, okra, parsley, peas, potatoes, sprouts, squash, sweet potatoes, zucchini, carrot, and spinach.
- Fruits: Bananas, avocados, cherries, coconuts, figs, mangoes, melons, oranges, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, and raisins.
- Grains: Barley, oats, wheat, and white rice.
- Dairy: Butter, egg whites, ghee or clarified butter, milk, and fruit sorbets.
- Meat: Chicken, shrimp, turkey, and fresh river fish.
- Beans: Chickpeas, mung Beans, red lentils, tofu and soybean.
- Oil: Olive, soy, sunflower, and grapeseed oil.
- Nuts: Coconut, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds.
- Sweeteners: All kinds. Except honey and molasses.
- Spices: Cardamom, cilantro, cinnamon, coriander seed, dill, fennel, mint, saffron, turmeric, cumin, and black pepper (in small quantities).
Favorable Foods for Kapha Dosha
Kapha Dosha is balanced by consuming light, dry, warm foods with minimal (or avoid completely) use of ghee, butter, fat and oil. Sweet, sour, and salty foods which are served warm is best to pacify Vata Dosha. Hot, spicy foods should be avoided for Vata Dosha.
Cooked light meals which are served warm is best. Too much of sweet and fatty foods should be avoided and salt consumption should be minimized at all cost. Junk food or deep-fried foods should also be avoided.
Kapha Food Guidelines
- Vegetables: Asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, eggplant, garlic, leafy green Vegetables, lettuce, mushrooms, okra, onions, peas peppers, potatoes, radishes, spinach, sprouts, sweet potatoes and tomatoes.
- Fruits: Apples, apricots, berries, cherries, cranberries, papaya, pears, prunes, pomegranates, and grapefruit. Dried Fruits in general are good for Kaphas, specifically apricots, figs, prunes, and raisins.
- Grains: Barley, buckwheat, corn, millet, oats, rye, and basmati rice. Can also consume rice and wheat (in moderate level).
- Dairy: Milk – goat’s milk, soy milk, and camel milk.
- Meat: Chicken, and fish.
- Beans: All legumes are acceptable.
- Oil: Almond, sunflower, olive oil, and grapeseed oil.
- Sweeteners: All kinds, but in small quantities.
- Nuts: Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and flax seeds.
- Spices: Cumin, fenugreek, sesame, and ginger.