Here is the concept of a healthy balanced diet in Ayurveda with Ayurveda eating rules and Ayurvedic food list based on 3 Ayurvedic 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.
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.
Also Read: Eat According to Ayurveda – Ayurvedic Diet for Vata Pitta and Kapha Dosha
Foods to Avoid
Here are some of the foods you should limit or avoid based on Ayurvedic Dosha.
Pitta Dosha
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.
- Proteins: red meat, egg (yolk) and seafood
- Dairy: cheese and buttermilk
- Fruits: sour or unripe fruits
- Vegetables: chili peppers, beets, tomatoes, onions, eggplant
- Grains: brown rice, millet, corn
- Nuts and seeds: almonds, walnuts, sesame seeds, cashews, peanuts, pistachios
Vata Dosha
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.
- Proteins: All kinds of red meat
- Fruits: dried, unripe fruits
- Vegetables: any raw vegetables
- Legumes: black beans and kidney beans
- Grains: barley, wheat, corn, quinoa, millet
- Herbs and spices: bitter or astringent herbs and spices
Kapha Dosha
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.
- Proteins: red meat, prawns and shrimps
- Fruits: mangoes, figs, bananas, coconuts
- Vegetables: sweet potatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes,
- Legumes: soybeans, kidney beans
- Grains: rice, wheat, and all kinds of cooked cereal
- Nuts and seeds: cashews, pine nuts, sesame seeds, walnuts
Make sure to eat three regular meals and at the same time each day. Eating late in the night is not advised. Also, eat your last meal at least three hours before bed.