Ayurveda Diet As Per Vata, Pitta, Kapha Body Type

14 Mar 2011- For a healthy living it is essential to have a proper balanced diet with essential carbohydrates, protein, minerals, fats, vitamins etc. According to Ayurveda, to remove toxic elements in the body, it is necessary for people to have a diet according to their primary body type. By eating foods according to our body type, the belief is that there is less accumulation of wastes or Ama in the body and also there balance of “Tridoshas” is restored which is very much required for maintaining good health. Depending on our dosha some foods can be beneficial, and some can be harmful. These same foods may have a different effect on another dosha. The concept of Ayurveda teaches that right diet is the foundation of healing and nourishment. The ideal diet is one that balances our doshas.

Vata Body Type

People with Vata body type have the following characteristics:

• • Quick mind
• • Flexibility
• • Creative
• • Always on the go – physically and mentally

Vata Dosha Foods

General: Vata pacifying foods include soft dairy products, ghee, wheat, rice, corn and bananas, hot cereal, soups whole cooked grains and chapatis. Excess vata can be counterbalanced with tissue-building and nutritive foods that are moist, heavy, warm, soft and oily, as well as foods with a sweet, sour and salty taste. Vata people benefit from meditation, soothing music, warmth, taking breaks, and resting.

Spices and herbs: Ginger and cloves, anise, cinnamon, garlic, cayenne, caraway, mint, horseradish, parsley, cooked onion, mustard seeds, rose water, paprika, tarragon, vanilla, thyme and rosemary

Vegetables : Asparagus, cucumber, green beans, beets, carrots, okra (bhindi), garlic, onions, radishes, sweet potatoes, turnips.

Fruits: Bananas, coconuts, dates, mangoes, melons, peaches, all sweet fruits in general.

Grains: Oats, rice and wheat

What should be avoided?

Foods with the vata qualities like frozen desserts, and large amounts of raw vegetables and salads, should be avoided. People with the vata body type should eat less of raw food, including salad. As salads have nutrients, they should not be eliminated completely and should be taken with a dressing made from oil and vinegar. Also, refined foods like white flour and sugar should be avoided as they have light and dry qualities. Pungent, bitter, astringents, dry, light, cold foods, stimulants like alcohol, smoking, junk food, sugar, tea , brown rice, vegetables like cabbage, celery, brinjal, cauliflower, leafy green vegetables, tomatoes, fruits like apples, pears, pomegranates should be avoided. According to Ayurveda, vatas can have almost all spices and herbs in moderation When there is aggravated Vata, coriander seeds, fenugreek seeds, saffron, turmeric, parsley the following are to be taken with caution. Avoid too much hot, dry spices such as dried chili, which will aggravate dryness.

Pitta Dosha Body Type

People with pitta dosha body type have the following characteristics:

• • Strong will
• • Determination
• • Initiative
• • Good digestion
• • Energy
• • Passionate about many things

Pitta Dosha Foods

General: You can balance excess pitta with foods that are dry, cool and heavy with a mild, naturally sweet, bitter or astringent taste. Milk, beans, rice, steamed vegetables and fruits are good for pitta people. Pitta body types generally like a lot of protein. The sweet items like maple syrup, brown rice syrup, barley malt, and honey are good.

Mild spices: Coriander, cumin, and cilantro

Vegetables & Fruits: can eat most vegetables and fruits.

Grains: Barley, oats, wheat, parboiled rice.

What should be avoided?

Pungent and oily foods like curry, fried foods and spicy condiments should be avoided by people with pitta constitutions. Spices such as cayenne, garlic and dry ginger should completely be avoided. Stimulants like alcohol, smoking, coffee, vinegar, fried foods, pickles, spicy foods, fermented foods, almond, curds, corn, til, mustard oil are not good for pitta people. Beets, brinjals, carrots, garlic, hot peppers, onions, spinach, tomatoes need to avoided. Fruits that are to be avoided are like sour and unripe fruits, including grapefruit, papayas, peaches, bananas, apricots. Grains like brown rice, corn, millet, rye should not be taken.

Kapha Dosa Body Type

People with kapha body type have the following characteristics:

• • Stamina
• • Strength
• • Groundedness
• • Endurance
• • Calm
• • Fluid

Kapha Dosha Foods

General: Kapha should have light and low fat protein food. To balance kapha dominance, smaller amounts of food should be taken and food should be light, dry, hot and with pungent, bitter or astringent tastes. Warm light food, dry food cooked without much water, less of butter, oil and sugar is preferred.Beans are great for kapha as it help move kapha's energy, and digestive system, a bit. Barley is also good. In terms of meat, chicken and turkey suit kapha body type. Dairy roducts do not suit kapha as they are heavy and cooling. Light and crispy food, like corn tortillas and popcorn are good. Asian and Latin American style meals are great for kapha people. They are light and spicy, free of dairy, and have plenty of vegetables in them.

Vegetables : Generally all vegetables are good.

Fruits : Apples, apricots, pears, pomegranates, dried fruits in general (apricots, figs, prunes, raisins).

Spices : All are good. Chillies are excellent for removing mucous, ginger is best for improving digestion, turmeric is excellent for drying out the mucous.

What should be avoided?

Kapha body types are not suited to a high protein diet like the Atkins diet. Fat and excess heavy protein should be avoided. Dairy products, avocados, wheat, and oils will increase kapha in the body. Desserts, sweets, deep fried foods, ice cream must be avoided. All sweet juicy vegetables like pumpkin family, cucumbers, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, tori, ghiya etc. All sweet juicy fruits should not be taken. Tofu and kidney beans, excess salt are bad.