Ayurveda, an ancient holistic science of healing, offers a logical and scientific approach to determining the correct diet based on an individual’s constitution.
Vata, Pitta, and Kapha-the tri-dosha, are the elements that comprise individual constitutions. This approach is quite different from the ‘traditional’ view of a balanced diet, viz., eating daily from the basic food groups; According to Ayurveda, every food has its own taste (Rasa), a heating or cooling energy (Virya) and a post-digestive effect (Vipak).
In Ayurveda, one should eat according to one’s constitution and take fruits, starches, proteins, and fats separately at different times of the day. Combining foods improperly can produce indigestion, fermentation, putrefaction, and gas formation. This condition, if prolonged, can lead to toxemia and disease complex.
A Vata pacifying diet favors warm, cooked foods and hot beverages. Soft and oily foods, such as pasta, cooked cereals, and soups should be favored over dry and crunchy foods. Raw vegetables should be avoided, except in small amounts. Avoid cold drinks and frozen desserts such as ice cream, popsicles, frozen yogurt, etc.
Vatas are the pickiest eaters of the three mind-body types. This is probably because their digestion is very delicate. Vata governs the colon, and when out of balance, Vatas are prone to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Since Vata is composed of air and space, it is easy for Vatas to get gas. So, naturally, with all these things going on, Vatas need to watch what they eat.
The Vata appetite, like everything else about this dosha, is variable. Many of those tall, thin super-models (who say that they can eat everything in sight and not gain an ounce) are Vata types. They may gorge themselves at an all-you-can-eat pasta bar, or be content with a breadstick and soda water.
Ayurveda, an ancient holistic science of healing, offers a logical and scientific approach to determining the proper diet according to an individual’s constitution.
Vata, Pitta, and Kapha-the tri-dosha, are the building blocks of individual constitutions. This approach is quite different from the ‘traditional’ view of a balanced diet, viz., eating daily from the basic food groups; According to Ayurveda, every food has its own taste (Rasa), a heating or cooling energy (Virya) and a post-digestive effect (Vipak).
In Ayurveda, one should eat according to one’s constitution and take fruits, starches, proteins, and fats separately at different times of the day. Combining foods improperly can produce indigestion, fermentation, putrefaction, and gas formation. This condition, if prolonged, may lead to toxemia and a complex illness.
Food should be hot and cooked, as opposed to raw. Give preference to sweet, sour, and savory flavors.
Avoid eating cold, dry products such as chips or cookies. Try adding a hot dip as an accompaniment to these foods.
Avoid caffeine. Caffeine makes Vata worse and causes an imbalance. Caffeine is especially aggravating in Vata, so instead of regular coffee, serve some herbal tea or decaffeinated coffee. Coffee substitutes are often superior to coffee due to their acid content, which can disrupt Vata digestion.
A Vata breakfast could be rolled oats, instead of cold cereals, sweetened with a little brown sugar and soy milk. Many Vatas are lactose intolerants, so soya milk is a good alternative.
Because Vatas have such a dilemma with their food, and because they are creative people, many Vatas enjoy cooking their own meals. The only problem is that sometimes they are going to try their way through the recipe so that they are not hungry once the meal is prepared!
FAVOUR (IN SMALL QUANTITY)
All ripe sweet fruits, Prunes, Apple, Pear, sweet grapes, Banana, plums, prunes. apricot, mango, papaya, pomegranate, sweet pineapples, raisins, prunes, sweet oranges, dates, figs, and avocado Dried fruit is better boiled or soaked in water prior to eating
Plums, cherries, kiwi, peach, grapefruit, only if sweet and juicy
And remember, fruits and fruit juices are best enjoyed alone – 30 minutes before, and ideally at least 1 hour after, any other food
AVOID: All citrus Fruits, Berries Apricots, Oranges, rhubarbs, and Lemons.
FAVOUR (IN SMALL QUANTITY)
Artichoke, Asparagus. Beet, Bell Pepper, Bitter Melon, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chilies, Cilantro, Greens leafy vegetables Daikon Radish, Eggplant, Garlic, Green Beans, Horseradish, Okra, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Radishes, Spinach, Sprouts. Squash, Winter, Tomatoes (cooked), Watercress, Wheat Grass
All should be cooked well so they are soft. Cooked vegetables are generally easier to digest than raw ones, so it’s best to have raw veggies, salads, vegetables in small quantities and at mid-day.
AVOID
Artichokes, beet greens, bitter melon broccoli Carrots, Garlic Chilies, raw Tomatoes, Beet roots, Eggplant, Kale, Leafy Greens, Leeks, Lettuce, Mustard Greens, Cabbage, Cauliflower Peas, corn kale spinach, turnip sprout.
FAVOUR (IN SMALL QUANTITY)
AVOID
FAVOUR (IN SMALL QUANTITY)
Well cooked with ghee or oil and Asafetida
Mung beans, Soya beans
should generally be well-cooked and well-spiced to make them more digestible. Legumes are generally astringent
AVOID
Adzuki Beans, Black Beans, Black-Eyed Peas
(Chickpeas), Kidney beans, Lentils Lima Beans
Navy Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Soy Milk, Soy Meats, Tempeh, Tofu (served hot)
Tur Dal, Urad daal, White Beans
FAVOUR (IN SMALL QUANTITY)
Beef, Chicken (dark), Duck, Fish (saltwater), Lamb, Pork, Salmon, Sardines, Seafood, Tuna Fish, Turkey (dark)
Eating less meat all around is generally beneficial
AVOID
Chicken (white), Eggs, Fish (freshwater) Rabbit, Venison, Turkey
FAVOUR (IN SMALL QUANTITY)
Butter, buttermilk, cream, chesse, Cittage chesse, Ghee, Milk, paneer, Sour cream
Most Dairy is good for Vata
AVOID
Hard Chesse, Frozen yogurt, Ice cream
FAVOUR (IN SMALL QUANTITY)
Allspice, Ajwan, Anise,Basil, Bay Leaf, Black Pepper, Caraway, Cardamom, Cayenne, Cinnamon, Cloves, Coriander, Cumin, Dill, Fennel, Fenugreek, Garlic, Ginger, Hing (Asafetida), Mint, Mustard seed, Nutmeg, Oregano, paprika, parsley, Peppermint, Poppy seeds, Pippali, Rosemary, Saffron, Thyme, Trikatu, Turmeric
Most spices are wonderful for so feel free to experiment with a wide variety of new and exotic spices
AVOID
FAVOUR (IN SMALL QUANTITY)
Almonds (soaked and peeled), Charole Nuts, Chia Seeds, Flax Seeds, Popcorn (without salt or butter), Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds
Nuts and seeds tend to be heavy, dense, and oily
AVOID
Cashew nuts, peanuts, pine nuts
FAVOUR (IN SMALL QUANTITY)
Butter, Ghee, olive, Sunflower
Oils are good to pacify Vata
AVOID
FAVOUR (IN SMALL QUANTITY)
Warm deserts are good
AVOID
Mostly all sweeteners Pacify Vata
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