When choosing food, it's important to consider one's own constitution (Prakriti) and preferences. Eating Based on Likes and Dislikes (Samikshya Samyag Aatmana) extremely important when it comes to good health! Consuming healthy and enjoyable foods improves mental health and promotes mindful eating habits. It aids in decision-making about what to eat, what not to eat, and how much to consume.
According to Ayurveda, one of the most important factors in health is proper digestion. When your digestive fire (agni) is strong, you have an abundance of ojas (life essence) in your mind and body. In contrast, poor digestion causes ama (toxins) to be deposited in the digestive tract.
Diet According to Ayurveda
When ama accumulates over time, it can cause a variety of mental and physical symptoms, including acid reflux, constipation, and/or diarrhoea, as well as skin problems, allergies, brain fog, weakened immunity, and a wide range of other issues.
One of the basic principles of Ayurveda is that no two people are the same, and thus no two people's dietary requirements are the same. As a result, there is no Ideal Ayurvedic diet. In Ayurveda, the ideal diet is determined by an individual's constitution, also known as dosha type. The three doshas are VATA, PITTA, and KAPHA.
Food According to Ayurveda
Food digestion is determined by its natural properties. Food is classified into two categories based on its digestion effect:
- Foods that are easily digested (laghu).
- Foods that are difficult or slow to digest (guru)
According to the Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana, here are some examples of foods that are light and heavy.
Examples of light-to-digest foods:
Shali rice (Oryza sativum), shashtika rice (a type of Oryza sativum), mung bean (Vigna radiata)
Examples of heavy to digest foods:
Refined Flour, sugar-cane juice, milk, sesame (tila), and black gram (masha).
Fundamental Constitution and Properties of Suitable Food
Vata Dominant:
Pacifying Taste: Sweet (shatavari), Sour (lemon), Salty
Potency: Hot
Pitta Dominant:
Pacifying Taste: Sweet (shatavari), Bitter (cabbage), Astringent (aloe vera juice)
Potency: Cold
Kapha Dominant:
Pacifying Taste: Pungent (onions), Bitter (cabbage), Astringent (aloe vera juice)
Potency: Hot
Ayurvedic foods based on dosha
Vata Foods:
Foods to Eat:
- Fruits: Ripe fruits like bananas, apples, and papayas are recommended, along with sweet-tasting berries and cherries.
- Vegetables: Cooked vegetables such as spinach and carrots provide nourishment while supporting digestion.
- Grains: Brown rice and wheat are suitable grains for Vata individuals, offering sustenance without aggravating the dosha.
- Legumes: Moong beans are beneficial for Vata dosha, providing protein and fiber without causing imbalance.
Foods to Avoid:
- Bitter and Raw Vegetables: Vata individuals should steer clear of bitter and raw vegetables like broccoli and onions, as they may exacerbate Vata imbalances.
- Certain Grains: Couscous and granola are best avoided, as they can be too drying or aggravating for Vata dosha.
- Flavored Yogurt: Yogurt with added flavors should be avoided, as it may contain additives that disrupt Vata balance.
- Specific Spices: Coriander seed and fenugreek should be limited in Vata diet, as they may have drying or stimulating effects.
Pitta Foods:
Foods to Eat:
- Sweet Fruits: Pitta individuals benefit from sweet fruits like melons and grapes, which help cool and pacify the dosha.
- Sweet or Bitter Vegetables: Cucumber and mushrooms are recommended for Pitta dosha, providing nourishment without aggravating heat.
- Cooling Grains: Barley and rice are suitable grains for Pitta individuals, offering sustenance without exacerbating Pitta heat.
- Most Legumes: With the exception of lentils, Pitta individuals can enjoy a variety of legumes for protein and fiber.
Foods to Avoid:
- Sour Fruits: Pitta individuals should avoid sour fruits like citrus fruits (orange, lemons), as they may aggravate Pitta heat and acidity.
- Pungent Vegetables: Pitta individuals should limit pungent vegetables like radishes and mustard, as they may exacerbate Pitta heat.
- Dry Oats: Dry oats should be avoided by Pitta individuals, as they may be too heating or drying for the dosha.
- Certain Dairy Products: Salted butter and sour cream should be avoided, as they may contribute to Pitta aggravation.
Kapha Foods:
Foods to Eat:
- Drying Fruits: Kapha individuals benefit from drying fruits like cherries and peaches, which help balance Kapha heaviness.
- Spicy Vegetables: Spicy vegetables such as garlic and onions are recommended for Kapha dosha, providing warmth and stimulation.
- Moderate Grains: Barley and oats can be consumed in moderate quantities by Kapha individuals, offering sustenance without exacerbating Kapha imbalance.
- Most Legumes: Except for white beans and lentils, Kapha individuals can enjoy a variety of legumes for protein and fiber.
Foods to Avoid:
- White Sugar: Kapha individuals should avoid white sugar, as it may contribute to Kapha heaviness and sluggishness.
- Dairy Products: Yogurt and cheese should be limited by Kapha individuals, as they may exacerbate Kapha congestion and lethargy.
- Fatty Foods: All fatty foods (ghee, butter, cheese) should be avoided by Kapha individuals, as they may contribute to Kapha imbalance and weight gain.
Bad Food habits to avoid:
- Faulty dietary habits disrupt the process of digestion and metabolism, leading to the formation of ama, which consists of undigested food and toxins. This disruption can result in severe diseases affecting various body systems.
- Certain habits such as consuming wholesome and unwholesome foods together (samashana) should be avoided as they can lead to adverse health effects.
- Overeating or undereating, as well as consuming food at inappropriate times (vishamashana), are practices that should be avoided to maintain optimal health.
- It is crucial to ensure that each meal is consumed only after the complete digestion of the previous one and to refrain from eating during episodes of indigestion (ajirna) to prevent further complications (adhyashana).
In simple terms, Ayurveda teaches us to pick foods that suit our body and what we like to eat to stay healthy. By eating slowly and making sure our body feels good, we can avoid getting sick. Ayurveda also tells us which foods are good for us based on our body type—like VATA, PITTA, or KAPHA—and which ones we should avoid. Following these rules helps keep our gut happy and our body healthy.