Doshas and Your Diet: Eating for Your Ayurvedic Body Type

In a previous blog post we gave you an opportunity to find out what your dosha is. In this blog, you'll find out what the best diet is for you based on your particular dosha. 

Ayurveda is a science of healing and balancing based on a 2,000-year-old tradition. It's based on the concept that the same basic elements that create everything in nature, dynamically combine to control all processes within human anatomy, as well as physiology. These dynamic bio-energies are three: Vata, Pitta and Kapha (collectively known as the tri-doshas). 

Each human being is born with a unique combination of dosha, and this natural balance is what's responsible for the physical, mental and emotional differences between person to person. By identifying and maintaining individual balance, Ayurveda helps to create the state of ideal health. 

VATA-balancing diet

• Favourable tastes are sweet, sour and salty, avoid spicy, bitter and astringent tastes
• Stick to warm, freshly prepared food and avoid raw, unripe and cold food
• Go for cooked or steamed food, avoid dry meat and fish
• Sip hot beverages like herbal tea, green tea, ginger tea or simple warm water
• Avoid cold aerated drinks like cola and soda
• Enjoy spices in moderation (recommended spices are cumin, ginger, cardamom, asafetida)
  
  

PITTA-balancing diet

• Favourable tastes are sweet, bitter and astringent, avoid spicy, sour and salty
• Stick to cooling and refreshing food and avoid too hot, fermented and acidic food
• Go for predominantly vegetarian food, avoid oily, greasy and deep-fried food
• Sip cold beverages like milk, milkshakes, buttermilk, fruit juices
• Avoid alcohol, coffee and black tea
• Keep your spice intake low (recommended spices are cinnamon, fennel, saffron, turmeric)

KAPHA-balancing diet

• Favourable tastes are spicy, bitter and astringent, avoid sweet, sour and salty
• Stick to warm and freshly prepared food, avoid raw, unripe and cold food
• Go for gently cooked and predominantly vegetarian food, avoid oily, greasy and deep-fried food
• Sip hot beverages like herbal tea, green tea, ginger tea or simple warm water
• Avoid cold beverages and foods like milk, milkshakes, yoghurt and ice-cream
• Keep your spice intake moderate to high (recommended spices are ginger, garlic, black pepper, fenugreek)

Interested in learning more about Ayurveda and how it can transform your life? Browse our collection of dedicated Ayurveda Retreats in destinations like India and Sri Lanka.