How To Eat For Your Dosha
Understanding the Doshas
Not all bodies are created equally. Some of us naturally have more energy, better digestion, or react differently to stress and imbalance. The aspect that many do not understand, however, is these factors and characteristics that make us who we are can be tied to the doshas, an ancient Ayurvedic concept that connects our mind, bodies, and spirits to different elements that represent and shapes qualities of our lives.
It is broken up into 3 categories. Vata, meaning “to move”, is represented by air and ether. Pitta, meaning “to burn”, is represented by fire and water. Kapha, meaning “to stick”, is represented by earth and water. Think of the doshas as different levels in the environment. Vata is high up in the sky, Pitta is in the trees, and Kapha is down near the earth. Although your dosha can have a lot to say about personality traits, such as how you deal with stress, energy levels, preferred environment, etc., it can also say a lot about your health and what you should eat to properly fuel your body type. We are going to break down common tendencies of each dosha that could possibly lead to digestion issues or other imbalances. It is important to know yourself and what works for you.
Top 10 Ayurvedic Diet Tips
Choose foods according to your dosha. This will nourish you without aggravating your dosha
Eat seasonally
Eat fresh and Sattvic foods (Ayurvedic term for foods that are fresh, juicy, light, nourishing, and tasty, and thus give necessary energy to the body and help achieve balance.)
Don’t eat unless you are hungry
Don’t drink if you are not thirsty
Don’t distract yourself while eating
Sit down while eating
Chew enough, it allows digestive enzymes in the mouth to do their work
Avoid overeating, as it causes toxins in the digestive tract. Don’t know how much to eat? The general rule is, the amount should fit in both hands cupped.
Take a moment to appreciate not only your meal, but also your body for its powerful gift. This will make you more in touch with the process of eating, and encourage you to make better choices.
Vata
When a Vata is balanced, they are often energetic, adaptable, and positive. They are naturally cool and dry, and therefore thrive in crisp, breezy environments. Their body type reflects their often-high metabolism, giving them a slender build with thin muscles. Since they are an air sign, Vatas crave and need food that brings them closer to the earth, giving them warmth and moisture. They should seek food that keeps them full and nourished, and grounds them through their day. Best taste qualities for Vata: sweet, salty, and sour.
Sweet Potato Toast
Sweet Potato Toast
Cut a sweet potato into slices, and cook in toaster oven until the inside is soft.
Ideas for Toppings
Mash an avocado with lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Top with sprouts.
Spread almond butter on toast. Top with banana slices and honey
Blend fresh basil with pine nuts, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, garlic, and pepper to make a pesto. Spread on toast
Pitta
Pitta’s are fire signs, and their personalities speak to that. When a Pitta is imbalanced, they can become impatient, even aggressive, and feel sick from stress or poor eating. Pittas are naturally in the middle, which makes them the easiest dosha to get off balance. A balanced Pitta will sustain good digestion and circulation, be warm and friendly, and have leveled perception. Pittas should eat food that grounds them and calms that fire. Best taste qualities for Pitta: sweet, bitter, and astringent.
Summer Salad Bowl
Bowl
Mixed leafy greens
Cooked basmati rice
Chopped bell peppers
Cucumber slices.
Dressing
¾ cup pomegranate seeds
½ cup olive oil
¼ cup pure maple syrup
1 TBS lemon juice
1 TBS white balsamic vinegar
1 tsp dijon mustard
pinch of sea salt
Add everything to a blender and blend until smooth
Kapha
A balanced Kapha can be one of the most loving, stable, and devoted people you can find. Their primary sign is earth, representing density, moisture, and coldness. They usually have a larger structure with moderate circulation. When this dosha is not lifted and remains imbalanced, their bodies can easily become overweight, and deal with a lot of allergy and sinus problems. Personality-wise, imbalance can cause Kaphas to become controlling, insecure, and apathetic. A balanced diet consisting of lighter food to lift the dosha will work best for Kapha. Best taste qualities for Kapha: pungent, bitter, and astringent.
Fiesta Bean Salad
Pinto beans
Black beans
Tomatoes, slightly cooked
Onions
Corn
Cilantro, minced
Bell pepper
Add everything to a bowl
mix in the juice of a lime, salt, black pepper, chili powder, and cumin
Heat on oven until warmed.
Add sliced avocado if desired, but limit as heavier fruits can increase Kapha