Know All About Ayurvedic Nutrition and Mind-Body Health
Introduction
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian medicine system. It is a holistic approach for an improved life and wellness. As we are aware, Ayurveda, is based on the three energies/doshas of “Vatta”, “Pitta” and “Kapha” conformed by the elements of air, fire, water, earth and ether.
Ayurvedic nutrition is based on balancing all these doshas and the six tastes i.e. sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent, for a healthy mind and body balance.
Ayurvedic nutrition aims at the nourishment of the body, mind and spirit by eating habits curated as per our doshas. The food we eat, the cooking methods, the taste, textures, all together play an important part in maintaining our mind and body balance. Ayurvedic nutrition can be beneficial in attaining overall wellness, improved digestion and emotional wellness.
The first step is to understand our constitution/dosha and modify our meals accordingly to balance all three doshas, thereby leading to an overall healthier lifestyle.
The three amigos (doshas)
The three doshas are the foundation on which our nutrition should be based.
- Vatta: The vatta dosha controls the mobility of our body and is associated with the elements of air and space (ether). An imbalance of this dosha results in anxiety, dry skin, and digestive issues.
- Pittha: The Pitta dosha controls the metabolism and digestion of our body and is associated with the elements of fire and water. Imbalance of this dosha results in inflammation, heartburn and irritability.
- Kapha: The Kapha dosha controls the structure and stability of our body and is associated with the elements if earth and water. Imbalance of this dosha results in weight gain, lethargy and congestion.
Ayurvedic nutrition is based on how to balance these three doshas for a healthy life. Let us see how this benefits us.
- Improves digestion: Ayurvedic nutrition focuses on easily digestible foods that are best suited to our constitution. Meal plans curated as per our dosha help to boost our digestion and promote better absorption of nutrients thereby easing digestive issues which make us overall healthier.
- Energy booster: Ayurvedic nutrition stresses eating food, as per our dosha, that nourishes us. Meal plans consisting of foods that are nutritious help to boost our energy levels, enhance vitality, and reduce excess fat/weight making us overall healthier.
- Immunity booster: Ayurvedic nutrition is rich in some antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that boost our immunity, prevent diseases, and reduce the risk of contracting illnesses.
- Managing emotions: Ayurvedic nutrition promotes the connection between food and our emotions. Meal plans consisting of foods, as per our dosha, help in managing our emotions better, reduce stress, heighten mental clarity, and initiate overall health.
- Balances doshas: Ayurvedic nutrition can prevent health issues related to dosha excesses or deficiencies. Meal plans consisting of foods, as per our doshas, can effectively balance this excess or deficiency, thereby improving overall wellness. It also reduces the risk of contracting chronic ailments and having a long life.
- Curation: Ayurvedic nutrition is specifically curated as per a person’s doshas. Each individual has different dietary requirements and thus the meal plans are specific to each individual. This curation can help to achieve better health and wellness.
There are some other points to keep in mind too:
- Ayurvedic nutrition focuses on consuming fresh foods and avoiding processed foods.
- Practice mindfulness: eat mindfully, savouring each morsel, feeling its textures and taste, chewing slowly, without any digital distractions.
- Consume meals that include all the six tastes: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, pungent, and astringent
- Avoid those foods that are unsuitable to you, as per your dosha.
- Consume fresh, seasonal, locally sourced foods
- Modify your meal plans as per the changing seasons and doshas
- Practice yoga and meditation
Food is to be nurtured by our body and soul, as per Ayurveda. Mindful eating makes you increasingly aware enforces your feeling of gratitude and enhances your connection with your plate and your surroundings.
Foods as per doshas
Here are some of the foods that can be consumed as per the three Doshas.
1. Pitta dosha
- Proteins: small portions of poultry, egg whites, tofu
- Dairy products: milk, ghee, butter
- Fruits: sweet ripe fruits like oranges, pears, pineapples, bananas, melons and mangoes
- Vegetables: sweet and bitter vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, zucchini, leafy greens, sweet potatoes, carrots, squash and Brussels sprouts
- Legumes: Chickpeas, lentils, mung beans, lima beans, black beans, kidney beans
- Grains: barley, oats, basmati rice, wheat
- Nuts and seeds: Small quantities of pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, coconut
- Herbs and spices: small portions of black pepper, cumin, cinnamon, cilantro, dill and turmeric
2. Vatta dosha
- Small portions of poultry, seafood, tofu
- Dairy products: milk, butter, yoghurt, cheese, ghee
- Fruits: Fully ripe sweet heavy fruits like bananas, blueberries, strawberries, grapefruit, mangoes, peaches, and plums
- Vegetables: cooked vegetables like beets, sweet potatoes, onions, radishes, turnips, carrots, and green beans
- Legumes: chickpeas, lentils, mung beans
- Grains: cooked oats and cooked rice
- Nuts and seeds: any seeds like almonds, walnuts, pistachios, chia seeds, flax seeds, and sunflower seeds
- Herbs and spices: cardamom, ginger, cumin, basil, cloves, oregano, thyme, black pepper
3. Kapha dosha
- Proteins: small portions of poultry, seafood, and egg whites
- Dairy products: skim milk, goat milk, soy milk
- Fruits: Apples, blueberries, pears, pomegranate, cherries, and dried fruits like raisins, figs, and prunes
- Vegetables: Asparagus, leafy greens, onions, potatoes, mushrooms, radishes, okra
- Legumes: any like black beans, chickpeas, lentils, and navy beans
- Grains: oats, rye, buckwheat, barley, corn, millet
- Nuts and seeds: small portions of pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and flax seeds
- Herbs and spices: any, like cumin, black pepper, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, basil, oregano, and thyme
Recommendation
Always consult an Ayurvedic medical practitioner or dietician for better guidance as to your curated meal plans, based on your age, weight and medical history.
A balance between the body and mind can thus be achieved by the Ayurvedic nutrition format. This is imperative for our life and longevity.
