Ayurveda, Your Constitution, and Food

In Ayurveda, health is achieved through self-knowledge. By knowing how your body and mind work and respond to the environment you can learn what supports health and what does not. Ayurveda provides a system called the Tri-Dosha theory that gives useful information and guidelines enabling a person to effectively relate to their environment. The three Doshas are variations of prana that create the body. These are Pitta, Vata, and Kapha. Everyone possesses a portion of each of these, and that proportion creates the mind/body constitution. By understanding the qualities and predominance of the Doshas in the body you can effectively learn how to keep them in balance. Balance of the Doshas is the key to health and developing your innate vitality.

The Doshas are forces that create the physical structure of the body and the environment. In Ayurvedic theory, each Dosha is given a certain quality, function and location in the body. The quality of Vata is similar to the wind. It is agitated, subtle, rough, cold, light, and dry. Vata Dosha helps keep the senses in coordination, governs exhalation and inhalation, gives the ability to move and discharge waste. It is located in the body in the thighs, hips, ears, bones, skin, and primarily the colon. The quality of Kapha is similar to water and earth. It is soft, fixed, sticky, dull, heavy, cold, and wet. Kapha Dosha helps to hold together the joints, gives stability of mind and body, lubricates, and conserves and restrains the other Doshas. It resides in the chest, throat, head, pancreas, sides, lymph, fat, nose, tongue and primarily the stomach. Pitta is similar to fire. It is oily, sharp, hot, light, sour in smell, mobile, and liquid. Pitta Dosha is the fire that cooks and processes things. It governs digestion, perception, hunger, thirst, complexion, intelligence and courage. Pitta primarily resides in the small intestines. It is also located in the stomach, skin, blood, lymph and eyes.

Every person has a unique Doshic constitution, and one is not better than another. Each constitution has its own strengths and weaknesses. In Western culture most people are overweight with the desire to be underweight, and it is helpful to keep in mind when you apply Ayurveda to your diet and lifestyle, there is no superficial physical ideal you are striving for. The goal of Ayurveda is perfect balance, perfect health. As you learn about the Doshas you will learn which ones have a tendency to be thin, average, and stocky. If you are currently plumper than average and apply these Ayurvedic principles you may find that you do, in fact, lose weight. Also, if you or others consider you unnaturally skinny you may find that you gain weight. What you are looking for to see if Ayurveda works for you is a healthier life and person. Remember, the goal is not to change to fit a societal stereotype; the goal is to optimize your health and prana capacity.

http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/constitutions/index.html

Fill out the questionnaire in the link above to determine your constitution. The column with the highest score will indicate your main constitution. This is the one you will be working with to balance. If another column is within two to four points of you main constitution you are a dual type. This requires that you learn and apply the principles that help balance both types. If you are undecided between two items either circle both or ask someone who knows you well to help you decide. You may want to fill out this questionnaire again after six months of implementing Ayurvedic principles in your life. Often if the body is imbalanced a different constitution will be determined initially. For example, when I first learned of Ayurveda I determined I was a Pitta/Kapha type. This was because I was eating lots of processed foods, meat, and excessive amounts of sugar. After applying the principles my health improved and I realized I was really a Pitta/Vata type. Once I removed the unbalancing factors of diet my body had a chance to express its natural constitution. Balance the Doshas you determine as your constitution now, and if needed reevaluate your plan as things change.

Now that you know your Ayurvedic constitution, familiarize yourself with basic indications of each Dosha. Begin consciously adjusting your lifestyle and attitude in accord with the factors that will strengthen your constitution. Use the dietary information that follows to help. If you would like more information on the Doshas than what is provided here, information can easily be found on the Internet. I also recommend Ayurvedic Healing by David Frawley, or An Easy Guide to Ayurveda by Roy Eugene Davis. If you would like more personal instruction, feel free to contact me at Ryan.Kurczak@gmail.com. Or visit www.healingeasy.com.

All foods have an effect on the Doshas. The food lists below explain which foods are best for each individual Dosha. Take the list that is appropriate to you and post it where you keep your food. Begin incorporating the proper foods into your diet and see what happens. Note, just because a food is labeled “should be avoided” doesn’t mean you have to cut it completely out of your diet. If you are living a balanced life and are relatively healthy, your body can probably handle an indulgence in a forbidden food here and there. Do your best, but avoid fanaticism.

Diets for the Different Constitutions

General Diet for Vata

Fruit

Apricots, bananas, cherries, dates, figs, grapes, grapefruit, lemons, limes, mango, papaya, peaches, pears, persimmons, pineapple, plums, pomegranate, orange, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, and tangerines are excellent.

Most fruit is good. If it is dry, soak it in water.

Raw apples, melons, and cranberries should be avoided.

Vegetables

Beets, bell peppers, carrots, cilantro, hot peppers, Jerusalem artichokes, mustard greens, okra, onions (well cooked), parsley, radish, sweet potatoes, winter squash, and yams are all good if well cooked.

Alfalfa sprouts, artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cucumber, egg plant, green beans, peas, potatoes, spinach, squash, tomatoes, turnips, and zucchini may cause difficulty.

Too many raw vegetables as well as lettuce and mushrooms are to be avoided.

Grains

Basmati rice, brown rice, oats, and wheat are all excellent.

Barley, buckwheat, corn, millet, and rye may cause difficulty.

Dry grains, granola, and corn chips are to be avoided.

Beans

 

Mung beans are good.

Aduki, black grams, chick peas, lima beans, peanuts, and tofu may cause difficulty.

Fava beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, lentils, and split peas are to be avoided.

Nuts and Seeds

All nuts and seeds are good except in excess, particularly almonds and sesame seeds.

 Oils

 All oils are good. Almond, sesame, and ghee are excellent.

Dairy Products

All dairy products are good. Those that are sour, buttermilk and kefir are excellent.

Sweeteners

Sweeteners are all right in moderation. Natural sweeteners are excellent.

 Condiments

 Spices, pickles, and vinegar are excellent.

 Animal products

All animal products are generally good for grounding Vata. They are deranging to the mind and are not advised for those endeavoring to cultivate spiritual awareness and clearer consciousness. Fish and eggs are better than red meats. The karmic consequences of meat-eating must not be forgotten for its possible disease causing potential.

General Diet for Pitta

Fruit

Sweet and astringent fruit is best. Apples, cranberries, dates, figs, grapes, mango, melons, pears, persimmons, pineapple, plums, pomegranate, and prunes are excellent.

Sour fruit, apricots, bananas, cherries, lemons, limes, oranges, papaya, plums, peaches, and strawberries may cause difficulty.

Vegetables

Alfalfa sprouts, asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cilantro, cucumber, green beans, lettuce, mushrooms, okra, peas, potatoes, squash, turnips, and zucchini are excellent.

Beets, carrots, chard, eggplant, mustard greens, parsley, spinach, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes may cause difficulty.

Hot peppers, garlic, onions, pickles and radishes are to be avoided.

Grains

Basmati rice, oats, corn, granola, and wheat are all excellent.

Brown rice, buckwheat, millet, rye, and corn chips may cause difficulty.

Beans

Most beans are ok but are Rajasic. Aduki beans, mung beans, and tofu are Sattvic.

Lentils are to be avoided.

 Nuts and Seeds

Coconut, and sunflower seeds are good.

Pine nuts, pumpkin seeds and soaked almonds may cause difficulty.

All other nuts, especially roasted and salted are to be avoided.

 

Oils

Butter, coconut, ghee, corn, sunflower, flax seed, and olive in moderation are all good.

All other oils are to be avoided.

Dairy Products

Sweet diary, milk, cream cheese, and cottage cheese are excellent.

Buttermilk, kefir, and yogurt may cause difficulty.

Sour cream and salty cheese must be avoided.

Sweeteners

 All natural sweeteners are good except Jaggary, honey and molasses.

 

Condiments

Condiments are to be avoided especially spices, salt, and vinegar. Exceptions are coriander, cumin, fennel, mint, turmeric, and soy sauce in moderation.

 Animal products

Animal products should generally be avoided, except egg whites and the white meat of chicken, if you want to take them. They are deranging to the mind and are not advised for those endeavoring to cultivate spiritual awareness and clearer consciousness. The karmic consequences of meat-eating must not be forgotten for its possible disease causing potential.

 

General Diet for Kapha

Fruit

Dry fruit, apples, cranberries, raisins, and prunes are excellent.

Apricots, grapefruit, lemon, lime, mango, papaya and pomegranate may cause difficulty.

Sweet fruit, bananas, cherries, dates, figs, grapes, melons, oranges, pears, peaches, persimmons, pineapple, plums, raspberry, and strawberry should be avoided.

 

Vegetables

Astringent and pungent vegetables: alfalfa sprouts, asparagus, artichokes, beans, beets, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, celery, chilies, cilantro, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, parsley, peas, potatoes, radish, and turnips are all good.

Cauliflower, cucumber, eggplant, squash, spinach and tomatoes may cause difficulty.

Okra and sweet potatoes are to be avoided.

Grains

 

Barley, buckwheat, corn, rye, and dry grains are all excellent.

Millet, rice, and granola may cause difficulty.

Oats and wheat are to be avoided.

 

Beans

All beans are generally good, particularly soybean products. Tofu can aggravate in very high Kapha conditions.

 

Nuts and Seeds

All nuts and seeds should be generally avoided with the exceptions of pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

 

Oils

Corn, safflower, soy, sunflower, or a little ghee can be taken in small quantities.

 

Dairy Products

Goat’s milk, small amounts of buttermilk are ok. Soymilk is preferable.

Dairy products should generally be avoided.

 

Sweeteners

 All sweeteners should be avoided except cooked honey.

Condiments

 All spices are good, particularly cayenne, black pepper, garlic, and ginger.

Salt, vinegar and pickles should be avoided.

 

Animal products

 

Animal products should generally be avoided. Pork, beef, and chicken are ok, if you want to take them. They are deranging to the mind and are not advised for those endeavoring to cultivate spiritual awareness and clearer consciousness. The karmic consequences of meat-eating must not be forgotten for its possible disease causing potential.