Ayurvedic Recipes

What is the Ayurvedic diet?

Ayurveda is a form of holistic medicine focused on promoting balance between the body and mind.

According to Ayurveda, five elements make up the universe — vayu (air), jala (water), akash (space), teja (fire), and prithvi (earth).

These elements are believed to form three different doshas, which are types of energy that circulate within your body. Each dosha is responsible for specific physiological functions.

For example, the pitta dosha controls hunger, thirst, and body temperature. The vata dosha maintains movement, and the kapha dosha promotes joint function.

The Ayurvedic diet is based on determining your dominant dosha and eating specific foods to promote balance between all three doshas.

Here are some of the main characteristics for each dosha:

• Vata (air + space). Vatas are often described as creative, intense, or expressive. Attributes include dry, light, cold, and rough.
• Pitta (fire + water). Pittas are often described as intelligent, joyful, and driven. Attributes include sharp, hot, liquid, and mobile.
• Kapha (earth + water). Kaphas are often described as calm, loving, or lethargic. Attributes include moist, heavy, soft, and static.

According to the Ayurvedic diet, your dosha determines which foods you should eat to promote inner balance.

For example, the vata dosha favors warm, moist, and grounding foods while restricting dried fruits, herbs, and raw veggies.

Meanwhile, the pitta dosha focuses on cooling, energizing foods and limits spices, nuts, and seeds.

Finally, the kapha dosha limits heavy foods like nuts, seeds, and oils in favor of fruits, veggies, and legumes.

Red meat, artificial sweeteners, and processed ingredients are limited for all three doshas. Instead, the Ayurvedic diet encourages eating healthy whole foods.