Ayurveda Meets Food: Know About The Diet, Benefits And More
Image Credit: An Ayurvedic diet heals the body and soul

Ayurveda believes that we should feed our bodies according to our doshas or body types. Largely, there are 3 main doshas, based on the 5 elements like water, air, fire, earth, space.   

  • Vata: This is characterized by intense, creative, cold, rough, dry etc.   
  • Pitta: This is characterized by intelligence, sharpness, hot, liquid etc.  
  • Kapha: This is characterized by calm, soft, moist, heavy etc.   

You can assess yourself against these characteristics and decide which is the dominant dosha in you. Each dosha has a combination of foods that you should eat and others that you should avoid. You can also use the assistance of an Ayurvedic doctor to determine your dosha. Sometimes, it may be the case that you may belong to 2 doshas.   

For example, if you belong to the Vata dosha, you should include items like eggs, fish, red lentils, cooked vegetables, sweet fruits etc. And, avoid lamb, chocolates, potatoes, dried fruits. Similarly, people characterised by Pitta dosha can consume chicken (white meat), white wine, almonds, watermelon while steering clear from apricots, avocado, soy sauce, spinach, chicken (dark meat). If Kapha is your dominant dosha, then you can eat shrimp, turkey, buttermilk, astringent fruits but say no to kidney beans, cooked oats, sweet fruits etc.   

How does an Ayurvedic diet help you?   

  • Enhances the well-being of individuals

Based on certain pilot studies, it benefits psychosocial health but still requires more research.   

  • Catalyst in resolving chronic conditions

Type-2 diabetes, heart disease, disruptive sleep patterns, and poor sleep quality is shown to have improved, owing to Ayurvedic dietary practices.   

  • Good for weight loss and weight management

Several studies published in the International Journal of Obesity have found weight loss and weight management to be directly linked to a yoga-based approach with Ayurvedic practices for medication.   

These Ayurvedic dietary plans should be inculcated in your regular diet only after a consultation with a doctor or practitioner. This is because some herbs and medicines can have adverse side effects on your body, depending on the body type.