Learn about Ayurveda and determine your healing food dosha!

Ayurveda (pronounced Aye-ur-ve-dah) is a 5,000 year old art and science of balance. Taken apart, Ayu = Life, and “Veda” = Knowledge. Balance according to Ayurveda equals health and wellness. This ancient healing system has a prescription for healing via the foods we eat each day.

There are two words to become familiar with in the Ayurvedic vernacular, and they are “Dosha” and “Sadahana”. Dosha means one’s mind/body/spirit “personality”, and Sadahana means routine. In a nutshell, once we find out what our Dosha personality is, we can then develop routines based on nutrition, fitness, and well-being on a practical basis.

There are 3 categories listed below, and see which group of traits seem to fit you best. Be aware that there will be characteristics of all 3 in all of us, but usually 1 category stands out more.

A.
Physical: either tall or short but with a slender, perhaps underweighted frame. Frizzy, dry hair, dry skin, small hazel or grey eyes, and suffers from arthritis, cold hands and feet, nervousness, and fidgeting.

Mental: quick mind, but quick to forget, curious, but at times to a fault as can lack focus, creative, free thinker.

Spirit: highs are high and lows are low, fearful, well-meaning, and light hearted at times.

B.
Physical: red, blond, or light hair and fairer skin, medium, muscular build, athletic.

Mental: focused, big thinker, and tenacious, perfectionist of self and others, natural leader. Deals with indigestion, headache, fever, and skin issues.

Spirit: hot-headed and touchy, driving, impatient with self especially.

C.
Physical: larger boned, tendency to overweight. Beautiful large eyes and lustrous hair. God or Goddess-like stature.

Mental: calm, mellow, excellent memory, and collaborative.

Spirit: tendency to “cocoon” and hibernate, can hang on to persons or things that no longer serve a purpose out of loyalty, an excellent team player.

We all have a bit of the three Doshas within us. A few lucky individuals have the three Doshas within them in equal amounts. Talk about true balance! But for the rest of us, usually one or two Doshas seem to pop up, and given this information, we can then look at lifestyle choices to make to balance Dosha energy that may be out of balance, or keep on making choices that serve our health well.

If you felt as thought category A suits you, then you are Vata. If B, then you are Pitta, if C, you are Kapha.

So, I have a little “assignment” for you! After you’ve determined your Dosha delve a bit further into what foods and food preparations that are “friendly” to your Dosha makeup or personality. For example, Vata is balanced with luscious dates, figs, and bananas. Pitta needs to avoid almonds and fiery spices. Kapha does well with the spices that Pitta avoids!

Here is a short list of Dosha friendly and not so friendly foods:

Vata: juicy, sweet foods as watery and sweet balance the dry and light characteristics of this Dosha. Vata can enjoy about every spice and nut there is as well as oils and good fats like avocados. Vata needs heavier, denser foods to feel satisfied so lettuces, apples, or crackers aren’t the best choices. So avoid light dry foods like cold cereals (hot, chewy cereals are great), also avoid cold, raw foods meaning take good stuff like lettuces, spinach, carrots, etc., and stir fry them or broil or braise them. The heat will warm Vatas, and provide the heavier “meatier” texture Vata needs to feel satisified.

Pitta: this Dosha is ruled by metabolism so hot, spicy foods will only upset Pittas. Cool, lighter foods like summer soups, good quality breads, herbs like cinnamon, fennel, cardamom, and nutmeg will cool down Pitta. Pitta, please avoid the hot peppers, the cumins, the curries on the hotter side, almonds, wheat grains, and mints. These upset your digestive system, whereas rices, tropical fruits, ancient grains, and nuts like cashews, walnuts, and pine nuts will “cool the fire”.

Kapha: the tendency here is to partake of foods that enliven and motivate, so the hot, spicy foods that disagree with Pitta completely sing to Kapha. Kapha also needs to avoid dairy as this Dosha suffers from asthma, lung, and throat issues, and needs to hydrate well to avoid bloat and water retention. Kapha, avoid dairy and choose nut milks, ghee (purified butter, and great for all Doshas!) pick a wide array of Ethnic foods (Mexican, Thai, Ethiopian, etc.), and be generous with mints in your cooking and beverages. Kapha needs to “go big” on fruits and veggies, and eaten raw is just fine.

Now that you have some basic lists of Dosha-friendly foods, what are you already eating that made the list, and what are you eating that perhaps should be avoided, or at least cut down on? If you find some foods on the “avoid” list on your plate, can you eliminate at least one of them for a week? See how you feel after 7 days! Sometimes that’s all it takes for one to find out just how these “off the list” foods can affect your health!

In Everyday Ayurveda Tips to come, we’ll create some Dosha-friendly menus that are quick, easy, and really, really good! Go forth and Be Well!

Namaste!

Nicole DePalma

Nicole De Palma MS, BS, BA, ACSM, ACE, NETA, LMT is the owner of MindfulMotion Pilates and Wellness in Hastings, MN. Nicole is an Ayurvedic Practitioner and looks forward to sharing information with clients in the area of Ayurvedic healing and balance.