Ayurvedic diets and medicine are a comprehensive system of healing which is customized for each practitioner based on dosha or specific body type, with an ultimate goal to avoid foods based on the individual body type specific needs and changing food intake based on seasonal changes, which is said to affect energy levels and encourage self healing. There are three kinds of Ayurvedic diet plans; pitta, vata, and kapha which encourage eating organic foods free from pesticides and chemicals. It is recommended to work with an Ayurvedic practitioner to design a specific diet plan tailored to your needs.
Vata constitutions tend to be for individuals on the slender side, that often suffer from digestive problems, most likely are creative people that are prone to anxiety and mental stress, with common health problems including heart and neurological disease. Vata diet plans have healthy fats with almost every meal, consisting of sweet salty and sour flavored foods, including warm water, tea, warming spices, limiting raw foods and too much fresh juice, with avoidance of frozen or cold foods.
Kapha constitution is defined as an individual with a medium sized body composition which are often athletic or in control of body weight, typically athletic, competitive, and aggressive individuals susceptible to heart disease and infections. Kapha diet plans are a balance between cold and hot foods using bitter, pungent, astringent foods, low fat dairy, beans and grains, limiting sugar and water consumption, and avoidance of tofu, sweets, and fatty foods.
Pitta constitution is typically an individual who struggles to control weight and body image, while supportive and loving these individuals often have sadness and lack of motivation, and are prone to obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Pitta diet plans are smaller meals every 2-3 hours daily which contain a lot of cooling fruits and vegetables, including bitter, sweet, astringent foods, avoiding raw or heavily spiced dishes including sour and spicy foods.
To follow an Ayurvedic diet plan one must determine their body type diet to be followed, then the simple meal plans will help to align energy levels with dietary intake. There are many benefits to following an Ayurvedic diet including the ability to improve moods, relieve jaundice, lower risk of diabetes, aid in weight loss, improve digestive issues, improve hormone levels, fight fatigue, detox the body relieve kidney stress, relieve inflammation caused by arthritis, and boost the immune system, among others. It is recommended to consume fresh organic foods as much as possible which include, spices, root vegetables, healthy fats, soaked legumes and beans, seasonal fruits and vegetables, water, wine, tea, nuts and seeds, meats, Ghee, honey, lemon, figs, dates, almonds, mung beans, Lassi, ginger, cow’s milk, fermented grains, and soaked sprouted grains.
Ayurvedic diets have many potential benefits, but there are also some possible side effects such as gastrointestinal distress, especially when first changing diet plans. Ayurvedic medicine is well known as a beneficial complementary and alternative medicine, it is recommended to be used in conjunction with formal medical advice especially if suffering from a serious or chronic health condition.
