The Health Benefits Of An Ayurvedic Diet

Ayurveda is one of the oldest traditional medical practices. It was developed in the Indian subcontinent. It is recognized as one of the formal health services in the country and an Ayurvedic diet is one of the pillars.

In Sanskrit, the word Ayurveda means science or knowledge of life . It emphasizes health and disease prevention through lifestyle, massage, meditation and certain herbal remedies.

Keep reading to find out more about this lifestyle.

An Ayurvedic diet

This is more about eating healthy and not following a strict diet. The main goal is to maintain your personal balance because you are what you eat. Overall, there are three different types of dosha defined as a series of individual attributes where the base is body type, personality and dominant element. Thus, the doshas are crucial for optimal development.

The different doshas are:

• Vata is fast, flexible and creative. They tend to be thin but often suffer from colds, digestive problems and difficulty concentrating.
• The Pitta type is intelligent, hardworking, firm and medium built. They are prone to inflammation, have a healthy appetite and usually have no digestive problems.
• Kapha is calm and loving, strong and resilient and has trouble losing weight. They often suffer from constipation.

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In addition to following the right type of diet for your dominant personality, an Ayurvedic diet is based on a number of guidelines and routines you must follow.

The most prominent for all types of people are:

• Eat three meals a day to complete the digestive cycle without interruption.
• Eat at least 3 hours before bed.
• Eat until you are satisfied, not full.
• Prioritize fresh, healthy food.
• Include the 6 basic flavors in each meal.
• Eat consciously and in a relaxed environment.

Types of food

Ayurveda has established guidelines for what, how and when to eat depending on body type or dominant dosha. There are detailed recommendations on what types of foods you should include in your diet  depending on whether Vata, Pitta or Kapha dominate.

Vata

These people need a nutritious diet consisting of dishes prepared at a warm temperature and which are mildly spicy. They must keep a regular schedule and the diet must include the following:

• Oatmeal and rice
• Eggs, chicken and fish
• Fermented dairy products
• Legumes in limited quantities
• Sweet, ripe and juicy fruit
• Soaked almonds, walnuts and seeds in general
• Sesame oil
• Turmeric, cumin, coriander and ginger as spices

They should limit the consumption of:

• Red meat
• Hard cheeses
• Astringent dried fruits such as blueberries, apples and pomegranates
• Raw vegetables and mushrooms

Pitta

Cold, slightly spicy foods that are sweet, refreshing and bitter are best for this type of people. A vegetarian diet is a good option for them and they must include the following foods in their diet:

• Barley, rice, oats and wheat
• Chicken and turkey as sources of animal protein
• Milk, ghee, butter and unsalted cheese
• Legumes in small quantities (the best are black lentils, chickpeas and mung beans)
• Sweet fruits such as apples, blueberries and dates
• Salads and raw vegetables
• Sunflower and pumpkin seeds (from time to time)
• Cardamom, cinnamon, fennel and turmeric

The dominant pitta personality should avoid the following:

• Products of animal origin, especially shellfish and eggs
• Red and yellow lenses
• Sour fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, radishes, chili peppers, raw onions and garlic
• Most seeds and nuts because they are fatty
• Strong spices

Kapha

The most recommended diet for this dosha is one where hot, light and dry food dominates. Bitter, sour and spicy flavors are also preferred. Thus, these are the best types of foods for this diet:

• Buckwheat and millet
• Baked or fried chicken, rabbit and seafood
• Ghee and goat’s milk
• Red lentils, black beans and mung beans
• Mango, peach, apricot and pear
• Vegetables that grow above the ground, especially green leafy vegetables such as spinach, beetroot and cabbage
• Pumpkin and sunflower seeds in small quantities
• Most spices. Especially garlic and ginger

Dosha must also avoid the following:

• Sweet potatoes, oats and wheat
• Any type of dairy products and fats, especially fried foods
• Too sweet or sour fruit
• Root vegetables such as turnips, beets or radishes
• Seeds and nuts in general
• All sweeteners and salt

Pros and cons of an Ayurvedic diet

The set of routines and foods that are part of an Ayurvedic diet focuses on improving your overall health. These are some of the strengths and benefits of diet:

• First, it promotes a healthy lifestyle that includes simple foods.
• Plant-based foods dominate and have many positive effects on disease prevention
• It encourages eating carefully.
• It is also a way of life.
• It can balance your body weight through proper digestion, better lipid profile and lower risk of chronic disease.

However, there are some things you need to consider before changing your lifestyle:

• Ayurveda is a lifestyle, not a diet, so it’s not just about food. You must therefore follow it as a whole.

• It can be difficult to find some of the products where you live and get used to their taste.
• Finally, it will require dedication to change the way you cook and eat.

Some recent recommendations for an Ayurvedic diet

You need to consult an Ayurveda specialist before making any major changes to your current diet and lifestyle. This is because they need to determine your dosha and establish any existing or possible imbalances that need treatment.

Good organizational skills are essential when it comes to sticking to this plan. Thus, everyone who follows it must spend some time adapting to new habits and new tastes.