Ayurvedic Diet – Benefits And Diet Plan For Detoxification

Since every person has a dominant dosha, eating foods that are not complementary to your body type (dosha) is crucial. Here are the main characteristics of each dosha that will help you determine your category:

1) Vata:

Vata dosha involves the elements “space” and “air,” and it governs the movement of all biological activities. It also gives motion to the other two doshas, i.e., pitta and kapha. When balanced, Vata dominant people are usually active, creative, and have the gifted ability to express themselves. 

They quickly learn, adapt and have a joyful personality. Their body type is usually on the slim side and can be short or tall. They have cold hands and feet due to low body fat, and their veins and muscle tendons are mostly visible.

When Vata goes out of balance, they start to act on impulses, stress, anxiety, and mood swings. They also struggle with digestion, which negatively affects the joints and muscles. 

2) Pitta:

Pitta dosha (fire + water) governs the digestive and metabolic processes of the system. People who have this dosha as dominant are hard-working and intelligent. Furthermore, emotions like willpower, courage, jealousy, and anger control most of their lives. 

Pitta (balanced) dominant people generally have a medium physique built with average height. With moderate muscle development, they also have a strong metabolism, resulting in a big appetite where they can intake large amounts of foods.  

When pitta is out of balance, one can experience:

1) Excess heat generating in the system and sweating

2) Digestion problems such as gas and acid reflux

3) Highly emotional and easily short-tempered

4) Constipation or diarrhea 

5) Bad body odor 

3) Kapha:

Kapha dosha is the combination of water and earth energy. Its function is to provide lubrication to the physical structure that includes all the functioning parts of the body. 

Kapha dominant people are usually calm, loyal, and slow-paced. They often have a well-developed body structure with good muscle build and tend to gain excess weight. They cannot be aggravated easily, but they do have traits of envy, attachment, and possessiveness.  

People with Kapha dosha can have weight gain, diabetes, and asthma issues. 

This is the general outline for all three doshas. Now, after knowing your dominant one, you should eat the right combination of foods that promote inner as well as outer balance.

Vata Balancing Foods

Vata dosha dominant should limit carbonated (cold) drinks, dried fruits, and raw veggies and focus more on warm and moist food. Some of the foods that are favorable to this dosha are:

1) Fruits that are generally sweet and nourishing, such as ripped bananas, kiwi, berries, grapes, grapefruit, mango, melons, oranges, and coconuts.   

2) Vegetables that pacify Vata dosha are usually cooked, moist, sweet, and warm. Some of them are avocado, carrots (cooked), green beans, sweet potatoes, spinach, cucumber, etc. 

 3) Dairy foods: Buttermilk, cheese, ghee, yogurt, and cheese.

4) Nuts: Almonds, peanuts, cashews, and walnuts. 

5) Seeds: Flax, chia, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds.

6) Green leafy Vegetables: Spinach, fenugreek, kale, cabbage, and broccoli.

Pitta Balancing Foods

Pitta dosha dominant should limit sour fruits and certain nuts, seeds, and spices. They should focus more on cooling foods such as: 

1) Sweet fruits: apples, berries, cherries, mangoes, pineapples, etc. 

2) Cooked vegetables such as beets, carrots, onions, cauliflower, leafy greens, green beans, and kale.

3) Dairy foods: Ice cream, homemade yogurt, cheese, and cottage cheese.

4) Seeds: Flax, pumpkin, and sunflower.

Kapha Balancing Foods

Kapha dosha dominant should avoid foods that are often heavy for them, which include cakes, pasta, red meat, puddings, and deep-fried foods. Favorable foods for Kapha people are often light and airy, such as fruits. Their diet should also contain less sweet, sour, or salty foods. Some Kapha pacifying foods are:

1) Fruits that are slightly astringent and mildly sweet, such as apples, cherries, berries, mango, strawberries, apricots, etc. 

2) Vegetables that are pungent and bitter: Cooked tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, beet greens, cauliflower, kale, radishes, etc. 

3) Dairy products: Buttermilk, ghee, goat’s milk.

4) Nuts are generally not so balancing for Kapha. Still, a few exceptions are acceptable in small quantities, such as almonds(soaked), flax, chia, and pumpkin seeds. 

5) Dairy products should be avoided because they are heavy and tend to increase mucus production. The only exceptions are goat’s milk products that are considered best for Kapha due to their light nature but should be moderately consumed.