NUTRITION FOR YOUR DOSHA BODY TYPE
Ayurveda is a traditional approach of medicine that originated in the ancient Vedic times of India. It is a comprehensive approach to health and homeostasis that focuses on body, mind, emotions, spirit, and environment.
Ayurveda is the "Science of Life;" Ayus = Life and Veda = knowledge/science.
The Doshas are psychophysiological principles that direct many aspects of the human body and correlate with the individual's phenotype. Each individual has different ratios of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Our mind has a close relationship with our digestion. It is crucial to take into consideration that the state of mind at the time of eating can cause a positive or a negative effect on our metabolism.
Listen to your body and eat following the recommendations for your body type but also according to the seasons.
VATA: The creative (Space-Air)
Body Characteristics: Slim with thin limbs and straight body shapes, gain weight in the middle, and have little muscle tone. Have excellent agility, dry skin, and hair, cold hands, and feet and difficulty sweating.
Usually have an irregular appetite and sensitive digestion (bloating and constipation).
Get dry nasal passages and easily catch colds during the fall and winter.
Vata controls movement and communication, for example, blood flow, contraction of the heart, breathing, progress in the digestive system, and connection of cells through nerve impulses.
Personality: Wired and stressed and get tired late afternoon. Creative, enthusiastic, spontaneous, energetic, alert, and jumps from one idea to the next. Quick to learn, but don't have a great memory.
They are spiritually insightful and feel happy when in nature and the outdoors. They have an appreciation for beauty—Head in the clouds and talking at a million miles per hour.
Can suffer from insomnia and fatigue.
Nutrition: Vata individuals need to avoid dry/crunchy foods, carbonated beverages, and cold/raw vegetables. It is better for Vata to eat warm, cooked, soupy foods. Oils, ghee, cooked cereals; nuts; cooked vegetables; and hot milk. Herbal supplement, Triphala, helps digestive Vata imbalance.
Pitta: The leader (Fire-Water)
Body Characteristics: Typically of medium build, with excellent muscle tone, Pitta people can have premature gray hair or balding and have reddish skin. They always feel warm; enjoy high energy levels.
Mentally, they are intelligent, focused, and ambitious people. They are usually workaholics. Emotionally, they are passionate about life, are perfectionists, and can get easily irritated. Excess Pitta produces heat and anger in all forms.
Pitta controls digestion, metabolism, and transformation, including energy exchange, appetite, and endocrine functions. It also directs mental and emotional experiences.
Pitta imbalances show digestive problems (such as acid reflux, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and ulcers), joint inflammation with rheumatoid arthritis, and excessive stress.
Red and inflamed eyes, light sensitivity, headaches, cold sores, and skin rashes, extremely high libido, or impotence are also signs of pitta imbalance.
To help with the inflammation, do a coconut oil massage to the scalp and feet for 5 minutes before getting into the shower.
In terms of their diet, Sweet, Bitter, and Astringent flavors help balance excess Pitta. Sweet juicy fruits, for example, mangos and melons, cooling vegetables with high water content, such as cucumbers, kale, and lettuce, are excellent. Avoid foods that increase the fire like hot spices, alcohol, coffee, vinegar, and acidic foods.
Kapha: The nurturer (Water-Earth)
Kapha people are usually physically characterized by heavier body type, with full hips and shoulders, thick wavy hair, and good physical stamina.
Kapha's personality is naturally calm, thoughtful, and loving. Slow to learn, but they have a great memory. Usually very loyal, stable, and reliable. They enjoy life and are comfortable with the routine.
Kapha's function is to regulate the structure and cohesion of the body, including strength, stability, fluid balance, and weight.
To balance Kapha, eat light, fresh, and dry or cook light meals. Raw fruits and vegetables are favorable. Spicy food is also suitable for Kapha's. Avoid sweets, dairy products, or fatty foods and chilled foods or drinks.
When out of balance, they suffer sinus congestion, poor circulation, and sluggish digestion that lead to obesity. Adding garlic to food or take garlic supplements helps with congestion. A stimulating dry body massage help improves circulation.
To summarize, it is crucial to follow specific guidelines for your predominant dosha. The key to achieving homeostasis and balance is to eat whole foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes, reduce sugar intake and process foods, practice mindfulness, move your body and listen to it!