Youve probably come across the wordAyurvedarecently (your bestie swears by herAyurvedic morning routine,and your yoga teacher told you that she only eats according to her dosha). But what exactly is it...and is it just a fad? Before you dismiss the Ayurvedic diet as another version of the clean eating trend, you should know that this Indian philosophy has actually been around for thousands of years.
This ancient philosophy of holistic healing is based on the belief that health depends on a balanceofmind, body and spirit. This delicate equilibrium is achieved by following the guidelines and ideas written down in 5,000-year-old Vedic texts. Ayurvedic principles remind us that we are self-healing creatures and that we can maintainor regaingood health by choosing healing foods, a balanced lifestyle and inner calm, writes Vedic scholar Acharya Shunya inAyurveda Lifestyle Wisdom.
Eating healthy, wholesome foods is one of the main pillars of Ayurveda. Another important aspect of this intricate wellness system? Being in tune with your dosha. (More on that below.)
According to Ayurveda,the universe is made up of five elements:vayu (air), jala (water), akash (space), teja (fire) and prithvi (earth). These elements combine to form three different doshas, or life energies: Vata (space and air), Pitta (fire and water) and Kapha (earth and water).
The three doshas are present in all of us, butwe each have one that is more prominent, while the other two should be in an equal (but often shifting) balance. Optimal health is achieved when the doshas are balanced.
Once you know your dominant energy force, you can eat specific foods for your dosha that will nourish your body and promote balance. You can also avoid foods that will cause imbalance, which Ayurveda considers to be at the root of many diseases and health issues, including poor digestion, bad sleep, anxiety, skin problems and more. Confused? Heres an example: Pitta is made up of the fireelement, so someone with that dosha should avoid foods that would fuel that fire (say, a spicy enchilada) since this would throw the elements out of balance.
For an extensive guide to eating for your dosha, check out TheAyurvedicInstituteanditscomprehensive list of foods toeat and to avoid.You can also find an abbreviated version of this below. (Note: Because Ayurveda is such an ancient program, there may be some variation from one source to another.)
The best way to uncover your dosha is to meet with an Ayurvedic doctor, who can suggestwhich foods to eat to achieve optimal balance. You can also discover your dominant energy with this easyWhat Is Your Ayurvedic Dosha?quizor by reading up about each dosha to see where you may fit. Here are some general characteristics:
Vata
Pitta
Kapha
Vata
Pitta
Kapha
Ready to start cooking? Start with one of thesedelicious Ayurvedic recipes.
Following an Ayurvedic diet isnt just aboutwhatfoods you eatbut alsohowyou eat them. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind:
When to eat
Cook food mindfully.Typically, making dinner involves a quick trip to the grocery store, coming home and realizing weve forgotten a key ingredient, and then a mad dash to get something on the table before 9 p.m., all while turning the kitchen into a giant mess. Its not exactly a Zen activity. But for those following an Ayurvedic diet, cooking should be a tranquil experience. Ayurveda recommends preparing fresh foods in a slow and relaxed manner in a spirit of joy and with the keen anticipation that will make the salivary glands and other digestive juices flow, says Shunya.
Make each meal an event.Time to bust out the fine china. Yep, even if youre eating solo. Set the stage for your meal with beautiful, clean and inspirational crockery, advises Shunya. Put some music on in the background (she recommends wind chimes) and consider lighting a candle or having some fresh fruits or flowers as a centerpiece.
Dont eat too quickly and remember to chew your food.Its all about being mindful about what youre eating and how it tastes, as well as allowing your digestive system to do its thing. (But dont eat so slowly that your food becomes cold.)
Dont eat too much...or too little.This one is tricky since the right amount of food depends on the person. Shunyas advice? Eat until you feel pleasantly satiated. When you walk away from the table, you should not have any discomfort in your abdomen, your breathing should be comfortable and your mind should feel content. Only you know where to draw the line. If youre not sure how to do this, try to stop eating just before youre full. (Its OK to feel a little bit hungry after a meal.) Still need some help? Imagine your stomach is divided into four parts: two are for solids, one is for liquids and the last one you should keep emptysothat everything digests appropriately.
Avoid mutually incompatible foods.Certain foods should not be eaten together, per Ayurvedic principles. For example, milk and vegetables, egg and meat, chicken and honey, lemon and tomato. Another bad combo? Raw fruit with cooked food (so go ahead and cancel that pineapple pizza order). These bad combos can upset the digestive system and cause unnecessary strain to your body.
Drink water consciously.You know youre supposed to drink eight glasses of water a day to stay hydrated, but because youreusually busy,you totallyforget andoften go for long stretches without drinking anything at all and then gulp a giant glass in two minutes flat. (Hey, us too.) Well, did youknow theresan Ayurvedic way of drinking water? Per our friends atVasanti Health, sipping water slowly and deliberately throughout the day is much more beneficial to your body than sudden gulping. Ideally, this water should be room temperature or warm(notice-cold).
Cook with ghee.This clarified butter should be your main cooking medium.Gheehas a super-high smoke point, which makes it great for sauting. And because it has no milk proteins or lactose, its easier for sensitive stomachs to digest. (Dont worry, it tastes like butter.)
Alejandro Junger,M.D.,internist and founder of wellness companyClean, is a big proponent of the Ayurvedic diet. I have witnessed the benefits and I think it is not a risky thing to try when looking for solutions, especially when other methods have not worked, he tells us. Whether its sugar balance, hormonal balance, weight loss, immune strengthening or improving digestion, Ayurvedic intervention through dosha dietary guidelines reaches every cell in the body.
Theres a lot to like about the Ayurvedic diet. It focuses on nutrient-rich whole foods, which experts agree is beneficial to your health. It also minimizes processed foods, which are typically lacking in fiber and nutrients. Finally, the Ayurvedic diet encourages mindful eating (so no more scarfing down an energy bar for lunch). And while research islimited,one small study from the University of Arizonafound that participants whofollowed an Ayurveda-based program (which included dietary changes and yoga classes)experienced an average weight loss of13 pounds overnine months.
As for potential drawbacks? The diet can be confusing to follow. The lists of foods to eatand toavoid are quite extensive, and noteveryone can adhereto the diets suggestions for when to eat and how much. It can also be difficult to accurately determine yourdosha, soyou run the risk of not following the diet correctly.
Ifyou are suffering from a particular health issue, the diet shouldnt replace advice from a medical professional. Per Dr. Junger, I believe that no treatment or approach is good foreverything. But, he tells us, theres certainly no harm in tryingit.
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What Is the Ayurvedic Diet, and Wait, Whats This About Eating for My Dosha? - Yahoo Lifestyle
