If pots and pans are your thing, get ready for even more fun. According to the science of Ayurveda, the way you mix, match, and cook your food, can set the tone not only in your overall health but also your mood. Humm, and nothing like the taste of well-being and happiness, right? Sure! Anything to send the blues away and start cooking some new excitement into your life… But wait a minute, what is Ayurveda, this set of culinary doshic rules and how does it work?
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian healing system, really… really old- we are talking about over 5000 years BC, that includes lifestyle habits, yoga, and diet that are used to promote balance in the body, mind, and spirit. It is based on a holistic system of wisdom that takes as premise the different constitutions of the body and mind and the combined elements with their own unique characteristics and qualities. Ok we get it; everybody is different. According to ayurvedic concepts, these peculiarities are the result of those combinations which are based on the behavior of the different elements, energies, that are associated with those. If this is getting confusing, here is a good starting point: Way back in the past, through observation and research, it was agreed that the body can have energetic combinations based on 3 different types. They are called Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata, the crazy one, is a mix of air and space. Pitta, the fiery, sometimes angry, is composed of energetic manifestations of fire and water. Kapha, the slow, laid back and many times considered the easy going one, is composed of earth and water. Eating according to your dosha helps you learn what to eat, when to eat and in what quantity. All to best support your individual needs.
ENERGETIC APPETITE OF THE DOSHAS
It is time to explain this better. Vata is air and space. Now just think why… Air moves fast, the qualities are cold, kind of rough, fast, light, and dry. Space is empty, light. The associated behavior of those energetics is associated with movement and change. People with a predominant vata dosha are usually thin and energetic. They tend to get cold easily, they have difficulty sleeping and may suffer from constipation. Eating to balance a vata dosha includes choosing foods which are nourishing and grounding, such as whole grains, warm soups and stews, freshly cooked vegetables, and flavorful spices. Minimizing or eliminating processed, canned, and frozen foods, as well as cold foods and drinks is beneficial. But wait, there is more, actually… a lot more. Taste, or rasa, is important. Tastes that are naturally, pls read again the word naturally! … sweet, sour and salty are said to pacify or make vata happier. Pittas, on the other hand are warmer by nature. Pitta types have a fierier constitution, which can be seen in how they are passionate and dynamic in their actions. They tend to be hot-natured, meaning they perspire and move quickly. Pitta types need to balance their intense energy by making sure they take time to relax and practice mindful activities. Eating to balance pitta includes reducing foods such as caffeine, alcohol, and spicy or hot foods. Eating cooling and calming foods such as sweet or bitter vegetables, cooling spices and non-stimulating fruits can help to bring balance to the body. So, when you think Pitta happiness, include sweet, astringent, and bitter components to the taste buds.
Kapha type people have a more earthy and grounded energy. They can also, when unbalanced be prone to congestion, depression, and lethargy. A good kapha diet, that prevents those negative aspects are foods with pungent, astringent, and bitter tastes to stimulate the metabolism and are energizing. If you need some inspiration, think sauteed vegetables and legumes that are still warm but light and add some pungent spices such as grounded ginger and turmeric.
And yes, when I said there was a lot more involved, I really meant that, because on top of it all, every taste on itself also have their cooling and warming capabilities. This energetic trait is called virya (temperature) in Ayurveda. Think energetics, don’t think actual body temperature and please, do not get discouraged. Look at the table below and get familiar with the new way of planning your menu:
Sweet (Madhura)- cooling (earth and water)
Balances Vata and Pitta
Might aggravate Kapha
Associated Positive emotions: Compassion, joy, bliss, happiness, so much love!!
When in excess, it turns into potential greed, attachment, over possessiveness
Examples- Rice, lentils, potatoes, garbanzo beans, tofu, milk, eggs, salmon, pork, cashews, coconut, almonds
Sour (Amla)- heating (earth and fire)
Balances Vata
Might aggravate Pitta and Kapha
Associated Positive emotions- Gratitude, understanding
In excess- hyperactivity, “going in circles”, selfishness, potential feelings of rejection
Examples- Lemon, cheese, fermented foods, vinegar, alcohol, yogurt
Salty (Lavana)- mildly heating (water and fire)
Balances Vata
Might aggravate Kapha and Pitta
Associated Positive emotions- Enthusiasm, “getting into action”, courage,
When in excess- potential addictive behaviors, irritability.
Examples-Seaweed, cottage cheese, tuna, celery
Pungent, Spicy (Katu)- suuuper heating (Fire and Air )
Balances Kapha
Might aggravate Pitta and Vata
Associated Positive emotions- Enthusiasm, vitality, curiosity, “super-engagement”, feelings of being “fired up” and focused.
In excess- anger, rage, envy (now you see the relationship with the negative aspects of Pitta?)
Examples- garlic, ginger, onions, cardamon, raw spinach, mustard
Bitter (Tikta)- Suuper cooling (Air and space or ether)
Balances- Pitta and Kapha
Might aggravate: Vata
Associated Positive Emotions- Introspection, self-knowledge
In excess- Isolation, loneliness, “bitterness”, cynicism
Examples- coffee, dandelion greens, turmeric, collard greens, brussels sprouts, eggplant, burdock root, cacao
Astringent (Kashaya)- Mildly cooling (Air and Earth)
Balances- Pitta and Kapha
Might Aggravate Vata
Associated Positive Emotions- Feeling of stability, being grounded
In excess: Fear, anxiousness, nervousness, sadness, resentment
Examples- white meats, beans, broccoli, raw vegetables, turmeric, coriander, nutmeg, apples, cranberries, green bananas, pomegranate, parsley
Now that you know the basics, get hold of your seasonal food choices and head on to the kitchen to put a smile on your plate and face! Bon appetit!
Sources: https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/ayurvedic-living/living-ayurveda/diet/six-tastes/