Suitable foods for your Dosha
According to Ayurveda, there are six main flavours
in nature: sweet, sour, salty, spicy, bitter and astringent. These tastes come
from the five basic elements that make up everything in the universe:
- Water
and earth form the sweet taste.
- Earth
and fire – sour taste.
- Water
and fire – salty taste.
- Fire
and air – the spicy taste.
- Air and
space – bitter.
- Air and
land – astringent.
The sense of taste not only affects digestion, but
has a direct effect on doshas. A basic principle in Ayurveda is that like
increases like.
For example, the sweetness derived from the
elements water and earth increases Kapha dosha, which is a manifestation of the
same elements, and decreases vata and pitta. Foods such as bread, rice, milk,
sugar, most fruits are sweet. They are necessary for any body type, but their
excessive use increases Kapha and leads to obesity, increased mucus secretion
in the nose and paranasal sinuses, sputum formation in the bronchial tree,
causes a feeling of heaviness, laziness, is considered a cause of developing diabetes.
Acidic Foods
Sour comes from the elements fire and earth. Acidic
foods are most beneficial for Vata. Small amounts can be used from Kapha and
very small from Pitta. These are citrus fruits, yogurt, vinegar, cheese, all
foods that are the product of fermentation. Used in moderation, they stimulate
appetite and salivation, improve digestion, and invigorate the mind. Excessive
use cause thirst, heartburn, disorder, can contribute to the development of
various diseases.
Salty Foods
Salty foods are used in small amounts of all types,
but are most useful for Vatta and increase Pitta and Kapha. Salty foods are sea
salt, rock salt, kelp. Salt has a laxative effect, reduces spasms in the colon,
maintains electrolyte balance, stimulates salivation, and improves the taste of
food, aids digestion and excretory processes. Excessive salt intake can upset
the balance of Pitta and Kapha. Causes hypertension, worsening of heart
disease, skin diseases, and early appearance of wrinkles.
Spicy Foods
Spicy is most useful for Kapha. It can be used in
small amounts from Vata and quite sparingly from Pitta. Many types of peppers,
onions, radishes, garlic, mustard, ginger are spicy. They improve digestion,
clean the sinuses, stimulate nasal and tear secretion. Excessive use can lead
to burning and thirst, ulcers, skin diseases, diarrhea, insomnia.
Bitter Foods
Bitter is good for everyone in small amounts, but
it is best for Pitta. Coffee, aloe, turmeric, lettuce are bitter. It improves
the taste of food in combination with other flavors and is considered
antitoxic. It cleanses the body and liver of toxins and relieves the feeling of
burning and itching in skin diseases, reduces the temperature in febrile
conditions, improves digestion. Bitter foods have a drying effect and causes a
reduction in body fat. Excessive use is not recommended. It causes dry and
rough skin, weight loss and sexual disorders.
Astringent Foods
The astringent should be used in pharmaceutical
quantities. Each dosha can use it in minimal quantities, but Pitta and Kapha –
a little more than Vata. Pomegranate, beans, okra, cherries, tannin-rich foods
are astringent. Astringent has a tightening effect, reduces secretions, helps
heal wounds and reduces bleeding. Excessive use can cause dryness in the throat
and mouth, constipation, gas, weight loss.
What foods people
with Vata constitution should avoid?
People with Vata constitution should avoid bitter,
spicy and astringent foods. Sweet, salty and sour foods are recommended for
them. Light, dry and cold foods are not suitable. It is good that everything is
cooked, warm, with enough fat, because Vata dosha is light, dry and lean.
What foods people
with Pitta constitution should avoid?
People with Pitta constitution should avoid sour,
salty and spicy foods, like citrus fruits and pickles. Favorable for them are
sweet, bitter and astringent foods, which should not be warm and cooked with a
moderate amount of sunflower oil or melted butter.
What type of foods
people with Kapha constitution should avoid?
People with Kapha constitution should avoid sweet,
sour and salty. Good for them are bitter, spicy and astringent foods. They
should be warm, with very little fat, mainly corn or sunflower oil.
These are general principles that should not be
taken for granted. People should take food all six tastes, but in different
proportions, according to one’s predominant dosha. In order to achieve a
feeling of satiety, it is necessary for all six tastes to be present in one
meal. This diversity is achieved by adding different spices to the food, rather
than taking many products in one meal.
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