How to Balance the Doshas - Nutrition

Each dosha has certain foods that do better in their system. Food that will properly breakdown and build up the tissues because it has the same qualities. Like attract like. Then again, opposites do attract. But that's exactly it, when you are out of balance you crave the things that keep you out of balance because it is easy and enjoyable - until it isn't.

It's like the Kapha eating all of the deserts - how happy would they be! Mmmm...but over a few months, when the weight creeps up,  the mind gets depressed. It was fun when it tasted good, but now that it's attached itself to your body...not so nice.

Let's learn what foods to eat to keep you Totally Balanced!

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Vata

  • Eat at regular times each day
  • Enjoy your meals in a relaxed atmosphere that is not hurried
  • Drink mostly hot beverages

What To Do

  • Have sweet tastes in the form of carbohydrates
  • Eat lots of soups and sauces 
  • The oiliness from dairy products such as ghee or vegetable oils is good
  • Salty and sweet are good for Vata

What To Avoid

  • Raw, cold and dry food and drinks
  • Fasting for more than 16 hours
  • Irregular meals
  • Eating on the go
  • Eating while under stress

How Much of Each

  • 55% Grains
    • Wheat, White Rice, Spelt, Quinoa, Cooked Oats, Yeast-Free Bread
  • 20% Vegetales
    • Carrots, Squash, Okra, Parsnips, Beets, Spinach, Asparagus, Sweet Potatoes, Zucchini, Cucumber, Sweet Peas, 
  • 15% Fats, Dairy Products, Nuts, Seeds
    • Ghee, All Cooking Oils (except Coconut Oil), Salted Butter, Mozzarella, Sour Cream, Fresh Cheese, Almonds, Walnuts, Hazelnuts, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Sesame Seeds
  • 10% Legumes
    • Mung beans, Kidney beans, Soy Milk
  • Meat- if you eat it! Add it where you see fit
    • Beef, Buffalo, Dark Chicken, Duck, Eggs, Fish- Fresh & Sea, Salmon, Seafood

Pitta

  • Eat in a friendly atmosphere
  • Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables
  • Eat 3 meals (biggest at lunch) a day with an afternoon snack of sweet fruit

What To Do

  • Have fresh Herbs that are bitter and cooling such as cilantro and mint
  • Use ghee in your daily life
  • Green cardamom, rose water and coconut milk as they are cooling

What To Avoid

  • Hot & Oily such as fried foods
  • Salty & Sour tastes
  • Eating in a hurry
  • Having heated conversations during a meal 
  • Skipping too many meals

How Much of Each

  • 50% Grains
    • Whole Grains, Amaranth, Basmati Rice, Spelt, Barley, Oats, Quinoa, Wheat Bran, Corn (in moderation)
  • 25% Vegetales
    • Eggplant, Artichokes, Green Leafy Vegetables, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Cucumber, Kohlrabi, Cabbage, Peas, Carrots, Potatoes, Squash, Okra, Parsnips, Beets, Salad, Asparagus, Sweet Potatoes
  • 15% Legumes
    • Chickpeas, Lentils, Soy Products, Mung Beans, Kidney Beans, Aduki Beans
  • 10% Fats, Dairy Products, Nuts, Seeds
    • Ghee, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Canola, Unsalted Butter, Fresh Cheese, Unsalted Soft Goat Cheese, Coconut, Almonds, Sunflower seeds, Coconut Milk, Almond Milk
  • Meat- if you eat it! Add it where you see fit in moderation
    • White Chicken, Buffalo, Egg Whites,  Freshwater Fish, Rabbit

Kapha

  • Eat 2 meals a day (biggest at lunch and skip breakfast)
  • Fasting is encouraged
  • Drink hot beverages

What To Do

  • Eat plenty of vegetables
  • Have more legumes
  • Use spices such as ginger, pepper, chili flakes or a spicy chutney
  • Enjoy dry foods

What To Avoid

  • All heavy, cold and oily food and drinks
  • Minimize the sweet treats
  • Avoid overeating and snacking especially late at night
  • It’s best to eat with the company of others and enjoy the conversation

How Much of Each

  • 45% Grains
    • Millet, Corn, Buckwheat, Brown Rice, Rye, Whole Wheat, Amaranth, Barley, Quinoa, Corn Cakes, Cereal Flakes, Popcorn, Bran
  • 30% Vegetales
    • Artichoke, Eggplant, Squash, Okra, Parsnips, Beets, Spinach, Asparagus, Potatoes, Green Leafy Vegetables, Kale, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Leek, Bell Peppers, Radish, Peas,  
  • 15% Legumes
    • Peas, Chickpeas, Lentils, Mung Beans, Kidney Beans
  • 10% Fats, Dairy Products, Nuts, Seeds
    • Olive Oil, Canola Oil, Mustard Oil, Buttermilk, Cottage Cheese, Unsalted Goat Cheese, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds
  • Meat- if you eat it! Add it where you see fit in moderation
    • White Chicken, Eggs, Freshwater Fish, Rabbit, Shrimp, White Turkey, Venison