Ayurvedic Diet

Ayurveda, based upon the universal natural law of balancing the five elements (ether, air, fire, water and earth) that make up the physical body. When one or more of these elements go out of balance because of improper diet and life style, various diseases and mental disturbances can manifest. Ayurveda explains that these five elements are kept intact in the body by three subtle forces called doshas. The key to maintaining physical and mental health is in keeping these elements and doshas in harmonic balance through proper diet, herbs and life style, otherwise early aging and various diseases can manifest.

The three doshas are called Vata (sattva), Pitta (raga) and Kapha (tama). These three doshas can even be traced back to the very beginning of creation as representing the three Gods in Vedic wisdom Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma. Vata is the underlying subtle force ruling over ether and air, Pitta rules fire and Kapha is responsible for keeping the water and earth elements in balance. One or more of these doshas or elements will predominate in every individual living entity creating seven possible body types. By knowing which type you are by symptoms the proper diet and herbal treatment can be established for you.

Personally I felt this diet encourages you to eat 6 various tastes of food, such as: bitter, sweet, sour, salty, pungent, and astringent.  This allows for some tasty dishes.  Many Ayurvedic practitioners don’t maintain that you have to follow their diet strictly, but rather gear your diet in the direction of your Dosha type.  I didn’t stay on this diet very long as I found it such an adjustment, especially with the high amounts of dairy and ghee (clarified butter), I found it somewhat counterintuitive, considering the higher amounts of saturated fats and cholesterol.

It does stress really more of a vegetarian style of eating, so this aspect could certainly be healthy.  Also, it stressed smaller breakfasts, larger meals, and very small suppers.  My body just didn’t seem geared this way.  Again, I felt this a little counterintuitive, as I felt a good solid breakfast and supper would be important and that meals shouldn’t be skipped.  Overall, I didn’t stay on the diet very long and it was definitely not my favourite