Ayurvedic nutrition for women - how to live in harmony with your own body? Proper nutrition according to Ayurveda.

Ayurveda says that the vast majority of our health problems are caused by food waste that accumulates in the body due to malnutrition.

Ayurveda is an ancient teaching that originated in the Vedic culture of India about five thousand years ago. Translated from Sanskrit, Ayurveda means "knowledge of life" ("Ayur" - "life", "Veda" - "knowledge", "science"). And, indeed, it is not just a science of health, but a science of life itself. Ayurveda is an ancient medicine that considers the person as a whole, and not a single disease. The ancient doctors of Ayurveda knew very well the structure of the human body and all its systems. They have developed many tips for proper nutrition in accordance with the human constitution.

Nutrition is the main factor influencing human body. Ayurveda persistently and quite reasonably says that malnutrition is the cause of many human diseases. According to the concept of Ayurveda, food has positive and negative qualities. Since Ayurveda is characterized by a holistic approach to the problem of health, it primarily pays attention to nutrition, since no medicine will work without an appropriate diet. She says that our health does not depend on doctors and the drugs they prescribe, but only on ourselves, because throughout our lives we take food three times a day, which can be both beneficial and harmful to our body.

Ayurveda says that the vast majority of our health problems are caused by food waste - poisons, toxins and slags that accumulate in the body due to malnutrition. Diet, as well as daily routine, are decisive factors for maintaining health. But, it is worth noting that there is no universal way of eating for all people.

According to Ayurveda, each dish consists of doshas and five primary elements in various proportions: earth, fire, air, water and ether (space). Doshas - special characteristics that maintain balance - must be in the body in certain proportions, which, in turn, leads to a harmonious interaction of the three gunas. Sattva elevates the mind, rajas makes us more active, and tamas satisfies needs. A healthy diet helps to maintain the balance of these three qualities of life (gunas), and neglect or inattention to food leads to disharmony and disease.

Doshas are present everywhere and are associated with the natural elements. We are born with a predisposition to a certain character, physique, attitude to the world. All this is related to the dominant dosha in us. If the dosha is out of balance, we feel bad, we lose capacity at the level of the body and thoughts, and our efficiency decreases. What is good for one is poison for another, but knowing the basic principles of Ayurveda, we can regulate our condition. Eating a variety of foods affects the balance of the elements in different ways. Among the benefits of a personalized diet, it is worth mentioning improved digestion, metabolism, assimilation, memory concentration and elimination of sleep disorders, a stronger immune system, a stable weight, and improved overall health.

The type of nutrition directly depends on the type of human constitution. In different doshas, different types of foods are encouraged and avoided.

There are three main doshas: vata, pitta and kapha.

Each has its own characteristics. As a rule, everyone has one of the doshas most pronounced, but there are cases when two doshas have similar indicators, then you have a mixed type and you can use the nutritional recommendations for the two doshas. To determine your type, it is enough to read any book on Ayurveda - most of them contain special questionnaires-tests with recommendations on lifestyle.

Watt (wind)

Representatives of this type, as a rule, have a thin, thin-boned physique. They think, speak and move quickly, grasp everything on the fly, but also quickly forget. Outwardly, they can be identified by dry, often curly hair, dry thin skin that is easily injured, thin nails and eyelashes. Watta does not tolerate cold, cool food and drinks with ice. It's hard for her to warm up. Vata-dominant people have a fast metabolism, where fat is burned faster than fat is stored. According to Ayurveda, Vata's diet should consist of buckwheat, rice, dairy products, and nuts. But it is better to refuse raw vegetables, soy products, sour apples and the use of black pepper in cooking. From spices it is better to give preference to cardamom and nutmeg.

Pitta (fire)

People of this type are distinguished by a normosthenic physique. They are explosive in nature. Such people are easily angry, often blush, prone to inflammatory reactions. They have a very intense digestion. Outwardly, these are the owners of thin blond or red hair. Often their body is almost strewn with moles. The skin is pink, prone to redness and overheating. Pitta does not feel well in hot weather, sweats profusely and often feels hot, her hands and feet are always hot. Poorly tolerates thirst, and the hunger of her day is just torment. For people of this type, legumes, celery, asparagus, cauliflower, dairy products are very useful. As spices, it is better to use coriander, cinnamon, mint, dill. It is necessary to exclude red meat, nuts, ginger and saffron from the diet.

Kapha (mucus)

Metabolic processes in the body of people of this type are so slow that even an extra apple eaten can be deposited in the form of fat. People of this type need a very balanced diet, paying special attention to soy cheese, legumes, brown rice. From spices it is better to use ginger. Kapha is very undesirable to use any sweets, the exception may be a small amount of honey. It is recommended to limit the consumption of white rice, beef and chicken.

When the doshas are balanced, that is, in a state of balance, then everything is in order with our health. The great Ayurvedic sage Charaka said: “Vata, pitta and kapha maintain the integrity of the living human body in its normal state and combine with each other in such a way as to make a person a whole being with his powerful senses, good complexion and undoubted longevity.” Disease occurs only when there is an imbalance of the three doshas. And since it is the strongest dosha that usually has the greatest tendency to increase, a person is most susceptible to diseases associated with an increase in his strongest dosha.

It is important to understand that these three doshas are forces and not substances. Kapha is not mucus; it is the force that causes the mucus to come into being. Similarly, pitta is not bile; but it is she who causes the production of bile. The word "dosha" literally means "error" or "out of order" because the doshas indicate those wrong directions that can lead the system to lose balance.

Ayurveda says that a person's health directly depends on the imbalance of his doshas, on the type of digestion, and also on the amount of food taken. Each person has his own standard of quality and volume of food that his body can completely process. For example, Kapha type people have weak digestion, so the result of frequent and profuse gluttony is excess Kapha weight. Two meals a day are quite enough for people of this type - only breakfast and lunch, it is better to skip dinner. Pitta dosha, on the contrary, has a strong digestion, which allows people of this type to absorb a large amount of any, even very heavy food. The digestive fire of Pitta is so strong that everything is processed quickly and completely without the formation of toxins. Vata dosha has unstable digestion, therefore it requires increased attention to your body and to the processes occurring in it.

The rules of Ayurveda recommend sticking to a diet that balances the predominant dosha. For example, Vata doshas should follow a diet that pacifies Vata. This also applies to Vata-Pitta types, although they can use Pitta nourishment when needed, such as during hot weather or when it flares up. When in doubt which of the two doshas needs to be pacified, try to instinctively understand which food makes you healthy and balanced. The rarest representatives of the type of three doshas can follow any Ayurvedic diet, only taking into account the state of health, the season of the year and relying on instinct.

Note: Following the above tips can reduce the influence of any dosha, but such actions can lead to unexpected consequences. The fact is that the dosha that prevails in a person from birth is also responsible for his individual constitution. Trying to change this natural state means contradicting Nature, trying to crush it under you. By making another dosha come to the fore, a person often begins to feel worse, health problems appear.

Supporters of Ayurveda know that you should not try to change something, you should strive to maintain your individual balance. This is the main goal. Of the three doshas, vata-pitta-kapha, one must definitely prevail a little, it becomes the main dosha. It is worth taking corrective measures only if any dosha is presented in an overwhelming excess, and the proportions of other doshas are violated. In this case, there are problems with physical health or mental balance. It is very difficult to find out on your own which dosha takes up too much space in the body, so it is better to contact a specialist in the field of Ayurveda.

General principles of nutrition according to Ayurveda

The main meal should be at noon (12:00 local time);
You need to eat only while sitting;
You should eat in a calm, quiet atmosphere, while not watching TV, not reading, not being distracted;
Do not eat in an increased emotional state (excitation, anger, anxiety, sadness), you must wait until the mind calms down;
After eating, you do not need to get up from the table for at least 5 minutes;
You should not eat again until the previous food has been digested (the break should be at least 3 hours);
It is better not to eat after sunset;
Eat only when you feel hungry;
Eat slowly, chew food thoroughly;
You should eat 3/4 of your capabilities;
Do not eat too cold and too hot food;
One should eat only fresh food, freshly cooked or, in extreme cases, cooked today;
It is not recommended to drink a lot of liquid during meals, especially cold ones;
You can not use milk with other products, especially with those that have a sour or salty taste - you can drink it only boiled and hot (possible with sugar), preferably with spices (with pepper, cardamom);
It is necessary to use spices for better digestion and assimilation of food;
Do not eat industrial cheese (due to rennet), yogurt (due to gelatin), ice cream or cold milk;
Nutrition should be adjusted to the individual characteristics of human physiology, with the current season of the year, with the weather;
You can’t eat food with sour and salty tastes before going to bed (you don’t even need to drink kefir);
It is not recommended to eat a lot of fried, sour and salty;
You need to do physical exercises, best of all yoga asanas.

Food Compatibility

Avoid milk or dairy products with acidic fruits or citrus fruits or other acidic foods;
Avoid eating melons and grains together. Melons digest quickly, while cereals take a long time. This combination upsets the stomach. Melons should be eaten alone, without other foods;
Honey should never be cooked (heated). Honey is digested very slowly, and if it is cooked (heated), the molecules present in honey become a glue that adheres strongly to the mucous membranes and clogs the fine channels of the cells, creating toxins. Unprepared honey is nectar, cooked (heated) honey is poison;
Do not consume milk along with other protein products. Proteins have a warming quality and milk has a cooling quality, so they counteract each other and create toxins;
Milk and melon should not be eaten together. They are both cooling, but milk is a laxative and melon is a diuretic, and milk takes longer to digest. In addition, the action of hydrochloric acid in the stomach causes the milk to curdle. For this reason, Ayurveda advises against drinking milk with sour fruits, yogurt, sour cream or sour cream, sour jam, cheese or other acidic foods.

Ayurvedic nutritional secrets

For better absorption of food and to improve the taste of the food itself, sprinkle your dishes with lemon juice before eating. Such a move will turn your dishes from ordinary and familiar to very fresh and tasty. But, this can only be done at lunchtime, because. eating a lot of sour taste in the morning or evening will cause indigestion.

In order not to freeze in winter, eat sauerkraut and pickles for lunch. Their sour taste in our body gives warmth when digested.

For frying, it is better to use corn oil, because. it tolerates high temperatures longer and better than other oils without decomposing. In second place is sunflower oil, it breaks down faster when heated than corn oil. But olive and linseed oils do not tolerate heat at all, because. decompose and form harmful substances during frying. The king of oils is ghee, it perfectly tolerates even repeated heating and has a very beneficial effect on our body and digestion in particular.

If you want your dishes to contain more blissful qualities and give you more good emotions - add a small amount of cane sugar to each dish in the middle of cooking (even in salty dishes) and a little bit of whole cow's milk (if the dish itself does not contain dairy products). ). And tomato dishes always require the addition of sugar, because. Sugar improves the taste of tomatoes, softens their internal fire and generally improves their digestion.

The best and healthiest food is the one that was cooked no later than 3 hours ago. This food is blissful and best nourishes the body. Food that was cooked more than 3 hours ago already has an admixture of ignorance and is unable to heal the body. If you eat only food that has stood overnight (even in the refrigerator), then health problems will never leave you, because such food is already decomposing, although we will not notice it, and when heated, its decomposition mechanism accelerates and at the same time the oils contained in it, when destroyed from repeated heat treatment, they can turn into toxins.

Canned food does not contain anything good from the original product, i.e. only an empty shell with a faint taste remains, and what nourishes our mind and body - prana - is no longer there. Plus, preservatives are always toxins for our body. Frozen food is also not valuable for us, it accelerates the aging process in our body.

In our morning food, a sweet taste should prevail, in the evening (if someone eats in the evening) - a neutral taste (i.e. those foods that contain a lot of water, hence the taste will be neutral), but at lunch everything should be present in food 6 tastes - sweet, sour, salty, bitter, spicy, tart. When there are 6 tastes in food, it completely saturates the body and mind.

In order to enrich our ordinary food with different flavors and improve its digestion, it is necessary to use spices, BUT!, in small doses and only those that suit you, and only with those foods with which they are combined.

It is better not to eat foods that are incompatible with each other at one meal, for example, eat bread, potatoes, rice and oats together, or mix boiled or fresh vegetables with fresh fruits, or mix milk with something else, or sour fruits with sweet ones.

The cook who prepares food must be calm and peaceful, otherwise all his worries or irritations with anger will be in the food he makes, because the food being prepared absorbs the mood and thoughts of the manufacturer. On the same occasion, it is better not to eat in dubious places, when you do not know who cooked food and how. The same applies to the purchase of ready-made food products in stores. All bakery products and pastries absorb the emotions of the cook especially strongly.

Food should also be taken in a calm state and good mood, in a pleasant company and in a clean place, this contributes to its absorption. Otherwise, everything that was eaten in anxiety will bring suffering and new anxiety. It is very important to chew your food well.

The healthiest food - freshly cooked, juicy, sweet, oily, delicious, warm - it gives strength and health. Food that is too hot, too sour, too spicy, too salty, overcooked, dry and old - brings pain and disease to the body and mind.

It is very important for health to eat only when you feel true hunger, and not from “greedy eyes”. And the amount of food eaten at a time should not exceed the volume of your two palms, folded together.

It is necessary to eat moderately, without overeating, always leaving in the stomach 1/4 part free for air, without which the fire of digestion will not burn, and 2/4 parts can be filled with food and 1/4 with liquid.

In order to remove from food all the desecrations that it received while it came to your table, you need to read over it the prayers of any religion that you respect and thank God for everything.

When shopping for food, choose only ripe, juicy fruits or vegetables, fresh dairy products, and grains. Never skimp on food, because it is an investment in your health for years to come.

Do not drink cold drinks during meals and do not eat cold food, because. this greatly weakens the fire of digestion.

Do not eat late (after sunset or early in the morning before sunrise), do not eat during extreme heat or sitting directly under the rays of the hot midday Sun.

Be sure to eat sitting either on the floor or in a comfortable position at the table with a straight back, after eating, sit quietly for another 5 minutes, otherwise too vigorous activity immediately after eating will disrupt digestion.

It is better to drink before meals or during meals (warm or hot drink), but a small amount, and after eating you have to wait 1.5-2 hours until the active phase of digestion is going on, and then you can drink, otherwise you can put out the fire of digestion.

When choosing food, one must take into account the season and weather, because. our digestive fire depends on it. Those. do not eat abundantly fruits or berries not in the season of their ripening in the area where you live, because. they are hard to digest by the body, which is tuned to a different rhythm, corresponding to the present time of the year. Also, in hot weather or during the rainy season, when our digestive fire is reduced, it is not necessary to eat starchy and dairy products in large quantities, because. they won't digest.

The diet should be selected for each person individually, depending on his constitution, existing diseases, occupation, place of residence and other factors. published

Ayurvedic nutrition is based on Ayurveda, the oldest Indian healing system. Ayurvedic nutrition provides not only a certain choice of products and their combination, but also the time of eating, the climate, the season, the type of digestion of a given person ...

In this article, I do not aim to acquaint readers with all the rules and subtleties of Ayurvedic nutrition, since this is too big a topic. But I think it will be interesting for everyone who is interested in proper nutrition to get a general idea of the principles of Ayurvedic nutrition.

The Ayurvedic nutritional system is quite complex and requires a lot of time and attention to understand and apply. At the same time, some principles of Ayurvedic nutrition are quite simple and understandable and can be easily used in any type of nutrition.

Not being a specialist in Ayurvedic nutrition, I still could not resist commenting on some points from the point of view of modern science and common sense.

AYURVEDIC NUTRITION

Food in Ayurvedic nutrition is divided according to several criteria:

Ayurvedic nutrition - division into light and heavy food.

Followers of Ayurveda include rice and lamb as light, and milk, beans, wheat, raw vegetables and fruits, canned food, beef and pork as heavy. This division does not say anything about the ease or severity of digestion of foods - it is fresh fruits that are digested easier and faster than all other foods. Therefore, the Ayurvedic division into light and heavy foods should not be taken literally.

Meat- the heaviest food. It takes longer to digest than all other foods. At the same time, only once in the body, the meat begins to rot. In the absence of serious physical activity, meat leads to an increase in adipose tissue, not muscle. The modern food industry has made its own adjustments: now meat contains hormones, antibiotics, preservatives, flavor enhancers and flavors and other harmful food additives ...

Legumes- are also considered heavy food and contribute to gas formation. This does not mean that legumes should be abandoned! It just has to be taken into account.

Nuts and seeds- lighter food, good source of proteins.

Milk- according to Ayurveda, it is a good food for people leading an active lifestyle, and contributes to spiritual perfection. But in ancient (and in modern) India, a cow was treated and treated as a sacred animal - no one takes away calves from cows, does not stuff hormones and antibiotics, achieving record milk yields and sending a 5-year-old cow to the slaughterhouse as soon as exhausted animal, milk yields decrease (in nature, cows live for more than 20 years). Accordingly, the energy of milk in India is significantly different from the energy (and composition) of Western milk. Store-bought milk can in no way contribute to spiritual development - rather the opposite. This is exactly the case when the principles of Ayurveda cannot be applied in the West. Read more about the benefits and dangers of milk...

Honey- is considered a cleansing food (helps cleanse the body of toxins) and a medicine (good for the heart and eyes).

According to Ayurveda, different combinations of foods, the addition of certain spices and heat treatment, can make foods lighter or heavier.

Ayurvedic nutrition - division into 6 tastes.

In Ayurveda, there are six tastes: sweet, salty, sour, pungent, bitter, astringent. I give the definition of tastes in Ayurveda without any comments - you can believe it, you can not believe it, I have no opinion on this issue.

Meals, at least lunch, should include all 6 Ayurvedic flavors.

sweet taste it is necessary in a significant amount, since it is one of the main components of food, increases vitality, builds and strengthens all tissues of the body, causes a feeling of satisfaction, softens and soothes mucous membranes, has an expectorant and laxative effect. Excess consumption of sweet-tasting foods is harmful to the spleen and pancreas, causes colds, congestion in the body, loss of appetite, obesity, tumors, and edema.

Emotionally, according to Ayurveda, sweet taste corresponds to love, affection.

salty taste has a strong effect, so it should be consumed in small quantities. It has a softening, laxative and sedative effect. In small doses it stimulates digestion, in moderate doses it acts as a laxative, in large doses it causes vomiting. Essential for maintaining mineral balance and water retention in the body. Excess salt has a negative effect on the kidneys, increases blood pressure, worsens the condition of the skin. With excessive consumption of salt, premature wrinkles, fainting, sensations of heat, and baldness may appear.

In the emotional realm, salty taste corresponds to greed.

Sour taste needed in limited quantities. It works refreshing. Sour-tasting foods excite the appetite, improve digestion, energize the body, nourish the heart, and enlighten the mind. Sour taste has a stimulating, carminative effect, relieves thirst. Excess acid is unfavorable for the liver and teeth. Too much intake of sour-tasting foods leads to increased thirst, heartburn, and ulcers.

Emotionally sour taste according to Ayurveda corresponds to envy.

spicy taste needed to maintain metabolism and increase appetite. It has a stimulating, carminative and diaphoretic effect. Promotes digestion, improves metabolism, causes heat. Pungent taste destroys blood clots, helps to excrete waste products, and kills microbes. An excess of spicy taste dries and spoils the lungs, has a detrimental effect on spermatozoa and eggs, leading to impotence, causes suffocation, fatigue. A sharp taste can cause diarrhea, nausea, heartburn, muscle pain.

Emotionally sharp taste corresponds to hatred.

bitter taste required by the body in small doses. It improves metabolism, cleanses the blood, eliminates burning and itching. The bitter taste relieves the temperature during fever, strengthens the skin and muscles. Helps increase mental clarity. Excess can harm the heart, cause dizziness or unconsciousness.

Emotionally bitter taste in Ayurveda means sorrow.

Astringent taste needed in moderation to strengthen tissues. It absorbs moisture and causes dry mouth, stops bleeding. Excess astringent taste badly affects the functions of the colon, can cause constipation, speech difficulties, heart spasms, deplete the ability to form sperm, reduce sexual desire.

It corresponds to the emotion of fear.

Compatibility of products in Ayurvedic nutrition.

If two products, opposite in their effect, are consumed together, then this can lead to negative consequences: the digestion process will slow down and the food will remain in the stomach for a long time, which will cause putrefaction. It is not recommended to use incompatible products, but if this cannot be avoided due to any culinary traditions, then the negative impact can be reduced by adding spices.

Raw and cooked food should not be combined in one meal, and it is also better not to mix cold and hot, spicy and sweet food. Fried foods should be eaten as little as possible. In Ayurvedic diet, fried food impairs eyesight.

Here are some principles of food compatibility in Ayurvedic nutrition:

Avoid consuming milk or dairy products with acidic fruits or citrus fruits or other acidic foods.
Avoid eating potatoes1 or other starchy foods. Starch takes a long time to digest; and often potatoes1 or other starchy foods are not digested properly, creating Ama (toxins).
Avoid eating melons and grains together. Melons digest quickly, while cereals take a long time. This combination upsets the stomach. Melons should be eaten alone, without other foods.
Honey should never be cooked (heated). Honey is digested very slowly, and if it is cooked (heated), the molecules present in honey become non-homogenized glue that adheres to mucous membranes and clogs the fine channels of cells, creating toxins. Unheated honey is nectar, cooked (heated) honey is poison.
Do not consume milk along with other protein products. Proteins have a warming quality and milk has a cooling quality, so they counteract each other, disrupt Agni (digestive fire) and create Ama (toxins).
Milk and melon should not be eaten together. They are both cooling, but milk is a laxative and melon is a diuretic, and milk takes longer to digest. In addition, the action of hydrochloric acid in the stomach causes the milk to curdle. For this reason, Ayurveda advises against drinking milk with sour fruits, yogurt, sour cream or sour cream, sour jam, cheese or other acidic foods.

Attention to the compatibility of products in Ayurvedic nutrition is reminiscent of a separate food system. It should be noted that the system of separate nutrition is many times simpler than the system of Ayurvedic nutrition. Which, of course, does not make it better, but still a significant advantage! If nutrition takes too much time and attention, then other areas of life will inevitably suffer. Remember what Ostap Bender said - "Do not make a cult out of food!" :)

Periods of activity in Ayurvedic nutrition.

In ancient times, it was noticed that three periods of 4 hours each are successively replaced during the day. The first period - rest (in Hindu "kapha"), the second - energy activity ("pitta"), the third - physical activity ("vata"). These periods are associated with solar activity.

The Kapha period lasts from 6 am to 10 am (begins at sunrise). A person physiologically feels peace and heaviness of the body.
The Pitta period runs from 10 am to 2 pm, when the sun moves to the zenith and passes it. At this time, a person feels hunger, the "fire of digestion" burns in him.
The Vata period lasts from 14:00 to 18:00. The sun heated the earth, heated the air, everything began to move - trees, water, air. This is the period of motor activity and the greatest working capacity (not only physical, but also mental).
Then comes the repetition: from 8 to 22 o'clock - "kapha", from 22 to 2 o'clock in the morning - "pitta", from 2 am to 6 o'clock in the morning - "vata". It is in this rhythm, as ancient Indian scientists believed, that the flora and fauna of the Earth lives - the whole world of plants and animals.

Diet in Ayurvedic nutrition.

The diet in the Ayurvedic diet is associated with periods of activity.

You need to get up during the period of “vata” (physical activity), that is, a little earlier than 6 o’clock in the morning local time. Getting up, drink a glass of warm (not hot!) Water. "Vata" enhances the work of the intestines and promotes the evacuation of the contents of the large intestine.

When there is a slight hunger, you can eat some fruit.

During the Pitta period (especially from 12 to 14 hours), when food is best absorbed, you should have a hearty lunch.

According to the Ayurvedic nutrition system, it should be a starchy food with vegetables, which gives the maximum amount of energy. Then you need to sit and breathe through the right nostril - this will increase the "digestive fire" even more, then go for a walk for 5-10 minutes. As you can see, Ayurvedic nutrition is not limited to nutrition "as such".

During the period of the end of "vata" - the beginning of "kapha" (from 18 to 20 hours, before sunset), a light dinner. It is recommended to eat some protein food.

Ayurvedic nutrition - 12 rules.

As I said, the Ayurvedic nutrition system affects not only nutrition as such, but also various related issues.

Ayurveda is the science of life, the oldest system of healing in India, written evidence of which is more than 5000 years old. One of the main tasks of Ayurveda is to give a person an understanding of how to cooperate with Nature and live in harmony.

Five Great Elements, of which everything consists - Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth in Ayurveda are manifested in the form of three biological principles (three Doshas), which control all processes in the body, including pathological ones.

According to Ayurveda, there are 3 main types of human constitution (Doshi):
1. Vata (air, ether)
2. Pitta (fire, bile)
3. Kapha (water, earth)

Doshas- this is what brings the energy of the body out of balance. It cannot be said that one dosha is better than another. All of them act differently, but not interchangeably, in the body. Only an unnatural decrease or increase in the natural number of Doshas causes painful phenomena. Dosha- not the disease itself, but it can lead to the disease, it can be called a damaging factor.

The task of Ayurveda is to bring the body into natural balance, and the body itself will begin to fight diseases. This happens when changing the diet in accordance with a specific constitution and changing lifestyle.

Dosha Test

Count the number of points for each Dosha. If there is only one Dosha in the advantage, then it is your leader. If the scores are approximately equal in two, then two Doshas predominate. If all three are the same, then you are a lucky person!

Points:
0 - this does not apply to me.
1 - sometimes this applies to me.
2 - this applies to me completely.

1. I get to work very quickly.

2. I have difficulty remembering and recalling information.

3. By nature, I am a dynamic and lively person.

4. I have a weak build and I have difficulty gaining weight.

5. I always learn new things quickly.

6. My gait is generally light and close to fast.

7. I have difficulty making decisions.

8. I often have gas and constipation.

9. My hands and feet often get cold.

10. I am often worried and anxious.

11. I, like most people, can not stand bad cool windy weather.

12. I talk fast and my friends think I'm talkative.

13. My mood often changes and I am emotional by nature.

14. I often fall asleep with difficulty and do not sleep soundly.

15. I have very dry skin, especially in winter.

16. I have a very active, sometimes tireless mind and a rich imagination.

17. I move quickly and actively, I often feel a surge of energy.

18. I get excited easily.

19. If I live alone, my food and sleep are erratic.

20. I remember quickly and forget quickly.

1. I consider myself very energetic (either all or nothing)

2. In my work, I try to be extremely precise and accurate.

3. I am cool-headed and strong-willed.

4. In the heat, I feel uncomfortable, I get tired quickly, more than the rest.

5. I sweat quickly.

6. I quickly become irritated and angry, but I don't always show it.

7. If I skip food or put it off, I feel uncomfortable.

8. About my hair you can say:

- early gray hair or baldness (if “Yes”, then give yourself 2 points);

- thin, shiny, straight (if "Yes", then give yourself 2 points);

- red, light or straw-colored (if "Yes", then put yourself 2 points).

9. I have a strong appetite, I can eat a lot if I wish.

10. Many consider me stubborn.

11. I have regular stools, loose stools are more typical for me than constipation.

12. I quickly lose patience.

13. I love solidity and tend to be pedantic.

14. I get angry quickly, but I'm also easygoing.

15. I really like cold food, ice cream and cold drinks.

16. I can't stand the heat in the room rather than the cold.

17. I can't stand too hot and spicy food.

18. I am not very patient in an argument.

19. I love a challenge and when I want to achieve something, I am very determined in my

actions.

20. I am very demanding of others and of myself.

I have a natural inclination to do everything slowly and calmly.
I get fat faster than others, and I lose weight slower.
I have a calm and peaceful nature.
I easily skip meals without feeling uncomfortable.
I often have excess mucus in my nose, I suffer from chronic congestion, asthma or sinus inflammation, runny nose.
I have to sleep at least 8 hours to feel normal the next day.
I sleep very deeply.
I am naturally calm and hard to get angry.
I don't remember very fast, but I have a good and long memory.
I tend to be overweight and overweight.
Cool and wet weather depresses me.
I have thick (2 points), dark (2 points), wavy (2 points) hair.
I have smooth, delicate skin and a pale complexion.
I have a strong, dense physique (broad bone).
The following words describe my appearance well: "Calm, soft, gentle and forgiving"
I digest food for a long time, because of this I feel heaviness in the stomach after eating.
I am very hardy and always energetic.
I usually walk with a slow measured gait.
I have a tendency to sleep too long, I feel weak in the morning, I hardly get up.
I eat slowly and move slowly.

Vata (Wind)

It is recommended to avoid sharp negative information, for example, horror films, violence, heavy films are completely undesirable for them, as such information increases the anxiety of their mind and can lead to insomnia. For Vata people, association with benevolent people, warm climate, warm baths, hot drinks are very favorable. So that the legs do not freeze in cold weather, it is necessary to walk in woolen socks, do warm foot baths before going to bed, and massage the feet with oil before going to bed. All these recommendations allow you to keep warm, which is so necessary for Vata - the constitution.

You can’t walk in rubber shoes for a long time, especially in cold weather; the rubber cools the feet and the energy goes out through the feet, so when the feet are cold, the whole body cools down as the cold impedes the movement of air and the circulatory system. This constitution should eat three times a day, should avoid eating dry food and food that increases the quality of the air, that is, spicy, bitter and astringent food.

The basic rule for these people is not to overstrain anywhere and in anything.

The main diseases are disorders of the nervous system, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, diseases of the bones, joints, constipation, neuralgic disorders, jumping pressure, chondrosis, arthritis, impaired motor and sensory functions, and nervous depression.

Pitta (Fire)

Pitt's personality does not like to skip food, which makes her irritable and when hungry, a strong fire in the stomach can lead to burning in the heart area, ulcers and hemorrhoids. You should not skip meals and should eat 3 times a day. Pitta's skin is prone to irritation, rashes, inflammation, and allergies often occur due to impaired immunity and accumulation of bile in the small intestine. Out of balance, these people suffer from insomnia if they are headlong into their work, which, as a rule, is the main content of their lives.

The main condition for the normal existence of this type is the need for a moderate clear daily routine.

This person does not need strong physical exertion, long-distance running, light gymnastic exercises are useful for her. Swimming is very calming for Pitt, jogging for no more than 5 minutes. Pitta-constitution can be poured with cold water, this is favorable for her. Pitt personalities have excellent digestion and a strong appetite, and therefore often suffer from overeating. For this constitution, it is recommended to drink a few sips of water before eating, in order to extinguish an excessive fire that will not allow you to eat a lot of food. Pitt's personalities mostly suffer from overeating.

All the emotions of a Pitta constitution arise from lust and dissatisfaction. Emotions of anger, anger, hatred, envy, jealousy. These emotions disrupt the flora in the gallbladder, kidneys, and Pitta people often suffer from metabolic disorders. Diseases such as ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract, stones in the gallbladder, bladder, hypertension and heart disease, skin diseases, inflammatory eye diseases, heartburn, sour belching, are related to the violation of the function of fire in the body.

Kapha (mucus)

Kapha personalities should not be addicted to sweet, sour and salty tastes. Sweet taste increases heaviness, creates blockages, cools the body, sour and salty tastes increase thirst and water will be retained in the body, which is why Kapha personalities often have high blood pressure, they suffer from lymphatic blockages, diabetes, accumulation of mucus in the chest cavity, diseases of the mucous nature, gynecological disorders, tumor growths.

Since Kapha-dosha controls the wet tissues of the body, therefore, disturbances in it affect the mucous membranes. These symptoms are especially acute in cold and damp weather, when cold, damp Kapha is exacerbated in the environment. Asthma worsens in these individuals, blood pressure rises, they become drowsy, lethargic, impassive, water is retained in the body.

The main thing for this type of people is never to be inactive, that is, to constantly give physical activity to your body.

Without Kapha movement, individuals can quickly become lazy and need to be pushed into action at all times. They themselves may not take the initiative, but laziness is their worst enemy. Physical activity is favorable for them, the more the better, they can be good athletes, long-distance running, weightlifting, and swimming are favorable for them. If Kapha personalities are not given physical activity, Kapha will quickly increase in their body due to laziness. Movement makes it possible to maintain an internal fire in the body, which, in turn, cleanses the vessels of excess mucus.

These individuals, without prejudice to their health, can starve for a long time, up to 10 days, but they should eat no more than 2 times a day and in no case should they eat at night. The first meal is not earlier than 11-12 hours and the intervals between meals are at least 5-6 hours.

Nutrition and lifestyle for Vata

A nourishing, restorative diet is suitable for you, with a predominance of sweet, sour and salty tastes. Food should be warm, plentiful and juicy, taken frequently and regularly. To normalize digestion, spices should be added to dishes. Cold water and ice should be avoided. You should not eat when you are in a nervous, agitated state, afraid of something, worried about something, or too immersed in your thoughts. You should not eat when you are watching TV, reading, etc. It will be better for your health if you eat what you have prepared yourself.

Below is a table of foods that are good and bad for you. On the contrary, they should be consumed, but less often and in moderation.

	Useful	Harmful
Fruits	oranges, bananas, pears, peaches, plums, apricots, pomegranates, persimmons, lemons, grapes, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, pineapples, papaya, mangoes, dates, figs	raw apples, melons, cranberries, dried fruits
Vegetables	potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, bell peppers, green beans, fresh peas, turnips, pumpkin, okra, mustard greens, sweet potatoes, chili, beets, parsley, radishes	cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cucumbers, spinach, kale, broccoli, lettuce
Cereals	oats, brown rice, basmati rice, wheat	corn, buckwheat, millet, barley, rye
Legumes	mung, tofu	aduki, beans, chickpeas, peanuts, soybeans, shelled peas
Nuts and seeds	coconut, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, kesu nuts, brazil nuts, almonds, walnuts, cedar seeds	peanut
Oils	coconut, mustard, peanut, almond, olive, butter, sesame oil, ghee (clarified)	corn, soy, margarine
Dairy	cheese, milk, yogurt, cream, sour cream, butter, cottage cheese, whey, ghee	ice cream
Sweets	honey, fruit sugar, molasses, raw sugar, raw palm sugar	white sugar
Spices	turmeric, mint, black pepper, sea salt, ginger, cloves, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, basil, shamballa, rock salt, cardamom, asafoetida, fennel	—

Beverages

Vata people need a significant amount of fluid. Water alone may not be enough. Quite often, milk is useful. With it, you can use spices or tonic herbal tea as a natural sweetener. Acidic fruit juices and lemon water are also recommended.

Lifestyle

The most important factor is sufficient sleep (it is especially harmful to stay up late), moderate sunbathing. Wind and cold should be avoided, and light exercises should be performed. Avoid overwork, unnecessary talk, long reflections, travel, excessive exposure to external stimuli such as television, movies and radio. Try to avoid excessive sex life.

Nutrition and lifestyle for Pitta

Pittas are advised to eat a balanced, fortifying diet, limiting sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes, and with plenty of raw foods and juices. Food should be chilled, plentiful and dry, even in taste, without excessive spices. Drinks should be consumed chilled. Alcohol, tea and coffee are contraindicated. Your food should not have too many spices and too much oil. In addition, food should not be overcooked. You should not eat at night. It is very bad for you to overeat. You should not eat when you are angry or depressed.

Please note that "harmful" foods should not be completely eliminated.

	Useful	Harmful
Fruits	oranges, raspberries, mangoes, plums, plums, pears, pineapple, cranberries, persimmons, melons, dates, figs, apples, pomegranate	lemons, bananas, cherries, peaches, apricots, most citrus fruits
Vegetables	broccoli, potatoes, pumpkin, corn, okra, cucumbers, lettuce, green beans, Brussels sprouts, parsley, sunflower sprouts	beets, spinach sweet potatoes, eggplant, radishes, turnips, chili tomatoes
Cereals	long grain brown rice, basmati rice, corn, millet, wheat	short grain brown rice, buckwheat, rye
Legumes	beans, soybeans, split peas, chickpeas, tofu, mung, aduki	peanut
Nuts and seeds	coconut, sunflower	Sesame, Pine Seed, Pumpkin Seed, Almond, Cashu Nut, Walnut, Brazil Nut
Oils	sunflower, soy, coconut cream, ghee	olive, corn, margarine, sesame oil, almond, peanut
Dairy	unsalted cheese, cottage cheese, cream, whey	salted cheese, yogurt, sour cream, ice cream
Sweets	raw sugar, maple sugar, fruit sugar, fresh honey, raw palm sugar	old honey, molasses, white sugar
Spices	cardamom, turmeric, mint, cumin fennel, coriander, parsley	cinnamon, basil, rock salt, ginger, cloves, asafoetida, shamballa, black pepper, mustard

Beverages

Pitta needs enough fluids. It is recommended to drink cold spring water and milk. Herbal teas made from astringent herbs such as alfalfa and raspberry leaves are also helpful, but teas with a lot of spices are not recommended. Other healthy drinks include pomegranate, pineapple, and cranberry juices, as well as vegetable juices. Alcohol should be excluded.

Lifestyle

Try to avoid being in the sun, heat, or near heaters. The best environment for you is cold wind, cold water, moonlight, gardens, lakes and flowers. Strive to keep your speech sweet and pleasant, learn to forgive and try to develop a sense of self-satisfaction.

Nutrition and Lifestyle for Kapha

A warm, light and dry diet is best for you. You should avoid cold, rich and oily foods that promote kapha. Sweet, salty and sour tastes should be avoided. Pungent, bitter and astringent tastes are favorable as they reduce Kapha. Your healing diet is reduced to food intake (to do this, you should reduce the amount and frequency of meals) and more herbs. You can eat 3 times a day, and at lunch you need to take the main amount of food, and in the morning and evening - eat less. It is better not to eat at night, especially heavy food. If you can eat between 8 am and 6 pm, it will be very beneficial for you.

Please note that "harmful" foods should not be completely eliminated. On the contrary, they should be consumed, but less often and in moderation.

	Useful	Harmful
Fruits	pomegranate, mainly dried fruits, cranberries, apples	bananas, raspberries, strawberries, plums, cherries, oranges, pears
Vegetables	potatoes, bell peppers, spinach, cauliflower, green peas, lettuce, radishes, turnips, Brussels sprouts, sunflower sprouts, green beans, chili, broccoli, cabbage, beets	tomato, eggplant, pumpkin fresh corn, okra, sweet potato
Cereals	corn, millet, buckwheat, rye, barley	basmati rice, brown rice, oats, wheat, white rice
Legumes	mung beans, peanuts, shelled peas, soybeans, aduki	Turkish peas
Nuts and seeds	sunflower seeds, pumpkin	sesame, coconut, kesu nut, almond, brazil nut, pine nut
Oils	corn, mustard, sunflower	ghee, margarine, peanut, sesame oil, soybean almond, olive, butter
Dairy	whey, soy milk, cow's milk, goat's milk	ghee, yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, ice cream, cheese, cream, butter
Sweets	honey	raw palm sugar, molasses, fruit sugar, white sugar, brown sugar
Spices	fennel, mint, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, basil, asafoetida, shamballa, black pepper, ginger, turmeric, cloves, cardamom	rock salt, sea salt

Beverages

The Kapha type requires less water and ice water should be avoided altogether. People of this type can consume teas made from herbs and spices such as ginger and cinnamon. Tea can be sweetened with honey, but not mixed with sugar and milk.

Lifestyle

You should do strength exercises and aerobics in combination with sunbathing. It is favorable to be in a warm wind, but avoid cold and damp climates. Try to accustom yourself to discipline, do not be afraid of working with great physical exertion, try to get up early, do not sleep during the day, stimulate the activity of your mind, travel and make pilgrimages to holy places.

Ayurveda is a very ancient science, which is a proclamation of a certain way of life that allows you to maintain and restore health, prolong the youth of the body, using only natural products and simple but effective procedures for this. Nutrition according to Ayurveda is one of the key points of the “science of life”. “Proper” food and drinks can keep you healthy and even cure various diseases.

Ayurveda highlights the existence of the main components that make up everything in the world (including the human body) - ether, water, air, fire, earth. Of these, in turn, three doshas are added:,,.

Depending on which dosha prevails in a person, a body type develops with its own characteristics.. So, Ayurveda says that for each of these types, their own diet is shown, which will help a person not get sick and stay young for a long time.

Ayurveda implies that if you eat according to the doshas, then health will be restored by itself.

Key principles of nutrition according to Ayurveda

Principle of "six tastes"

In order to maintain the balance of the doshas, Ayurveda gives recommendations regarding nutrition. They should be followed by everyone, without exception, who wants to maintain their physical and psycho-emotional health.:

No need to eat food while in a painful state of mind.
You should eat food only while sitting, concentrated, without being distracted by any extraneous factors. Around the person who eats, it should be calm.
Intervals of at least 3 hours between meals are desirable.
Milk should not be drunk with food.
It is better if the food is freshly prepared.
The main meal should take place at noon.
Dishes must be prepared from those products that coincide with the physiological characteristics of the body, the season and the weather.
Do not eat too cold or hot food.

The principle of "six tastes" is very important in Ayurvedic dietology. It says that four different tastes should be combined when eating: salty, sour, pungent, sweet, astringent, bitter. That is why in India it is traditionally customary to serve, for example, thali - a plate on which at the same time there are many different dishes and sauces with all kinds of spices. This provides an incredible flavor extravaganza.

By the way, about spices. Ayurveda also gives them an important role in nutrition. Eg, cumin, cardamom, turmeric, mint, curry leaves, coriander will help to cool Pitta. Paprika, basil, cinnamon, black and allspice, garlic, salt, ginger, mustard, dill will neutralize Kapha. And here cinnamon, cumin, coriander, fennel, salt, black pepper, mustard are well suited to enhance Watts.

So, Ayurvedic nutrition is based on simple principles, but for a modern person, carried away by constant fuss and haste, at first it may not seem so easy that you need to eat at a leisurely pace and in a relaxed atmosphere.

But, if you develop a culture of nutrition according to Ayurveda and “connect” the right lifestyle, then all doshas will be balanced, which will give strength for further adherence to Ayurvedic principles. You can also learn more about "", this article provides basic information.

Division into body types according to doshas and appropriate nutrition

Certainly, there are no "pure" doshas. They are in different proportions. But, nevertheless, in each person, the predominance of one type of dosha can be noted. This is expressed in a certain type of physique. Now we will analyze what types of physique, according to Ayurveda, are, and we will find out what nutrition should be according to doshas :

Watt type (air and ether). These people have a lanky figure of an asthenic body type, thin limbs . They have dry skin and very often weak and dull hair. They are energetic, constantly passionate about something. However, they are quickly distracted and do not bring the work they have started to its logical conclusion.

They need sweet and warm food., starchy foods (zucchini, cauliflower, broccoli), cereals, ripe fruits and berries (grapes, bananas, avocados, oranges, cherries). But it is advisable not to use melons, apples, peas, raw vegetables and soy products.

Type "Pitta" (water and fire), also called "hot liquid". Such people are strong, with an athletic body type.. Muscle mass builds up quickly and efficiently. They usually have light, thin skin and blond hair. Active and purposeful. Often their energy borders on aggressiveness.

Enveloping and cooling foods should prevail in the diet of Pitta type people.. They need to eat more dairy products, legumes, asparagus, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, greens, celery, mangoes, oranges, plums. Tomatoes, nuts, bananas, red meat, ginger and garlic should be avoided.

Type "Kapha" (earth and water) or the so-called "mucus" type. Such people have a fairly harmonious physique, but they tend to be overweight.. If their diet is not made correctly, they will quickly gain weight. They have clean and beautiful skin. They have a non-conflict and calm character, so there is not much physical activity in their life, which is why they are overweight.

They should eat more bitter, fresh and astringent foods.. They are shown vegetables (raw, stewed, boiled), various fruits (except banana), soy cheese, cereal dishes (especially brown rice, oats, barley, wheat), ginger, coffee. In turn, it is advisable to give up chicken and beef meat, melons, pineapples, coconuts, dates, white rice, milk, sweets (you can use a little honey).

Types of food by human impact

Ayurveda also divides food into types depending on the guna (quality) it induces:

Rajasic (increasing Rajas) is a sour, spicy, salty food.. It is able to “ignite” activity, induce to action, increase passion. If some event is planned where strength is needed to persistently achieve the goal, then such food should be consumed.

Tamasic food (inducing Tamas) is stale heated food, fast food, canned food. Such food makes a person apathetic, slow, lazy.

Sattvic food (activating Sattva) - it is good to use it before the need to perform hard mental work. It improves mood and overall well-being. Such foods include light and sweet foods, honey, milk.

Nutrition according to Ayurveda should not be called a diet or vegetarianism. Usually a diet is given to a person hard. If, however, to use products proposed by the type of predominant primary elements and physique, then this will be an easy task for a person, since such food is ideal for him..

Well, Ayurvedic nutrition should not be identified with vegetarianism either, since eating meat is not under the strictest ban. All this confirms that Ayurveda supports a unique, organic and most natural way of life for a person.

Ayurveda- This is an ancient teaching that originated in the Vedic culture of India about five thousand years ago. Ayurveda means "knowledge of life" in Sanskrit. And, indeed, it is not just a science of health, but a science of life itself.

Ayurvedic Nutrition Basics

The basis of nutrition in Ayurveda is division of people in accordance with their constitutional types(doshas). Based on each type of constitution, one or another diet is formed.

Dosha is one of the most important components of human physiology. Dosha is responsible for the coordination of all structures and substances of the body. Knowing the features of your physiology, you can quite easily determine your constitutional type. But at the same time, it must be borne in mind that there are practically no pure types: in one combination or another, all three doshas are connected in us: watta (wind), pitta (fire), kapha (mucus), just one type or another prevails over the other two.

Watt (wind)

Representatives of this type, as a rule, have a thin, thin-boned physique. They think, speak and move quickly, grasp everything on the fly, but also quickly forget. Outwardly, they can be identified by dry, often curly hair, dry thin skin that is easily injured, thin nails and eyelashes. Watta does not tolerate cold, cool food and drinks with ice. It's hard for her to warm up. Vata-dominant people have a fast metabolism, where fat is burned faster than fat is stored. According to Ayurveda, Vata's diet should consist of buckwheat, rice, meat, dairy products, and nuts. But it is better to refuse raw vegetables, soy products, sour apples and the use of black pepper in cooking. From spices it is better to give preference to cardamom and nutmeg.

Pitta (fire)

People of this type are distinguished by a normosthenic physique. They are explosive in nature. Such people are easily angry, often blush, prone to inflammatory reactions. They have a very intense digestion. Outwardly, these are the owners of thin blond or red hair. Often their body is almost strewn with moles. The skin is pink, prone to redness and overheating. Pitta does not feel well in hot weather, sweats profusely and often feels hot, her hands and feet are always hot. Poorly tolerates thirst, and the hunger of the day is simply torment. For people of this type, legumes, celery, asparagus, cauliflower, dairy products are very useful. As spices, it is better to use coriander, cinnamon, mint, dill. It is necessary to exclude red meat, nuts, ginger and saffron from the diet.

Kapha (mucus)

Kapha people tend to be overweight and obese. The reason for this is malnutrition and slow metabolism. Kaphas can put on weight very quickly, which they then get rid of with great difficulty. They have a large-boned physique, they are slow and like to sleep longer. The positive aspects of character are poise, peacefulness, self-confidence. Outwardly, kapha can be recognized by thick shiny hair, large eyes, clear, dense and cool skin, thick eyelashes and rather broad shoulders. Kapha is good in any weather and under any conditions. She is calm, it is difficult to stir her up and make her angry. Metabolic processes in the body of people of this type are so slow that even an extra apple eaten can be deposited in the form of fat. People of this type need a very balanced diet, paying special attention to soy cheese, legumes, brown rice. From spices it is better to use ginger. Kapha is very undesirable to use any sweets, the exception may be a small amount of honey. It is recommended to limit the consumption of white rice, beef and chicken.

General principles of nutrition according to Ayurveda

The main meal should be at noon (12:00 local time);
You need to eat only while sitting;
You should eat in a calm, quiet atmosphere, while not watching TV, not reading, not being distracted;
Do not eat in an increased emotional state (excitation, anger, anxiety, sadness), you must wait until the mind calms down;
After eating, you do not need to get up from the table for at least 5 minutes;
You should not eat again until the previous food has been digested (the break should be at least 3 hours);
Better not to eat after sunset;
Eat only when you feel hungry;
Eat slowly;
You need to chew food thoroughly;
You should eat 3/4 of your capabilities;
No need to eat cold food;
One should eat only fresh food, freshly cooked or, in extreme cases, cooked today;
It is not recommended to drink a lot of liquid during meals, especially cold ones; it is desirable to drink food with hot "Ayurvedic boiling water" (that is, water boiled for 15-20 minutes);
You can not use milk with other products, especially with those that have a sour or salty taste - you can drink it only boiled and hot (possible with sugar), preferably with spices (with pepper, cordamom);
It is necessary to combine only compatible products;
It is necessary to use spices for better digestion and assimilation of food;
Do not consume industrial cheese (due to rennet), yogurt (due to gelatin), ice cream or cold milk,
Meals, at least lunch, should include all 6 Ayurvedic flavors;
Nutrition should be adjusted to the individual characteristics of human physiology, with the current season of the year, with the weather;
You can’t eat food with sour and salty tastes before going to bed (you don’t even need to drink kefir);
It is not recommended to eat a lot of fried, sour and salty;
You need to do physical exercises, yoga asanas are best.

Food Compatibility

Some basic concepts of Ayurvedic Food Compatibility include the following:

Avoid consuming milk or dairy products with acidic fruits or citrus fruits or other acidic foods.
Avoid eating potatoes1 or other starchy foods. Starch takes a long time to digest; and often potatoes1 or other starchy foods are not digested properly, creating Amu [toxins].
Avoid eating melons and grains together. Melons digest quickly, while cereals take a long time. This combination upsets the stomach. Melons should be eaten alone, without other foods.
Honey should never be cooked (heated). Honey is digested very slowly, and if it is cooked (heated), the molecules present in honey become a non-homogenized glue that adheres strongly to mucous membranes and clogs the fine channels of cells, creating toxins. Unprepared honey is nectar, cooked (heated) honey is poison.
Do not consume milk along with other protein products. Proteins have a warming quality and milk has a cooling quality, so they counteract each other, disrupt Agni [digestive fire] and create Ama [toxins].
Milk and melon should not be eaten together. They are both cooling, but milk is a laxative and melon is a diuretic, and milk takes longer to digest. In addition, the action of hydrochloric acid in the stomach causes the milk to curdle. For this reason, Ayurveda advises against drinking milk with sour fruits, yogurt, sour cream or sour cream, sour jam, cheese or other acidic foods.

daily diet

The daily diet should include:

40-50% well-cooked rice (Basmati) or cereals (wheat, barley) depending on body constitution;
15-30% well cooked legumes (dal, mung dal, mung beans, lentils, peas, beans);
2-5% vegetable soups;
1/2 teaspoon of pickle (pikel) - pickles or the like.

Interestingly, in ancient times, people considered overweight or underweight as a disease that is quite amenable to correction. True, not with the help of a total restriction in food, but through changes in lifestyle and nutrition. Here is what Ayurveda says about this:

If a person is constitutionally thin or fat, it is difficult to change. If so, it should be treated and appropriate lifestyle advice offered.

This means that the diet and lifestyle should be selected taking into account all the characteristics of the body and contribute not only to weight loss or weight gain, but also to the restoration and promotion of health.