What is an Ayurvedic Diet ?

 In Ayurveda there is a whole set of guidelines on what to eat, how to eat and when to eat based on body constitution or Prakruti, season and time of the day. Eating mindfully in the right way helps in preventing diseases, boosting immunity and what not. 

                                          Let us look at each of these points in detail. Eating according to your dosha is the prime factor about Ayurveda diet. Some of you might be familiar with the concept of Prakriti or Ayurveda body types. For those not familiar I will give a quick introduction on Prakriti.

There are three doshas or physical humors - Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Every person has all the three doshas in different proportions. There will be a predominance of one or more doshas in each of you. The basic constitution is fixed at the time of fertilization and remains the same throughout your life.  Ayurveda has  explained the food and lifestyle as per individual constitution including the factors which aggravate and pacify doshas.  The knowledge of prakriti and the ability to subgroup individuals based on their predominant prakriti, in Ayurveda system of health care, thus, is one of its important and unique specialties and essential tools. This not only helps to understand the mental and physical nature of a person in health but also to know the susceptibility to diseases which assists in promotion of health, prevention and cure of diseases.So once you determine your dominant dosha or Prakriti the food you eat can be customized according to your Prakriti so that it will help you nourish your body and balance your energy.    

                  Ayurvedic diet always recommend to include the 6 tastes or shad rasa in your diet. It’s also mentioned that like ‘what you eat’ , how you eat is also important. You are not supposed to eat quickly, and also have to avoid talking and other distractions while eating.                                             

  Routine meal times are also important when speaking about Ayurveda diet. We should eat only when the previous food is digested well, otherwise it creates Ama or toxins in the body. Eat only when you feel proper hunger and the biggest meal of the day should be at noon - when Agni or digestive fire is the strongest. Avoid late night meals and try to eat dinner before 6 pm.

Following the basic guidelines of right time to eat help in better digestion and assimilation. Seasonal food changes are also recommended in Ayurveda classics. For example late autumn and early winter are said to be Vata season. During this period it’s ideal to avoid raw and cold foods which aggravate Vata and include warm and soupy foods and root vegetables which are grounding and pacifying Vata. Light, pungent and dry foods are recommended in Kapha season of the year which is spring. Cooling and soothing foods are mentioned during the pitta season of the year which is summer and early autumn. Ayurvedic diet as a whole encourages, seasonal fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and timely and mindful eating according to your doshas or constitution.