There is
nothing like good food to keep oneself in the pink of health. As the saying
goes, prevention is better than cure and the best way to prevent onset of
diseases is to ensure that one takes only food that is appropriate to one’s
constitution.

In
Ayurveda, this is explained with the concept of Thrayopasthambha,
which literally translates to ‘Three Pillars’. Here they are the pillars that
keeps one’s physical and emotional health intact. Which are these three
pillars? They are right food, right sleep and right sex.

Every
human being who aspires to a healthy life must practice ways to keep these
three pillars strong and the most important thing to do here is to have right
food. Again, there is an Ayurvedic concept what describes what is ‘right’ and
what is ‘wrong’.

This is
the twin concept of ‘Pathya’ and ‘Apathya’,
referring to what behoves a particular individual’s body constitution and what
does not. Or what should be eaten and what is to be eschewed. In simple terms,
the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ of eating.

Food has
a significant role in Pathya and Apathya since food
alone can be a causative factor for diseases. And the key here is maintaining the
equilibrium of the Tridoshas (Three Physical Negativities),
namely Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Disease, according to Ayurveda, is the result of imbalance in the Tridoshas.

The diet
of a healthy person is marked by optimal balance of the Tridoshas.
One must understand one’s body well and maintain a diet that suits the body
constitution. Failure to do so, Ayurveda maintains, is the root cause of
disease onset, especially at an early age.

What
should persons with Vata, Pitta and Kapha Doshas eat?

Vata
Dosha

People
with Vata Dosha should include in their daily diet food that are
liquid or unctuous to balance dryness of the body. The three tastes that help
balance Vata are sweetness, sourness and saltiness. Minimize food
that are pungent, bitter, or astringent.

Milk,
citrus fruits, dried fruits and salted or toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds
make good snacks for such people. Include more vegetables in the diet. Carrots,
asparagus, tender leafy greens, beets, sweet potatoes and summer squashes such
as zucchini and lauki are the best.

Rice and
wheat are the best grains for balancing Vata. Basmati rice is
ideal. Cook it with a little salt and ghee for added flavour. Reduce the amount
of barley, corn, millet, buckwheat, and rye.

Take a
hot or herbal tea with snacks in the late afternoon. Avoid drinks with high
caffeine content as they aggravate Vata. Nuts are Vata
pacifiers. Soak 10 almonds overnight. Blanch and eat them early in the morning
for a healthy burst of energy. Walnuts, hazelnuts and cashews are also good.

There are
many food items that aggravate Vata, such as Bengal gram, green
peas, green gram and bitter gourd.

Pitta
Dosha

The dietary
recommendation for balancing Pitta is to stay cool, both
physically and emotionally. A person with Pitta Dosha must have ‘cool’
food items. Sweet, bitter and astringent are the right tastes for this
condition.

Milk,
sweet rice pudding, coconut and coconut juice, milkshakes made with ripe
mangoes and almonds or dates are the best options. Drink lassi with lunch. It
will help improve digestion and cool the body.

Protect
yourself from heat. Stay cool in warm weather by wearing loose cotton clothing.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes when you go out.

Include asparagus,
tender and bitter greens, bitter gourd, carrots, fennel, peas, green beans,
cauliflower, beets and sweet potatoes in your diet.

Kapha
Dosha

The dietary
recommendation for persons with Kapha Dosha is to engaged in
physical activities. Do some exercises daily. To improve mental power, learn a
new skill, solve some puzzles or take a class.

Protect
yourself from dampness and cold. Drink lot of warm water infused with warming
spices such as turmeric, dried ginger and black pepper.

Vegetable
soups with beans and diced vegetables and stews are good dishes for pacifying Kapha
Dosha. Try to include more carrots, asparagus, broccoli and cauliflower
in the dishes.

Honey is
very good to pacify Kapha. Take a tablespoon or two (not more) of
raw honey every day. It will help release excess Kapha. But do
not use honey to cook any dish.

Favour
lighter fruits such as apples, pears, pomegranates, cranberries, and apricots
and reduce intake of heavier fruits such as bananas, avocados, pineapples,
oranges, peaches, coconuts, melons, dates, and figs.

Good
health is a dream. It can become reality only if the dreamers in us decide to
make a conscious effort to become and stay healthy. Eating the right food that
is in sync with our body constitution. Ayurveda sees as the primary medicine to
heal the body and the mind. So, eat healthy to stay healthy.