Ayurveda is a holistic approach derived from the ancient Vedic scriptures. It is a 5000-year-old medical philosophy and practise that states our bodies are made up of five elements, or the Pancha dhatus. ‘Health,’ according to Ayurvedic texts, is a condition of equilibrium that is dependent on the normal functioning of the Dhatus, Gunas, Malas, Agni, and Doshas.
Ayurveda has recently come up with a unique approach to bring the various doshas into balance by allowing one to follow a specific food pattern, thanks to the growing knowledge of herbs and spices. If you have been identified as a Vata type individual, this article will explain what Vata is and a diet for Vata body type that you should follow as well as what you should avoid in order to normalise the dosha.
What Is Vata?
It is a kind of energy composed of air and ether that is associated with movement, creativity, and initiative.
What Are The Physical Attributes Of A Vata Person?
Typically, a vata type person has a tiny or large bodily frame. Their teeth are strangely formed, they have small eyes, sensitive, thin skin, and frizzy hair. The sun’s rays tend to have a greater impact on them. These individuals fall into the categories of wit, enthusiasm, and creativity. They also have a good sense of dancing and music and want to be in a cosy, loving environment.
What Happens When Vata Is Out Of Balance?
The person often becomes irritated, suffers from lower back pain, neural issues, insomnia, poor circulation, constipation, dry skin, headache, poor digestion, cracking joints, emaciation, anxiety, and psychological issues when the Vata doshas that control the body are out of balance.
By adhering to a specific set of dietary recommendations, the vata imbalance can be readily managed:
What Is Vata Diet?
The goal of the diet for Vata body type is to balance the vata doshas by including foods that calm them into your diet. The diet introduces you to a variety of warm, freshly prepared, home-cooked foods with a soft, mushy texture, seasoned with a number of herbs, spices, and edible oils.
The several dietary options you can select from are listed below. They will not only normalise the vata doshas by lubricating and nourishing the tissues, but they will also conserve moisture, help with correct digestion, and help with waste removal.
- Fruits
Indulge: Apples (cooked), ripe bananas, berries, cantaloupe, grapes, grapefruit, dates, figs (ripe), apricots, limes, lemons, mangoes, papayas, oranges, melon, peaches, plums, pineapple, prunes (ripe), and resin.
Avoid: Apples (raw), cranberries, pears, dried fruit, dates, bananas (green), pomegranate, raisins, prunes, and watermelon.
- Vegetables
Indulge: Avocado, asparagus, cilantro, peppers, beets, carrots, green beans, garlic, leek, okra, mustard greens, olives, onion, peas, parsnips, pumpkin, spinach, squash, sweet potato, and zucchini.
Avoid: Artichokes, bitter melon, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots (raw), bell peppers, cauliflower, celery, chillies, eggplant, corn, dandelion (green), kale, lettuce, mushroom, olive (green), potato (white), radish, spinach (raw), sprout, tomato, and turnip are some of the vegetables on the list.
- Grains
Indulge In: Wheat, quinoa, amaranth, oats, rice, and durham flour.
Avoid: Rice cakes, tapioca, barley, millet, corn, crackers, granola, muesli, oats (bran), pasta, and oat bran.
- Legumes
Indulge In: Miso, red lentil, tofu, moong dal, toor dal, urad dal, soy milk, and soy cheese.
Avoid: Black beans, black-eyed peas, kidney, lima, brown lentils, pinto, soybean, soy flour, tempeh, white beans, and split peas are some examples of beans to avoid.
- Dairy products
Indulge In: Butter, cheese, ghee, ice cream, sour cream, yoghurt, cottage cheese, and buttermilk.
Avoid: Frozen yoghurt and powdered milk.
- Nuts and seeds
Indulge In: Various nuts and seeds, including coconut, macadamias, cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts, brazil nuts, peanuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, pistachios, pine nuts, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds.
Avoid: Popcorn
- Spices
Indulge In: Paprika, parsley, mustard seeds, rosemary, thyme, saffron, salt, vanilla, neem powder, cayenne pepper, and chilli powder, along with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black pepper, basil, ajwain, caraway, anise, bay leaf, cumin, coriander, turmeric, hing, fennel, garlic, and ginger.
Avoid: Neem leaves, cayenne pepper, chilli powder, and fenugreek powder.
- Oils
Indulge In: Olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, sesame oil, ghee, mustard oil, avocado oil, castor oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, and avocado oil.
Avoid: Canola oil, soy oil, corn oil, and flaxseed oil.
- Sweeteners
Indulge In: Jaggery, date sugar, honey, barley malt, fructose, rice syrup, maple syrup, and molasses.
Avoid: Artificial sweeteners, white sugar and honey (when cooked).
People with a Vata-dominant body type should never fast, engage in severe exercise, receive chiropractic care, or work in an enclosed, air-conditioned environment. Foods that are dry, light, chilly, bitter, pungent, and astringent should also be avoided. For those with a vata constitution, regular abhyanga, or oil massage, especially with sesame oil, is quite beneficial.