A lot of people may have heard about the fascinating Ayurvedic diet plan. However, not many know precisely what this diet is actually about. Basically, the main idea this practice revolves around is the balance and harmony between mind and body. Ayurvedic health consultant Dana Lerman explains that what we eat affects everything else happening in our lives.
Philosophy also plays an important role in establishing some important guideline to follow for the Ayurvedic diet plan. There are three main constitutions when it comes to people: Kapha, Pitta and Vata. Your health depends on which type you are. And this includes your nutrition. It might be easier to think about it as the recommended diet for your body type.
You may have an idea about your body type, but only an Ayurvedic practitioner can tell you exactly the category you fall into. For example, those who are Kapha have large hips and shoulders and usually have a tendency to suffer from bronchitis. Pittas are energetic and muscular people but when they are out of balance they tend to lose their temper. Allergies and ulcers often affect them. Finally, Vatas are slim people who often feel cold. Usually, they suffer from dry skin and arthritis.
Eating for your dosha
To eat for your dosha means to feed the six Ayurvedic tastes. Those are sweet, sour, pungent, bitter, salty and astringent. Lerman says that each taste also has a link to two elements, fire, water, air, space and earth. To make sure that your dosha is in balance, you need to have all six tastes in a meal.
So, to make sure that you find out more about this interesting diet, we have prepared some valuable tips on the Ayurvedic diet plan.
The first step
According to Lerman, once you’ve established your constitution type, you should experiment with what you eat. For example, Kapha people don’t have the need to eat frequently. On the other hand, Pittas and Vatas need to do this. So, if you are part of those two categories, you should eat every two hours to maintain a balance.
Learn to recognize tastes
Then you will need to learn how to recognize tastes. You may know that sweet potatoes are considered sweet, but did you know that most grains also fall into that category? There are also two books that experts recommend for those who want to find out more. The Ayurvedic Cookbook by Amadea Morningstar and Ayurvedic Cooking for Self-Healing by Usha Lad and Vasant Lad.
Pay attention
Lastly, you should learn to pay attention to how your body reacts to this diet. If you feel constipated or have loose stools it means that you are out of balance. Apart from this, you should make sure that you are stress-free before starting your meal. Take five to ten deep breaths before you start eating.
Wrapping up
This ancient Indian diet not only helps you lose some weight but most importantly, it puts your body in balance with your mind. Did our tips for a beneficial Ayurvedic diet plan help you? Let us know!
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