Vata Dosha Diet

Your constitution is predominantly air. An excess of air element creates cold, light, and dryness in the body, colon, skin, and bones. When balanced, you are energetic , adaptable, and cheerful. An excess of air causes dry skin, gas, constipation, anxiety, nervousness, and worry. The aim of Ayurveda is to create a balance between the elements of air, fire and water. To bring air into balance Vayu (Vata) dosha needs to :

• Consume more steamed, heavy and moist foods.
• Ingest herbs to help digest the heavy foods.
• Eat smaller meals, no more than 3 -4 hours apart.
• Eat sour, sweet, and salty substances that reduce excessive air. Pungent herbs , such as ginger, are good if combined with sweet, sour, and salty foods and herbs.
• It's better not to eat alone. Have your food cooked for you if possible.
• Avoid nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, chilies) as they may cause allergic reactions.
• Don't combine milk with yeasted grains.
• Eat in a calm to celestial frame of mind.

HERBOLOGY

DIGESTION: Cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, ginger, rock salt are among the major herbs to use.

FRUIT

Most fruit is purifying, though not grounding. Dry fruit , melons, uncooked apples and pears, and cranberries increase air; they are not advised (baked apples and pears, or soaked dry fruits are alright). The best fruits for Vayu doshas are , lemons, limes, grapefruit, cherries, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, pineapples, papayas, mangos, soaked- prunes, raisins, dates, and figs; other berries, kiwi, sweet melons, and rhubarb. Second best are oranges, cooked pears, cooked apples, peaches, plums, apricots, pomegranates, and persimmons. Fruit is best eaten between meals.

VEGETABLES

also are too light for air constitutions to live on. However, if steamed with oils and spices, eating them with whole grains is fine. The cabbage family causes gas ( broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts). Other air-increasing vegetables are cucumbers, sprouts, celery, asparagus, spinach, and chard. The best vegetables for Vayu doshas are sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, cilantro, parsley, seaweed, and small amounts of avocado. Second best are fresh corn, green beans (well-cooked), fresh peas, zucchini, squash, artichoke, kira, mustard greens, watercress, bell peppers, and okra. Some practitioners recommend moderate amounts of fenugreek greens, cooked leeks, black and green olives, parsnip, pumpkin, rutabaga, and watercress.

GRAINS

Cooked whole grains are best. Bread is fine if toasted (but the yeast in bread is still heavy and hard to digest). The best grains for Vayu doshas are wheat, then other moist grains like basmati rice, oats and khus khus. Whole grain pasta is good. Dry grains like granola and chips aggravate the air element.

BEANS

Most beans cause gas, are drying, and promote constipation. Te best bean is mung. Tofu is also acceptable, but may be hard to digest.

NUTS AND SEEDS

Raw or lightly roasted nuts are heavy, nourishing and moistening. They are hard to digest and so they are taken in small amounts at any one time. Vayu recommendations include almonds (peel off the skin), walnuts, pecans, pine nuts and sesame seeds (or tahini); these should be soaked overnight.

OILS

The best are sesame oil and ghee ( one teaspoon per serving). Second best include almond, olive, avocado , and butter.

DAIRY

is good for air constitutions, though hard to digest. Dairy is taken with spices, and milk should be boiled then left to cool slightly. The best dairy for Vayu doshas include lassi (1/2 cup yogurt to 1/2 cup water, digestive herbs, all mixed, drunk at mealtime to aid digestion).

Ghee is also excellent. Other suggestions include yogurt, kefir, cream, sour cream, butter, and cottage cheese. A little cheese may be eaten (especially homemade paneer).

SWEETENER

It is best not to eat sweets during meals. Natural sugars assist air types more than any other constitution in tissue building and body fluid maintenance. The best sweeteners are jaggery (gud-Indian), turbinado sugar, or natural sugar cane, maple syrup , and raw sugar. Raw honey and fruit sugar are acceptable but in smaller amounts.

CONDIMENTS

A little rock salt improves digestion. Other suggestions include cardamom, fennel, ginger, cloves, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, basil and fenugreek.

ANIMAL PRODUCTS

Generally it is best to avoid animal products except when needed to regain strength following illness. Animal products give strength but are inharmonious on finer level. (Ghee and lassi are good substitutes). Next best is fish and eggs. White chicken and turkey are also acceptable.

BEVERAGES

Air constitutions require fluids.

The best liquids are dairy, fruit or vegetable juices, tonic teas (taken with sweetener and milk), water with lime or lemon, and sour fruit juices.

YOGA

Sitting and prone positions are good.

Shoulder stands and back bends are also helpful if there are no heart problems. Deep breathing promotes calming.

MEDITATION

can be done anywhere, at any time, lying down, sitting, or walking. Mantras, thoughts, feelings, looking at nature, thinking about God or Universal Energy, love, virtually anything that doesn't cause strain or worry are acceptable forms of meditation. Practice giving up worry, fear, negativity, anxiety, and lack of faith. Knowledge and devotion are the most important aspects to practice. If the opportunity arises, consider a meditation practice with a qualifies spiritual teacher.

Please Remember

Do not force anything. If your system tells you it wants or doesn't want something, countering these guidelines, by all means , follow your intuition! The Inner Self is the best healer. Ayurveda helps us take control of our health. Seasonal changes may also require some modification of these recommendations. Enjoy these suggestions and feel increasingly healthy and harmonious.

Aum Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

Peace.