Balancing Vata dosha: Diet
Ayurvedic texts recommend
the principle of opposites for reducing the level of a dosha that
has become aggravated. Since the characteristics of Vata include
dryness, coolness, roughness, lightness and constant motion, qualities
that are opposite to these in diet and lifestyle help restore
balance to Vata dosha.
Dietary
recommendations
Include
foods that are liquid or unctuous in your daily diet to balance
dryness, some "heavy" foods to offer substance and sustained
nourishment, foods that are smooth in texture to offset roughness
and foods that are warm or hot to balance the cool nature of Vata.
So what exactly does this mean in terms of foods you should choose
and foods you should stay away from? Here are some specific dietary
tips:
1.
If you need to balance Vata, a fat-free diet is not for you. Cook
foods with a little ghee (clarified butter) or include some olive
oil in your diet everyday. Olive oil cannot be heated to high
temperatures without destroying its healing value, so drizzle
olive oil over fresh soft flatbreads, cooked grains, or warm vegetable
dishes. Ghee can be heated to high temperatures without affecting
its nourishing, healing qualities, so use ghee to sauté
vegetables, spices or other foods. Avoid too many dry foods such
as crackers, dry cold cereal and the like.
2. Cooked foods, served hot or warm, are ideal for balancing Vata.
Pureed soups, cooked fruit,
hot cereal, rice pudding and hot nourishing beverages such as
nut milks or warm milk are excellent "comfort" foods
and help pacify aggravated Vata. Avoid or minimize raw foods such
as salads and raw sprouts.
3. The three ayurvedic tastes that help balance Vata are sweet,
sour and salty, so include more of these tastes in your daily
diet. Milk, citrus fruits, dried fruit or salted toasted sunflower
or pumpkin seeds make good snack choices. Eat less of the bitter,
pungent and astringent tastes.
4. Nuts are wonderful Vata-pacifiers. Soak ten almonds overnight.
Blanch and eat in the early morning for a healthy burst of energy.
Walnuts, hazelnuts and cashews make good Vata-pacifying snacks.
5. Carrots, asparagus, tender leafy greens, beets, sweet potatoes
and summer squash such as zucchini and lauki squash are the best
vegetable choices. They become more digestible when chopped and
cooked with Vata-pacifying spices. Vegetables can be combined
with grains or mung beans
for satisfying one-dish meals. Avoid nightshades and larger beans.
6. Basmati rice is ideal for balancing Vata. Cook it with a little
salt and ghee for added flavor. Wheat is also good-fresh flatbreads
made with whole wheat flour (called atta or chapatti flour and
available at Indian grocery stores) and drizzled with a little
melted ghee combine well with cooked vegetables or Vata-balancing
chutneys.
7. Most spices are warming and enhance digestion, so cook with
a combination of spices that appeals to your taste buds and is
appropriate for the dish you are making. Ayurvedic spices such
as small quantities of turmeric, cumin, coriander, dried ginger,
black pepper and saffron offer flavor, aroma and healing wisdom.
8.
Drink lots of warm water through the day.
Suggestions
for Food Choices: Vata >
