Information On The Vata-pitta Diet

In the ancient medical system of Ayurveda, vata and pitta are terms for two primary "doshas"--or body types--used to describe physical constitutions and guide the course of medical treatments. According to the La'Vanya Ayurveda Healing and Wellness Spa website, people exhibiting primarily vata and pitta qualities belong to the vata-pitta category of doshas; such people tend to be creative, self-motivated, adventurous, slim or muscular, energetic and effective in leadership roles. Ayurvedic practitioners may advise vata-pitta people to follow a specific diet to keep the qualities of these doshas in balance.

Function

As the website AyurBalance explains, the main function of Ayurvedic eating plans--including the vata-pitta diet--is to help people restore their health and achieve greater harmony among all elements of life. Ayurveda focuses largely on maintaining balance between mind, body and spirit, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), and employs diet as a tool for establishing this balance. A vata-pitta menu favors specific foods to quell excess vata and pitta qualities. These include insomnia, anxiety, neurological conditions, hypertension, infectious diseases and digestive problems, the NCCAM says.

Features

According to Losang Jinpa, licensed Ayurvedic practitioner at the Medicine Buddha Healing Center in Berkeley, foods for a vata-pitta diet include legumes such as red lentils and mung beans; sweet fruits such as apples, apricots, mangoes, pears, pineapple, berries, sweet cherries, melons, dates, figs, red and purple grapes, oranges, soaked raisins and plums; full-fat dairy products such as unsalted butter, soft cheeses, ghee and whole milk; whole grains including amaranth, sprouted wheat bread, basmati rice, durham flour, oats, oat bran and pasta made from unrefined grains; meats such as white chicken, buffalo, egg whites, shrimp, turkey and fresh fish; oils made from primrose, olive, sunflower, walnut and canola; seeds including flax, halva, sunflower and pumpkin; and an array of vegetables including asparagus, cabbage, beets, cooked carrots, cilantro, cucumber, cauliflower, taro root, zucchini, winter and summer squash, rutabaga, cooked onion, parsley, peas, sweet potato, cooked radishes, black olives, cooked leeks, lettuce, green beans and sprouts. Allowable spices include fresh basil, cinnamon, coriander, cardamom, cumin, mint, dill, turmeric, saffron and wintergreen. Additionally, Jinpa recommends avoiding frozen or canned foods, ice-cold beverages and meals, cooked honey, mushrooms, peanuts, tomatoes, garlic, refined grains, processed sugar and foods fried at high temperatures.

Benefits

By restoring harmony to the doshas, a vata-pitta diet may minimize the negative qualities associated with imbalanced vata and pitta--including introversion, secrecy, isolation, depression and self-destructive behaviors for vata and violence or vindictiveness for pitta, the La'Vanya Ayurveda Healing and Wellness Spa says. In addition, a vata-pitta diet may help people with a vata-pitta dosha display the more positive attributes of their constitution, which include sensitivity, spontaneity, friendliness, strong organizational skills, accurate perception, ambitiousness, self-motivation and creativity.

Expert Insight

Gary Gran, Ayurvedic practitioner and registered yoga teacher, offered several insights into the vata-pitta diet in the January-February 2007 edition of YOGAChicago magazine. According to Gran, a vata-pitta diet should generally emphasize nutrient-dense, highly digestible foods eaten in simple combinations. He advises vata-pitta dieters to follow structured mealtimes rather than snacking or grazing on food throughout the day. In addition, for vata-pitta types to truly reach a state of balance, Gran notes that diet is only one part of the equation. People in this dosha category should also add "soothing" elements to their lives--such as by surrounding themselves with pacifying environments, interacting with people who help them feel calm and practicing softer methods of speech.

Warning

In some cases, Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe herbs and supplements in conjunction with a vata-pitta diet--some of which lack federal safety regulations in the United States and may contain harmful substances, the NCCAM says. Additionally, the NCCAM advises people to use Ayurvedic remedies only as complements to conventional medicine, since few clinical studies have examined the effectiveness of Ayurvedic remedies such as vata-pitta diets. People with severe health conditions should always consult a qualified physician before drastically altering dietary habits or embarking on alternative health regimens.