Ayurveda, the 5,000-year old Indian system of healing, teaches that there are three doshas present within all of us, which must remain in balance for true health to be experienced. Dr. Deepak Chopra refers to the Vata dosha as "king" of all of the other doshas as it is responsible for regulating the nervous system and all bodily movement. A Vata balancing diet is not a passing fad or some quick way to lose weight; it is one component of an overall plan to restore balance to the mind, body and spirit through the Ayurvedic tradition.
About Vata Dosha
If Vata is your leading dosha, you may be naturally thin in stature. Vata represents coolness, dryness and constant motion. Even if Vata is not present in an individual to a high degree, it still can cause problems when it becomes aggravated. Chopra explains that many people have an imbalance in the Vata dosha and the common manifestations of this are sleeplessness, anxiety, fatigue, constipation and impulsiveness. On the other hand, a balanced Vata dosha allows liveliness, creativity and enthusiasm to be expressed.
Foods to Include
To bring Vata dosha back into balance, warm foods are the key. Soups, stews and nourishing whole grains should be eaten in abundance. Consuming liquid foods offsets dryness, and including oils such as olive oil or ghee in cooking is also important for the same reason. You should drink warm water throughout the day. Hot, nourishing beverages, such as warm milk or caffeine-free herbal tea, are also useful.
Recommended cooked vegetables include carrots, beets, asparagus, zucchini and sweet potatoes. Basmati rice cooked with ghee is ideal for balancing Vata. Vegetables should be chopped, cooked well and may include spices, such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, dried ginger and black pepper. Appropriate snacks for a Vata diet include citrus fruits, almonds and pumpkin seeds. Fresh-baked bread and warm oatmeal are excellent choices for a Vata breakfast.
Foods to Avoid
To follow a Vata diet, there are also foods equally important to avoid. Dry and salty foods, such as potato chips, can aggravate Vata. Raw vegetables will do the same. Crackers, cold cereal, soda and ice cream should also be avoided. Salads are also not a good choice for a Vata diet.
Schedule
To balance Vata it is also important to take charge of your schedule, according to Chopra. Those accustomed to multitasking throughout their day should instead concentrate on completing one task at a time. Focused attention should be given to each activity and distractions such as the television should be avoided whenever possible. He explains that to balance Vata dosha through diet, it is best to stick with regular meal times and never skip a meal.
Additional Recommendations
In combination with eating Vata-pacifying foods and minding your schedule, Chopra strongly emphasizes the importance of meditation. Meditation creates a calm mind and offers a deep level of relaxation even in a waking state. Getting plenty of sleep at night is equally important.
Staying warm is important in balancing Vata as it can become aggravated by cold and windy weather. Dr. Chopra recommends performing a self-massage with sesame oil on a daily basis. Aromatherapy is also a useful tool in balancing Vata. Inhaling essential oils of orange, lavender, neroli, sandalwood, vanilla and clove are all useful for strengthening Vata.
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