Ayurveda is a holistic approach to health that originated in India. According to "Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine," factors such as the high cost of health care and the side effects of modern drugs have led to an increase in traditional forms of medicine such as Ayurveda in the western world. Part of an Ayurvedic approach to health is learning which foods are recommended for your body type and which foods should not be eaten together.
Definition of Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a system of traditional Indian medicine that has been practiced for at least 5,000 years. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, many scholars consider Ayurveda to be the oldest surviving health tradition. Ayurveda uses diet, lifestyle and herbal remedies to promote a state of balance in the body and to prevent or treat disease. In Ayurveda, the focus is on cultivating a state of holistic mind-body health rather than on addressing the symptoms of disease.
Doshas
Ayurvedic tradition teaches that the elements of ether, air, fire, water and earth are divided into three forces or energy types that control all life processes. These forces, known as doshas, are present in all living things. Each dosha is made up of one or two elements and controls different functions in the body. Vata contains ether and air, and is responsible for blood circulation, breathing and heartbeat. Pita, composed of fire, controls the body's metabolic functions. Kapha, which is composed of water and earth, controls the body's growth and immune functions. All three doshas exist in every person, but one or two are usually dominant. Identifying your dominant dosha is necessary to determine your individualize prescription of diet and treatments for balancing the energy in your body, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports.
Personalized Diet
In Ayurveda, your idea diet is determined by your dominant dosha. According to the Ayurvedic Institute, vata types should generally avoid dried fruit, raw vegetables, cold cereals and granola, certain beans, powdered milk, pork, turkey, coffee and caffeinated beverages. Pita types should avoid sour fruit, pungent vegetables, corn, brown rice, sour cream, beef, dark chicken, salmon, ketchup, mustard, pickles, excess salt, several types of nuts and sour juices. Those with predominantly kapha doshas should avoid sweet and sour fruit, sweet vegetables, oats, wheat, butter, cheese, ice cream, beef, pork, seafood, mayonnaise, soy sauce, certain nuts and oils, cold dairy drinks and certain juices. Further personalization of your diet may be necessary due to factors such as food allergies or degree of dosha predominance, according to the Ayurvedic Institute.
Food Combinations
Ayurveda also teaches that certain foods are incompatible together. According to the Ayurvedic Institute, all foods have their own energy and post-digestive effect. Combining foods with different energies and effects can disturb the balance of gastric fire, or agni, in the stomach and result in the production of toxins. Various spices and herbs can be used in Ayurvedic cooking to make certain foods more compatible. In general, fruit should not be combined with any other foods. In particular, do not eat bananas with milk, as this combination can lead to sinus congestion, colds and allergies. Avoid eating beans with dairy products, eggs with cheese or milk, hot drinks, cheese or meat, and yogurt with fruit or eggs.
Considerations
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, Ayurvedic therapies are generally considered safe. Talk to a medical professional before beginning an Ayurvedic diet, especially if you take any medication or already are on a special diet due to any disease or medical condition.
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