The Pita Dosha Diet

Your diet plays an important role in your health. Eating the right foods can make a difference between a long and happy life, while a diet comprised of high fat, processed foods can increase your risk of disease. The pitta diet, which stems from the holistic healing science of Ayurveda, may help you achieve the optimal health to enjoy life to its fullest. Always check with your doctor before using non-traditional treatment.

Ayurvedic Beliefs

Many scholars believe Ayurveda is the oldest healing science, according to University of Maryland Medical Center. This holistic science believes you can prevent and treat illness by maintaining a healthy balance between your mind and body through the foods you eat, the beverages you drink and your lifestyle. A major part of this is the expression of positive emotions and the necessity of aligning your life with the natural rhythms of your body. This begins with your dosha.

The Three Doshas

Vata, pitta and kapha are the three energy sources, or doshas, that are the foundation of Ayurveda. Your dosha is a combination of your emotional, physical and mental characteristics, and work to maintain certain functions within your body. Doshas must remain in balance to ensure the best emotional traits, such as your ability to love, succeed and forgive, shine through. Balance is a must to maintain optimal health as well.

Pitta Characteristics

Every dosha has different characteristics, making you unique. If you are a pitta, you are ambitious, driven and competitive. You enjoy a challenge and are goal oriented. Although thrill-seeking is not a part of who you are, you test the limits of your boundaries, doing whatever it takes to succeed. John Douillard, Ph.D., describes an out-of-balance dosha as one who is quick to anger during a stressful situation. You can become aggressive when you feel a loss of control and suffer from burnout due to your intensive nature. Sicknesses such as high blood pressure and ulcers are common as well. Ayurveda believes the right diet for each dosha restores balance and alleviates these problems.

The Pitta Diet

The guidelines for the pitta diet are fairly simple -- choose foods that are cooling to balance your fiery nature. Fresh fruits and vegetables such as cucumbers cauliflower, celery, kale, lettuce, melons, berries, apples and pineapples are your superfoods with the greatest impact. Beans and grains include fava, garbanzo, snow peas, split peas, barley, oats and rice. Soy and rice milk are healthier than whole milk, and calming herbal teas like chicory and mint may help relax you. Douillard recommends eating eggs in moderation, adding that chicken and freshwater fish are your best lunch and dinner meat. Limit your condiments to low-fat mayonnaise, and avoid spicy or salty foods. These will only add to your fiery nature rather than balance it.