Ayurveda's primary goal is to promote bodily, mental and emotional health and wellness through healthy lifestyle practices. One of the primary components of an ayurvedic lifestyle is diet, as well as exercise, herbal remedies and massage. For best results, consult an ayurvedic practitioner to determine the best diet for your particular personality and lifestyle.
The Three Doshas
Ayurveda teaches that each person expresses three types of energy, or doshas, that are also connected to diet. Vata energy is responsible for creativity, motion, blood circulation, breath and vitality. When it is not balanced with the other doshas, vata can cause fear and anxiety. Pitta energy causes metabolism, absorption of food and digestion, and may result in ulcers and anger when out of balance. Kapha energy controls growth, skin moisture and immunity. In balance, it causes love and forgiveness, but results in insecurity and envy when out of balance.
The Six Tastes
Diet has a significant influence on the balance of the doshas. In fact, according to "Ayurveda: The Food Balancing Act" by Bryan J. Osborne, diet is the most important element of physical and mental health, since it directly influences bodily energy. Ayurveda teaches that there are six tastes, namely sweet, sour, pungent, salty, bitter and astringent. Each of these tastes corresponds to a particular dosha, and plays an important role in balancing and regulating energy.
Balance
The first step to determining your ayurvedic diet is to identify any imbalances in your current eating habits. Each of the six tastes either increases or decreases the doshas, thereby bringing balance of the three. For example, sweet, sour and salty foods such as butter, salt, milk, carrots and dates decrease the vata energy, whereas pungent, bitter and astringent foods such as spinach, honey, beans and tea increase it. Generally speaking, you should avoid excessive intake of any of the six tastes. According to Yoga Journal online, if you eat fast food regularly, you probably consume too much sweet, sour and salty foods, which may cause cravings for unhealthy items like sweets. Balance your intake and reduce cravings by adding pungent, bitter and astringent tastes to your diet.
Proper Digestion
Ayurveda also emphasizes the digestibility and absorption of foods. It teaches that when you eat, your body produces a substance called ojas that nourishes both the body and the mind. If digestion is hindered, the body produces ama, which blocks intelligence and causes sluggishness, depression and health problems. To prevent the formation of ama, be sure to stay hydrated, avoid eating close to bedtime and consume plenty of fresh, organic vegetables and fruits.
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