Some food choices and dietary habits typical to the Western world may seem incompatible at first with the ancient Indian system of diet, wellness and holistic medicine known as Ayurveda. However, there are many ways to adapt Western food options and tastes to the basic Ayurvedic principles of following a plant-based diet of simple, whole foods in accordance with your body type and constitution.
Ayurvedic Approach
The Sanskrit word "Ayurveda" means “the science of life.” Ayurvedic philosophy looks at the constitution and tendencies of the whole person to prevent, diagnose and treat disease. Diet, yoga, herbs and other treatments are carefully coordinated to promote health and balance. Mental and physical disorders are believed to arise from an imbalance between the body’s energies or from disharmony between a person and his environment. Ayurvedic practitioners identify the imbalance at the root of an illness and treat it with a combination of herbal medications and diet and lifestyle recommendations.
Western Diet
The “Western pattern” diet is one of the most common dietary patterns in the United States. It is rich in foods foods discouraged in the Ayurvedic system: red and processed meats, refined or white grains and processed, packaged and fast foods. The Western pattern diet has been linked to the risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and cancer. Researchers from the Fox Chase Cancer Center identify a second prevalent U.S. pattern, which they call the “prudent pattern,” in the October 2000 “Annals of Epidemiology.” This pattern is characterized by fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and salads. It is more in keeping with Ayurvedic principles, although according to Ayurveda, no single diet is right for everyone.
Doshas and Food
In Ayurveda, each person’s prakriti, or constitution, determines his dietary and lifestyle choices. The tradition names three main physical or energetic types: vata, pitta and kapha. Vata-dominant types are thin and small-boned with dry skin and sensitive temperaments. Warm, soothing foods, healthy fats, whole grains and dairy products help balance vata. Pitta-dominant people are usually of muscular, medium build with easily irritated skin and quick tempers. They thrive on cooling foods and should avoid too much fat or spice. Kapha types have a heavier build and lush skin and hair, and are often patient and kind. They need low-fat, warm, dry foods to balance their naturally slow, cool energies.
Western Foods for Your Dosha
Following an Ayurvedic diet with Western foods is a matter of making the right dietary choices and eating thoughtfully. An Ayurvedic practitioner can help determine your dosha and recommend the right balance of foods for you. If you are vata-dominant, organic, whole-fat dairy products, whole wheat and brown rice, rich fruits like banana and avocado and olive oil are good choices that are widely available in Western supermarkets. Pitta types should look for cucumber, sweet fruits, coconuts, simply grilled vegetables and brown rice, and avoid red pepper flakes, fried foods and yogurt. Kapha-dominant people should emphasize barley, rye and buckwheat, crisp fruits, seeds and nonfat dairy, and avoid salt and yogurt.
References
- “Annals of Epidemiology”; Correlates of the “Western” and “Prudent” Diet Patterns in the U.S.; M. Tseng et al.; October 2000
- “The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition”; Origins and Evolution of the Western Diet: Health Implications for the 21st Century; Loren Cordain et al.; February 2005
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Ayurvedic Medicine – An Introduction
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Ayurveda; Steven D. Ehrlich; 2009
- Yoga Journal; The Dosha Balancing Diet; Miriam Hospodar
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