According to ayurvedic nutrition, our Prakriti or one can say our dominant dosha decides what foods we should consume to maintain our inner balance and be disease-free.
For example, the pitta dosha focuses on cooling, energizing foods and it limits the intake of spices, nuts, and seeds. Pitta-dominant people should consume foods that are sweet, bitter, and astringent.
Meanwhile, vata dosha favors warm, moist, and grounding foods while restricting dried fruits, bitter herbs, and raw veggies, sweet, sour food helps to lower down the excess vata.
Kapha dosha limits heavy foods like nuts, seeds, and oils in favor of fruits, veggies, legumes and one should consume more bitter and astringent food to pacify high Kapha dosha in the body. Learn Ayurvedic Nutrition from NutriiHealth Experts!
Ayurveda says that every food acts like medicine so there is no good or bad food and provides a logical reason to plan balanced foods for optimal nutrition.
Herbs and spices also play an important role in ayurvedic nutrition, for they are used to bring
balance in the food. For example, ginger balances the heaviness of the food thus adding ginger to any heavy food will turn it into a lighter state and will reduce the excessive Kapha qualities of those food items.
The Ayurvedic diet focuses more on eating whole foods, which can improve your overall health and boost weight loss. Encourages mindful eating- Avoid talking, watching tv or mobiles, and other distractions to fully appreciate your meal and the wholesome benefits it provides.
Eat only when your previous food has been digested. You should not eat within three hours of your previous meal but also should not go without food for longer than six hours.
You must include these 5 Nutrients in your diet!
Five food items one must include in your daily meal plan according to Ayurveda Nutrition for healthy lifestyles are-
1. Ghee
Ayurveda suggests ghee (clarified butter) as one of the superfoods. It is easier to digest and facilitates the movement of toxins outside the body.
2. Warm milk
As cold milk is a little hard to digest when compared to warm milk. Hence, warm milk is considered to be a sacred ingredient in Ayurveda as when digested properly, it helps to balance all the doshas and provide strength to the body.
3. Ginger
Ginger or Adrak is considered the universal medicine in the Ayurveda. It not only aids digestion and weight loss but can also help in fighting menstrual pain as well.
4. Cumin seeds
Soak cumin seeds overnight in a glass of water and drink it first thing in the morning after making the water lukewarm. This decoction is known to help the digestive process and aids in weight loss too.
5. Warm water
There are many benefits of drinking warm water. It helps to flush out the toxins from the body and also makes your skin glow. One should sip plain warm water every hour throughout the day to stay hydrated and activate your metabolism.
So, having an understanding of how Ayurveda Nutrition works, one must know their dominant dosha and include foods and herbs according to it!
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