Ayurvedic Diet Plan, Benefits & Foods

by John Staughton (BASc, BFA) last updated -

Going on an Ayurveda diet can be an effective and healthy way to lose weight fast and boost your body’s defenses.

What is an Ayurveda Diet?

An Ayurvedic diet is one based on the ancient traditions, herbs and recommended foods of Ayurvedic medicine, which originated more than 5,000 years ago in India. Ayurvedic healing remains an important part of Indian culture and has also spread to other parts of the world. It is a comprehensive system of healing that is customized for each practitioner based on their dosha, or specific body type. The ultimate goal of an Ayurvedic diet is to avoid foods based on your body type’s specific needs and change your food intake based on seasonal changes. This is said to affect a person’s energy levels and also encourage self-healing. Working with an Ayurvedic practitioner is highly recommended to design your specific Ayurveda diet plan. [1] [2]

What are Ayurvedic Body Types?

There are three Ayurvedic diet types, vata, kapha, and pitta, which will define the particular approach one takes to this diet.

Vata

If you have a vata constitution, you will tend to be on the slender side, but will often suffer from digestive problems. You are often a creative person, but also one that is prone to mental stress and anxiety. Common health problems for vata individuals include neurological disease and heart disease. [3]

Fresh spices, fruits, vegetables, and beans in white bowls

Ayurveda diet, as a whole, encourages eating whole foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Kapha

A Kapha constitution is defined as having a medium-sized body composition, and are often athletic or in good control of their body weight. Typically competitive, athletic, and aggressive, this body type is also susceptible to heart disease and infections.

Pitta

Pitta, the final body type, is typically a person who struggles to control their weight and body image. While they may be supportive and loving, these individuals often suffer from a lack of motivation and sadness. They are also prone to chronic diseases. [4]

Ayurveda Diet Plan

If you want to follow an Ayurveda diet, you will first need to determine which body type diet you should be following; after that, these simple meal plans can help you align your energy with your dietary intake.

Ayurveda Vata Diet Plan

  • Eat healthy fats with almost every meal
  • Sweet, salty and sour-flavored food [5]
  • Use warming spices
  • Avoid cold or frozen foods
  • Most of your food should be cooked, rather than raw
  • Don’t drink too much water or fresh fruit juice
  • Drink warm water and tea

Ayurveda Pitta Diet Plan

  • Eat a lot of cooling fruits and vegetables
  • Avoid spicy and sour foods
  • Eat sweet, bitter, and astringent foods
  • Avoid raw and heavily spiced dishes
  • Eat smaller meals spaced out 2-3 hours each day
  • Avoid oily foods or deep-fried items

Ayurveda Kapha Diet Plan

  • Low-fat dairy products
  • Grains and beans
  • Avoid tofu
  • Avoid excess sweets and fatty foods of all kinds
  • Don’t consume too much sugar; limit water consumption
  • A balance between hot and cold foods
  • Use pungent, bitter, and astringent foods, rather than sweet, sour or spicy ones

Ayurveda Diet Benefits

The many benefits of an Ayurvedic diet include its ability to aid in weight loss, improve mood, relieve jaundice and lower your risk of diabetes, among others.

  • Improve digestive issues
  • Aid in calorie control and weight loss efforts
  • Improve mood and hormonal levels
  • Fighting fatigue and sleeplessness
  • Boost the immune system
  • Prevent jaundice
  • Detoxify the body and relieve stress on kidneys
  • Relieve inflammation caused by arthritis
  • Lower your risk of diabetes [6]

This type of diet also encourages eating more organic food that is free from any chemicals and pesticides.

Ayurvedic Diet Foods

The major foods that can be found in an Ayurvedic diet (found in varying quantities in all three diet types) include the following: [7]

Ayurvedic Diet Side Effects

Although there are clearly many potential benefits, there are also some side effects to using an Ayurveda diet, including gastrointestinal distress, particularly when first changing your diet. Furthermore, Ayurvedic medicine is known as complementary and alternative medicine and should be used in conjunction with more formal medical advice, particularly if you suffer from a chronic health condition.

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About the Author

John Staughton is a traveling writer, editor, publisher and photographer with English and Integrative Biology degrees from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana (USA). He co-founded the literary journal, Sheriff Nottingham, and now serves as the Content Director for Stain’d Arts, a non-profit based in Denver, Colorado. On a perpetual journey towards the idea of home, he uses words to educate, inspire, uplift and evolve.

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