Ayurvedic Diet: How To Get Started

At Find My Om we believe there is no one-size fits all approach to living a healthy lifestyle. Before starting a new diet plan, we recommend consulting with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian, especially if you have an underlying health condition.

Ayurveda is an ancient wellness practice that originated in India about 5,000 years ago. The word “Ayurveda” is Sanskrit and combines two words that individually mean life (Ayur) and science (Veda). So translated literally, Ayurveda means “the science of life.” The practice of Ayurveda has long used diet as a means to create health and wellness in both the body and mind. 

If you’re new to the principles of an Ayurvedic diet we are here to answer all of your questions and give you some guidance on what your Ayurvedic diet type is. Some other common questions that people tend to ask are, ‘What is my dosha’, ‘Does an Ayurvedic diet include meat?’ and ‘What to eat on an Ayurvedic diet.’ 

So what is the ancient Ayurvedic diet?

Using food to nourish and heal, an Ayurvedic diet helps you to create energy and vitality through the food you eat. The exact type of diet you follow will depend on your unique mind-body constitution, otherwise known as your ‘dosha’. The principles of an Ayurvedic diet include food selection, meal timing, and your state of awareness during meals. Ayurveda recommends doing all changes gradually. Listen to your body and let it guide you.

Here’s a few tips on how to get started if you want to begin following an Ayurvedic diet.

• Discover your dosha

There are three dosha types; Pitta, Vata and Kapha. All three doshas are present in everyone to some degree but the level to which they appear is what makes each person unique. Think of a dosha as your individual blueprint. Your dosha describes your unique personality, tendencies, and physical nature. It shows where there is imbalance, known as vikruiti and by understanding your dosha, you can reveal the type of diet to follow that will keep you feeling balanced, happy, healthy and disease free. Depending on your dosha, certain foods will either increase the ojas (vitality) or create more ama (toxicity) in your body. By eating the right foods for your dosha, you can restore the balance of each dosha’s energy in your system.

Vata dosha ( air and space elements) focus on eating:

• Warm foods and hydrating foods like soup and stews
• Healthy fats like olive oil, ghee, cream and avocados
• Grounding, dense healthy comfort food

Pitta dosha (fire and water elements) focus on eating:

• Cooling foods like peppermint, cucumber
• Beans, legumes, pomegranate and green tea
• Substantial and mild meals

Kapha dosha (earth and water elements) focus on eating:

• Foods that are warm and dry like beans and popcorn
• Plenty of roughage in your meals, like fruit and vegetables

• Practice eating mindfully

Once you know your dosha, you might be surprised to find that certain foods you are eating may not be ideal for your constitution. Don’t panic. Take some time before making any big changes to your diet. Over the next week or so, eat each meal mindfully, with no distractions. Pay attention to how each food makes you feel, both right after eating and an hour or two later. You could keep a diary to record any changes you notice like your sleep or other health concerns. Keeping in mind what your dosha suggests you eat, notice how just eating mindfully can also change your attitude to what you’re putting in your body.  

• Cut out any snacks

An Ayurvedic diet focuses on eating three meals a day and removing any snacks in between. This is to give your digestive system a chance to settle between each meal so that you can digest everything you eat fully, before putting more food into your system. The Ayurvedic principles explain a three stage cycle of digestion that your body must go through after each meal. If you don’t allow your body to complete this cycle, toxins can accumulate and cause a number of other physical symptoms. 

• Stop eating before you are full

You might have been taught as a child to always finish everything on your plate. But according to the Ayurvedic wisdom, it’s important not to overeat. Eating past the point of feeling full can put strain on your digestive system and often result in your body holding onto unnecessary calories which can lead to weight gain and other health issues. You want to give your body the nourishment it needs, without overloading your system.  

• Avoid Ice Cold Foods and Beverages

Think of your digestive system as a blazing fire. Known as agni, this inner fire works to digest your food, thoughts and emotions. In the same way if you pour something cold onto a campfire to stop it burning, when you eat or drink anything ice cold, your agni can quickly become depleted if too much cold food or drink is consumed. To keep your digestive power strong and functioning, particularly for Vata and Kapha doshas, it’s best to focus on consuming warming foods and drinks like tea. Pitta doshas may find they can consume cool foods and drinks but should avoid anything frozen.

• Include All Six Tastes at Every Meal

An Ayurveda diet is designed to incorporate six tastes in each meal, supplying the body with diverse, yet balanced energy. The six tastes communicate the following energies to your body.

Sweet: Grounding, strengthening, nourishing

Sour: Cleansing, purifying

Salty: Balancing, regulating

Bitter: Detoxifying, mineralizing

Astringent: Anti-inflammatory, cooling

Pungent: Warming, stimulating

Each meal you eat should include a small amount of each taste. Think of things like a squeeze of lemon or a pinch of salt. With even the smallest of each taste, you will be helping to balance your body’s energies. 

The Ayurvedic diet is based on the ancient wisdom of Ayurvedic medicine and is designed to keep you healthy and balanced within your own physical and emotional constitution. These tips are just a starting point but they are a great place to start if you’re interested in following this diet. Slowing down to enjoy the meals you are eating and being grateful for the food on your plate is an important part of an Ayurvedic practice. 

*Editor’s Note: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health programs.