How to Select Ayurvedic Vata Foods

Ayurveda, known as the “science of life” is a holistic alternative health approach that originated in India, and is over 5000 years old.According to Ayurveda, people are made up of different combinations of the primary elements of air, fire and water. Corresponding to these are the three “doshas” or health constitutions in a person’s body. These are Vata (Air), Pitta (Fire), and Kapha (Water). Health is achieved through the ongoing balancing of these doshas within the body. When a dosha is out of balance, corresponding health problems can occur.A key ingredient in achieving this balance is diet, and eating foods that help to balance the other doshas. If you are seeking to increase your intake of Vata foods, here are some helpful steps in evaluating and choosing them.

Instructions

Selecting Foods to Increase Vata

• 1

  Understand food energetics. Each food has a combination of energetics. This means they they have the ability to increase, lower, or have no real effect on any one more of the three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha. When selecting a Vata food, you are looking for those that increase Vata, and preferably lower Kapha and Pitta. If you are using an Ayurvedic guide, food energetics are often denoted as V, P, K. V+ means "increases Vata."

• 2

  Choose from among the following fruits to help increase your Vata. Apples, Dry Figs, Melons, Pears, Pomegranates, Raspberries, Blackberries, and Blueberries.

• 3

  Choose from among the following vegetables to help increase your Vata. Alfalfa sprouts, Artichokes, Beans, Bell Pepper, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Okra, Peas, Potatoes, and Spinach. Popcorn (unbuttered, very little salt) is also a way to boost Vata.

• 4

  Choose from among the following grains and legumes to help increase your Vata. Barley, Rye, Garbanzos, Fava, Kidney Beans, Lentils, Lima and Split Peas.

• 5

  Reduce your consumption of other foods that are high in Kapha to help increase your Vata. Dairy products tend to be high in Kapha, and tend to lower Pitta. This includes milk, butter, cheese, cottage cheese, cream, ice cream and sour cream. Sugary foods also tend to be high in Kapha.

• 6

  Reduce consumption of meat and fish products. Meat products also tend to be high in Kapha and actually often lower Vata.