AYURVEDIC DIET SECRETS By Jai Kai Live Longer and Healthier Table of Contents Introduction to the Ayurveda Diet ......................................................................................................................... 1 The key to unlocking the secrets of the Ayurvedic diet ........................................................................................ 2 Preventing disease and maintaining optimal health ............................................................................................. 3 The energetics of the Ayurveda Diet ..................................................................................................................... 5 What is an Ayurvedic dosha and what is its importance ....................................................................................... 6 Determining Ayurvedic constitution – The dosha test .......................................................................................... 8 Basic Ayurvedic dietary guidelines ...................................................................................................................... 13 The Vata Diet........................................................................................................................................................ 14 The Pitta Diet ....................................................................................................................................................... 19 The Kapha Diet ..................................................................................................................................................... 24 The Vata-Pitta Diet ............................................................................................................................................... 29 The Pitta-Kapha Diet ............................................................................................................................................ 33 The Vata–Kapha Diet ........................................................................................................................................... 38 The Tridoshic Diet ................................................................................................................................................ 43 The Six Tastes Of The Ayurvedic Diet................................................................................................................... 47 Staying Balanced And Healthy Using The Six Tastes ............................................................................................ 49 Top 10 Ayurvedic herbs and super-foods ............................................................................................................ 52 Ayurvedic remedies for common health conditions ........................................................................................... 63 Five things to avoid in your diet........................................................................................................................... 67 Seven secrets for proper eating and digestion .................................................................................................... 69 More Ayurvedic diet secrets ................................................................................................................................ 72 [1] Introduction to the Ayurveda Diet Ayurveda is the "science of life" or the "study of longevity" which has its roots from India extending back five to ten thousand years. Many people, especially in the west are unaware of Ayurveda and the Ayurveda diet which is designed to completely balance the body - physically, mentally and emotionally. Those who have heard of it (perhaps that's why you are here reading this book) only get bits and pieces of the whole system. The whole system of Ayurveda is not really that simple because there are in fact a variety of components that include the science and composition of food, anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnostic systems and treatment strategies for specific health and medical conditions. In India and other places around the world an Ayurvedic doctor must complete a 5 - 6 year post-graduate degree (Bachelors of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) to become qualified. It should be notes that Ayurveda is recognized by the World Health Organization as an effective, traditional medical practice and health science. From the point of Ayurveda, it should be noted that diet is the most basic way to treat the physical body for any condition or disease, which derives from food; hence the Ayurvedic Diet. This book is not designed to give you a full analysis of Ayurveda, but rather clear and relevant information and research regarding the Ayurvedic diet, based on my experience as an Ayurvedic practitioner. It’s designed for you to explore and try the Ayurvedic Diet. Being on an Ayurvedic diet therefore means eating the right quantity and quality of foods that are best for your unique personality. Although the Ayurvedic diet is rooted in India, not all Indian food is Ayurveda food. [1] To help determine what foods and combination of foods are best for you, the first step should be to find out your constitution or dosha type by taking the Ayurvedic test – more information about the doshas and the test are in upcoming chapters. Ayurveda stresses the importance of constitutional variety which means that every person is unique and different with respect to their body composition, mind and emotions. No two people are a like therefore the approach for healing, health and diet will be different for everyone. Understanding, knowing and eating the Ayurvedic way creates the arena for you to become healthier and to reap some extraordinary benefits for your wellness. Your diet should also be incorporated with exercises and spiritual practices such as yoga, prayer, contemplation and meditation. Having mind, body and spiritual awareness is essential for real everlasting growth and change. The key to unlocking the secrets of the Ayurvedic diet The key to unlocking the secrets of the Ayurvedic Diet is to first determine your Ayurvedic constitution or profile because each of us are unique and require different dietary recommendations. We all respond differently, to a greater or lesser extent, to different foods because our physical, biological and chemical make-up is unique. Even identical twins which are similar in biological nature have some differences in their mental, emotional and physical nature which make them unique individuals. Therefore in Ayurveda it is important to take the dosha test (see test below). All dietary therapy and diet recommendations are done mainly according to an individual’s constitution. Always keep your dosha type in mind when considering eating different types of foods. Get to know the types of foods that are best for your dosha and outlined in this book. For [2] more information about Ayurvedic foods and recipes read the articles on my blog – Planet Well.com and subscribe to future articles. It is not enough to simply provide you with a list of good and bad foods. The appropriate dietetics (tips and strategies for eating) which is outlined in this book should be considered and followed. It is important to know that just because I have suggested certain diet plans and recommend foods based on your dosha; it doesn’t mean that you have to be rigid in following my advice. A lot of my advice, with regards to the types of food you should be eating is based on the knowledge that I have acquired over the years studying from Ayurvedic doctors, other practitioners and the courses I have taken to become an Ayurvedic practitioner. However, you need to listen to your own body and make your own decisions through experimentation; in addition to the advice I give you. Therefore some adjustments can be made. When experimenting with the recommended diet and certain foods suggested, learn to decide for yourself what feels and works best. Everyone will eat different foods in different amounts according to their digestion and how they assimilate the food. Also, some people will have allergies or sensitivities to certain foods for whatever reasons. My best advice for you and the key to unlocking the secret to this diet is to simply try it out, follow the tips and strategies recommended in this book and see how you feel. Learn to develop a relationship with your body as you evolve and become more connected to your mind, body, emotions and spirit. Eat and choose your foods consciously. Preventing disease and maintaining optimal health Everything in manifestation has a cause and effect and is based on the law of karma which is the universal law of action. In association with Ayurveda, whatever condition or disease we have is produced by our own actions. Therefore, we are responsible for our own states of being; physically and mentally and emotionally and thus then we have the [3] power to correct and heal ourselves. It should be noted that disease in Ayurveda arises from a cause of like nature and we can correct it by taking remedies and healing measures of opposite nature. The basic principles of Ayurvedic treatment is ``like increases like`` and ``opposites cure each other``. Ayurvedic treatments (including diet) for better health are not passive and, action on the part of the individual is necessary to create their own chain of cause and effect and change results. One should not attempt to change their diet too quickly or radically. Your body, a biological organism is a creature of habit and is use to the specific foods you have been consuming over the years. Therefore, it will take time to adjust to a new diet. The foods recommended here should be introduced slowly, often adding only one or two new foods at a time, while eliminating one or two foods at a time from your diet. Often changing one or two items in a permanent way has much better results than a radical and short term diet change. I encourage you to experiment with the different foods out-lined here and start a food or diet journal to record your experiences; such as how you feel by consuming a particular food over a period of time, or how you feel by eliminating a particular food over a period of time. You learn through experience and it is important to note them so you can see for yourself the effects of your new diet and eating habits. There may be some initial side effects when introducing new foods that re-establish harmony and bring you back into balance. Remember, it takes time for your body as a biological organism to re-establish homeostasis. For example, if you are used to a meat diet, then you will find a fruit and vegetable diet to be very laxative and gas forming, as it cleans you out. Thus you may experience diarrhea and abdominal discomfort as part of the process. Even getting off bad junk food and foods high in sugar may have similar side-effects as getting off of drugs because refined sugar is highly addictive. Therefore, Ayurvedic diet therapy can be slow going, taking a month or more to produce [4] positive effects. The diet and recommendations offered in this book require patience and consistency. The results are transformational and often life changing. Many people have cured their diseases or have lost weight, never to see it return. Ayurveda and the diet associated with it are meant to be an ongoing learning experience where commitment and dedication is required for you to learn and apply the teachings. Therefore one should take interest in learning not only the information in this book but also other sources such as my books recommended and resources noted at the end of this book. PlanetWell.com my Ayurvedic Wellness Blog also has some great resources and articles. The energetics of the Ayurveda Diet It should be understood that Ayurveda is an energetic diet based on energetic medicine and it doesn’t promote the consumption of meat because meat greatly affect your emotional, mental and spiritual make up or composition. However for those of you not willing or ready to give up meat, you can still take part in the Ayurvedic diet, and some meat recommendations based on your dosha type have been given. So, what is the energetics of the Ayurveda Diet? First you need to understand what energetic medicine is and what an energetic diet entails. 1. Energetic medicine is not really concerned with the biochemical constituents of substances but rather their energetic effect upon your life force. 2. Energetic medicine deals with general energy imbalances rather than with particular pathogens. 3. Energetic medicine utilizes natural food, herbs and minerals and considers diet, exercise, lifestyle and psychological conditions for health & wellness. 4. Energetic medicine can be quantitative which considers the physical and vital life force and the factors that balance these qualities and energy. It is considered an outward or quantitative form of medicine that often doesn’t concern the effects on the mind, emotions, senses and spirit [5] 5. Energetic medicine can be qualitative which is considered a more complete system of healing that takes into account the more deeper levels such as spiritual factors in treatment A common example of quantitative energetic healing and medicine – TCM Let’s consider Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is classified mainly as quantitative energetic medicine and not qualitative because it doesn’t consider the energy and evolution of consciousness and its spiritual effects. For example TCM often involves the consumption and usage of meat, fish, eggs and insects; they are often found in a number of Chinese herbal medicines. TCM doctors and practitioners recommend eating meat because they feel that it is necessary to maintain strength, energy and health. This point of view or belief system does not consider that meat is dulling to the mind, emotions and senses and is not concerned with inner or spiritual effects. A common example of qualitative energetic healing and medicine – Ayurveda Now let’s consider Ayurveda Medicine. In addition to being quantitative, Ayurveda is also qualitative because it does consider the energy and evolution of consciousness and how treatments affect the mind and spirit. Ayurveda unlike TCM doesn’t recommend eating meat for optimal health, although you can still take part in the Ayurveda diet by eating it. Meat, though it can be good for physical strength, is not good for the mind and can actually deplete your life force over time because it carries the energy of death and violence. What is an Ayurvedic dosha and what is its importance Based on science and deep rooted knowledge, Ayurveda has developed a category system for each individual based on three main principles known as doshas or constitutions. These three dosha are based on the five great elements which is regarded as one of the [6] most significant principles in Ayurveda; everything in creation is considered to be composed of one or more of the five elements which are Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether (space). These three doshas in Indian Sanskrit are called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, which can be related to or translated as Air (Ether as the secondary element), Fire (water as the secondary element) and Water (Earth as the secondary element) respectively. The word dosha literally means “fault.” Vata, Pitta and Kapha are positive forces that exist in the body but they are also faults, in a way, because they can change and have a negative impact on you. They can increase or decrease based on your diet, habits, lifestyle and what you expose yourselves to in the external world. Ayurveda seeks to balance your doshas so you establish a more “Sattvic” quality. To be Sattvic means to have balance, harmony and stability. Having too much or too little qualities of one dosha can lead you to discomfort and aggravated states which can cause disease. A proper Ayurvedic diet can be used to reduce or increase one or more doshas that you have in your body. For example if you have too much pitta or fire in your body, this may manifest as an irritable red rash that may be hot or itchy. You would then choose an herb, food or a combination of herbs and foods that are cooling, and thereby reduce the amount of pitta or fire in your body. Before you begin participating in the Ayurvedic diet you need to know your Ayurvedic profile. This is the first and most important step in determining your diet and understanding what foods & herbs are right for you. According to Ayurveda, there are seven main profiles or constitution types 1. Vata (mono types) 2. Pitta (mono types) 3. Kapha (mono types) 4. Vata-Pitta (dual types) [7] 5. Pitta-Kapha (dual types) 6. Kapha-Vata (dual types) 7. Vata-Pitta-Kapha (triple types) All three doshas are present in each person at all times, but their proportion varies for each individual. Once you have read the instructions and have completed the dosha test below you will know your primary constitution type. Note: When Ayurveda talks about balancing your dosha type for proper health, this does not mean you should try to have equal amounts of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Rather it means maintaining the proper balance of doshas that you were born with. As a result, balancing your doshas often mean pacifying or decreasing a dosha that you have acquired in excess. Although a person can be deficient of a particular dosha, this only really happens on rare occasions when one has a severe disease in the later stages, such as cancer. In such cases one may have to increase a particular dosha to come back into balance. No matter what your constitution is, any of the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) can get out of balance and cause disease if left untreated. Many ways the doshas become imbalanced is by having one or more dosha increase due to environmental, emotional or physical stress. The most common way for a dosha to become imbalanced is through poor diet and eating habits. Determining Ayurvedic constitution – The dosha test The following article will outline a simple quiz you can take to determine your Ayurveda profile or constitution. There are more comprehensive dosha tests that have more questions and will give you more details with regards to your dohsa test, but for simplicity sake this test will work fine. Once you have taken the dosha test to determine your profile or constitution you can read more about your dominate dosha whether it is Vata, Pitta or Kapha in my blog in the start here section. [8]