First things first: What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda originated more than 5,000 years ago in India. Translated from Sanskrit, Ayurveda means “The Science of Life” and is often called the “Mother of All Healing.” It is a medical philosophy, based on the idea that we all are made up of three different types of energy, represented by doshas. Maintaining the balance of all three doshas results in a healthy body. If one of doshas is too dominant, illnesses such as constipation or skin issues can develop.
The three doshas
The three energy flows, called doshas, represent the elements and can influence not only a person’s health but also personality and food preferences. Doshas can be influenced by external factors, e.g. the seasons, and internal factors, e.g. the diet. Since we cannot control the weather, sticking to an Ayurvedic diet is the best way to help balance the three doshas naturally.
The most powerful herbs and roots used in Ayurvedic medicine are Maca, Turmeric and Ashwagandha.
Find out which of the doshas fits you and learn how you can eat and move to stay balanced and healthy.
How to eat for your dosha
1. Vata Dosha
Qualities: ✔quick mind ✔flexible ✔creative ✔energetic
Struggles: easily fatigued, you suddenly feel wiped out when you have time to rest, you tend to push through until you are physically and emotionally exhausted
Tip: Try gentle and relaxing massages, classical music, meditation with movement, walking barefoot. Routine is difficult but essential if Vata is to be lowered and controlled.
Eat:
- Warm, slow-cooked foods
- one-pot meals
- oats and rice (soak your grains and lentils well)
-avoid eating raw fruits on an empty stomach
-enjoy sweet, ripe and juicy fruits as part of a meal with something raw and lightly cooked
- add roots and mushrooms to your grocery list, e.g. ginger and shiitake mushrooms.
Add this to your meal plan:
Golden Oatmeal for breakfast
Lentil Curry for lunch
Bliss Balls as a snack
Chocolate Chili for dinner
An ayurvedic hot chocolate is the perfect evening ritual for you.
Try these mixes:
An innovative mix of Ayurvedic superfoods such as ginger and ashwagandha for calming moments. Perfect for a cup of Golden Milk.
A mix of superfoods and functional mushrooms that not only taste delicious but also helps you feel less stressed and more relaxed!
2. Pitta Dosha
Qualities: ✔intelligent ✔alert ✔successful ✔understanding ✔ambitious ✔practical
Struggles: You may suffer from skin rashes, burning sensations and indigestion
Tip: Try jogging or dancing and exercises that promote core and back strength, Pilates for toning the body, avoid high intensity training
Eat:
-Sweet, cooling and bitter-tasting foods
-barley
-rice
-oats and wheat
-salads and lightly cooked vegetables
-seasonal fruits and bitter berries
Add this to your meal plan:
Matcha Overnight Oats for breakfast to give you long-lasting energy
Rainbow salad with berry vinaigrette for lunch
Vegan pesto pasta for dinner
Try these mixes
This superfood mix gives you long-lasting energy and counts as a serving of nutrient-dense greens. A perfect coffee alternative for adrenaline junkies like Pitta types that doesn't cause jitters or nervousness.
Nourish your skin from the inside and get a vitamin C boost with these delicious beauty berries. The fibre-rich chia seeds also support healthy digestion.
3. Kapha Dosha
Qualities: ✔sweet ✔loving ✔stable ✔grounded ✔calm ✔tolerant ✔forgiving
Struggles: You suffer from lethargy, allergies and retain fluids
Tip: Keep moving – try a standing desk and switch up your sitting positions! Take active breaks every 90 minutes to promote balanced energy distribution throughout the body all day long.
Eat:
-Bitter, astringent and pungent flavours
-Chew well when eating
-Take your time with your meals
-All vegetables, esp. leafy greens and vegetables grown above ground
-apples and pears
-dried fruits, e.g. prunes, figs, raisins
Add this to your meal plan:
Moon Berry Smoothie to lift your energy and stay balanced
Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl with strong and pungent flavours
Veggie Wraps with added greens and a bitter taste.
Try these mixes
Unique blend of Ayurvedic superfoods used traditionally for balancing hormone naturally. With shatavari, hibiscus, beetroot and maca.
Get.a serving of greens with each spoonful of this superfood blend of micro greens.Especially good in a glass of water with lemon.
