The Ayurveda Experience Blog
A Vata Pitta diet can be a bit confusing. Vata and Pitta doshas are opposite in nature.
If you’re a Vata Pitta type, how do you cater to both doshas? One dosha is a hot dosha and is responsible for warmth in your body. The other dosha is a cold dosha that makes you sensitive to excessive cold.
Should you eat cold foods or warm foods? Should you have alcohol at all as it is supposed to be Pitta aggravating? Which oil is best for me? Don’t worry. Two dominant Ayurvedic doshas are actually the most common body type.
In this article, we’ll share everything you need to know about the Vata Pitta diet. Here’s what you’ll learn.
- Vata, Pitta + The Dual Prakriti (Body Type)
- Vata Pitta Pacifying Food Chart
- Vata Pitta Diet Tips
- Vata Pitta Diet Suggested Meal Plan
- Vata Pitta Recipes
Vata, Pitta + The Dual Prakriti (Body Type)
Vata, if in balance, subtly ignites the digestive “fire” just as air helps a fire to start. But if it gets aggravated due to any cause, it can make the digestive fire (agni) go haywire and become irregular.
On the other hand, Pitta being composed of the fire and water element supports your agni if it is in a balanced state. In an aggravated state it will either give you ravenous hunger or will give you indigestion due to an increase in its fluid and sour properties.
So if your physiology is dominated by two doshas, you need to take care that your diet should fulfill the requirements of the two. It should not aggravate either of them.
What can you eat?
There are no absolute foods to avoid. There are definitely foods which are more likely to suit you over others and should be preferred more. Less suitable ones should be taken less frequently.
If you have a dual Prakriti, you need to listen to your body.
The dosha which is aggravated or depleted will need your attention. Pitta dosha symptoms are different than Vata dosha symptoms and Kapha dosha symptoms.
When a dosha is aggravated, use foods which have properties opposite to that of the dosha in question.
On the other hand, if your body gives symptoms which point towards the depletion of a dosha, use foods with the same properties as that particular dosha.
Don’t know your Ayurvedic Body Type or Prakriti? Click HERE to take the FREE Quiz.
Vata Pitta Pacifying Food Chart
Here’s a handy Vata Pitta Pacifying Food Chart.
If you would like to learn more about Ayurvedic nutrition and how different foods affect the doshas, check out this Ayurvedic course on Holistic Nutrition by Todd Caldecott.
Vata Pitta Diet Tips
If both of your doshas are balanced, follow these guidelines to keep the two in good health.
These guidelines will come in handy when you’re choosing a meal plan.
Warm Or Cold Foods?
The Vata Dosha in your prakriti demands warm and fresh food. Pitta being hot, may prompt you for a cold beverage.
You need to primarily follow the Vata Dosha and eat warm, easily digestible and freshly cooked food whenever possible.
To be in tune with Pitta the food needs to be low on spices, sour and pungent tastes.
It should include ingredients with an inherent cooling property like cooked zucchini and a plate of rice which will pacify Pitta even if they are served hot as they are cooling by nature.
Similarly too much raw food, and food directly from the refrigerator, without warming, should be avoided as it will aggravate Vata.
In peak summer you may enjoy cool and naturally sweet drinks like sherbets, coconut water, sweet lemonade or sweet buttermilk.
These should never be icy cold in any situation to avoid the aggravation of Vata. Smoothies that follow certain guidelines are also acceptable.
Quantity Of Food
Eat small quantities of food at regular intervals instead of big meals in one sitting. This is particularly good for your digestion as it will accommodate all states of your digestion.
Ayurveda gives importance to not only what you eat but also how you eat it.
Dining Environment
Sit and eat in a calm place and eat slowly, chewing the food properly. Eating while walking, working and talking is likely to cause gas, indigestion, and acidity which Vata Pitta types are prone to.
Liquids should be taken an hour before or an hour after meals so as not to dilute the digestive juices. A few sips while eating though are all right.
Oils, Spices + Yogurt
Eat lightly cooked food instead of raw food as stated earlier. Use spices like fennel, cumin, coriander seeds, garlic, turmeric, and ginger. Ginger being hot in property should be used in small quantities.
Use oil and ghee in cooking. If you gain weight easily, restrict your intake to 6-8 teaspoons per day. Ghee (clarified butter) is particularly good to pacify Vata and Pitta and will help you feel more grounded.
White meats, egg whites, and dairy are good sources of proteins for your Dosha type. Yogurt is also okay but should not be combined with fruits, not taken every day and never at night.
Tastes To Favor
Vata gets aggravated with astringent, pungent and bitter tastes. Sweet, sour and salty tastes pacify Vata.
On the other hand, pungent, sour and salty tastes aggravate Pitta, while bitter and astringent tastes (as in spinach) pacify it.
If both Doshas are aggravated then a sweet taste has to be used to pacify them. But sweet does not mean sugar.
Grains, Nuts, Fruits + Vegetables
Wheat, barley, rice, zucchini, tapioca, and squash all have a sweet taste and are healthy options to have.
Any food which is rich in carbohydrates is good for your prakriti. But choose whole grains over refined starches and sugars.
They will pacify Vata and Pitta and make you feel grounded. In other situations, specific taste as per the condition of the constituent dosha is to be used.
Oat, whole wheat, basmati rice, quinoa, and amaranth are carbohydrate options you can choose from. These will serve the purpose of balancing as explained above.
Keep breakfast and dinner light and have dinner by 8 pm. Lunch should be the heaviest meal of the day.
Fruits and pre-soaked nuts (for about 8 -10 hours in water) and lightly sautéed seeds can be taken as snacks in between the meals.
All vegetables except ones that are too fibrous like artichokes and broccoli are good for you. Mustard greens, green peppers, aubergine, and too much tomato may also be avoided as they have the potential to aggravate Pitta.
All fruits that are well ripened and sweet are good for you.
Sour fruits taken in excess can aggravate Pitta and should be avoided.
Don’t know your Ayurvedic Body Type or Prakriti? Click HERE to take the FREE Quiz.
Vata Pitta Diet Suggested Meal Plan
You can start your day with a few almonds and raisins which have been soaked in water overnight. This can be followed by herbal tea like coriander. To make coriander tea, boil one teaspoon of coarsely ground coriander seeds in water and reduce to half. Strain and enjoy lukewarm.
You may also enjoy rose petal or mint tea.
Breakfast
Breakfast can be cereal with milk or milk substitutes like coconut or almond.
Lunch
For lunch, you can have cooked vegetables, a little salad, a carbohydrate and protein source.
For carbohydrates, you may have any of the above-mentioned cereals or tubers like sweet potato. For a protein source, you can have white meat (well cooked), eggs, moong beans or a lentil.
Kichadi is a convenient and easy-to-prepare meal which you may try for lunch. Just add a dollop of ghee while eating it.
Mix in a few finely chopped boiled vegetables to make it a complete meal.
Dinner
Dinner can be the same as lunch but you can have soup too.
Beans and lentils may prove gassy for a Vata dominant person. Enjoy them with appropriate spices like cumin seeds, coriander, garlic and a dash of lemon juice. Take in small quantities to begin with.
Chew half a teaspoon of lightly roasted fennel seeds along with a few crystals of sugar to aid digestion.
For supper, boil a cup of milk and serve warm, sweetened with a few raisins. A teaspoon of almond oil or ghee may be mixed into it. This will help you feel balanced and will also balance the Vata.
If you would like to learn more about Ayurvedic nutrition and how different foods affect the doshas, check out this Ayurvedic course on Holistic Nutrition by Todd Caldecott.
Vata Pitta Recipes
Enjoy these Vata and Pitta pacifying recipes.
Butternut Squash Benefits + Vata And Pitta Pacifying Soup Recipe
Vata And Pitta Pacifying Pumpkin Black Bean Side Dish
Vata And Pitta Pacifying Pumpkin Soup Recipe
Vata Pitta Pacifying Beetroot And Carrot Soup
Vata + Pitta Pacifying Breakfast Recipe: Sweet Potato Pudding With Hot Chai (Sweet Potato Kheer Recipe)
Please consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner before trying the dietary recommendations for Vata Pitta mentioned in this article.
I see Chickpeas are put into minimize category. But what about Indian brown chanas? Are they same as chickpeas? Should they also be avoided by somebody with vata-pitta body?
I know a lots of desi phelwan eat brown chanas to get strength as brown chanas are known for being good source of protein and strength for phelwan or somebody who is in sports. What is your advise on this sir? Should one eat brown chanas to get protein or should one just stick to green mung beans for protein content in their diet? Please advise
Thanks
Dear Sunny, No food is an absolute contraindication for any dosh type unless the constituent dosha are aggravated. Though all kind of grams increase Vata, they can be consumed as per the digestive capacity and by changing the form as boiled over raw or by incorporating other spices to take care of the Vata aggravating properties like ginger, cumin, garlic etc.,while cooking.
Sir, i have vaat pitt prakriti. My vaat and pitt both are imbalanced because of which I am facing health issues . My apaan vavaa is severely imbalanced because of which I face frequent urination.. But i also face white discharge problem along with frequent urination.. I am badly stuck between these problems.. My body has become very weak and lost weight.. Kindly plz tell me how to balance vaat and pitt imbalance ssimultaneously and what to do to solve both my problems simultaneously.. 🙏 plz help
Hi Vaishali,
You need to consult an ayurvedic practitioner near you to confirm the dosha imbalance. Diet and lifestyle can influence the dosha imbalance to certain extent. But if the imbalance and the strength of the disorder is too strong, then herbs may be required. The selection of the dosha to be targeted first or simultaneoiusly depends upon the judgement of the practitioner. Certain foods like milk, ghee, raisins etc. help to pacify both Vata and Pitta.
Hello Doctor,
According to mypulse im 3 vata 1 pitta and 0 kapha, I suffer from pcod and terrible mood swings what can I do about that? Im still not sure if im vata only or vata pitta, thank you.
Thanks for your comment! It will be best to consult with a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner to determine the best diet, remedies, treatments if any, and lifestyle for you. Those determinations cannot be made properly on an online platform.
Good luck!
Jennifer
Dr. Bhanot, I am new to Ayurveda and just learning more about it. I have vatta-pitta dosha. I am suffering from severe hair loss and Allopathy is unable to find the cause or solution. Do you have any suggestions?
Dear Alpmag, Your dosha makes you prone to certain disorders. in your dosha type hair loss is one of them. But this does not mean that you would inevitably get it unless you do not take care of your diet and lifestyle. When the hair loss becomes more you need a local application to nourish the hair roots as well as look for the causes which is causing dosha imbalance and blocking of the channels of different tissue systems ( there are 7 tissue systems as per Ayurveda) which are vital for the health of the tissues including their off shoots like hair being the off shoot of the bony tissue as per Ayurveda. But if there is depletion of any tissue system the management lies in starting from the level of the digestion and to correct the chain of tissue nourishment ( a little complicated issue for you to understand at this level though) as well as to address the chronological nourishment of the tissues beginning with the Rasa Dhatu ( broadly related to plasma and extra and intra-cellular fluids) upto the bony or bone like tissue the Asthi dhatu as called in Ayurveda. So as you can well understand that to look into this you need to see an Ayurvedic practitioner near you who can examine you, take your dietary and lifestyle history as well as medical history to advise accordingly. Once all these factors are addressed, the body starts healing itself. Wish you all the best.
Hi. Thanks for this advice. I have a vata-pitta combo. What supplement can i take? Is triphala or something else?
Hi Kavita, Supplements like Amla can be taken for general well being in your case.
Hi, thank you for a great article. I am very much a Vata body… very thin, easily dried out and prone to constipation. Fall/winter foods help to combat that beautifully. But I have a Pitta mind and approach to the world, and in the heat and humidity of this summer, I’m finding that when I eat fall/winter foods, I have loose bowels. I’m thinking my Pitta is out of balance. But I’m not sure what to eat to get it back in balance. I’m fearful of eating too many “drying” foods, as I can get out of Vata balance quite easily. Any suggestions for what foods I should focus on during the heat of the summer? Thank you!
Hi Jeanne, Very good observations indeed. You being a part Pitta, your Pitta dosha has a tendency to get aggravated in summers which is the season for accumulation of Pitta.
In view of your primary dosha Vata and the Pitta dosha, I would suggest that you may chose to have more of well cooked watery vegetables like melons and gourds and watery vegetables like Zucchini. In fruits you should have juicy and sweet fruits. Grains like rice, wheat and oats taken well cooked shoudl benefit. Milk is particularly good if it suits you or other alternative is freshly made coconut milk. Avoid meats as most of them are heating. For proteins you can take well cooked moong beans. Avoid fermented food and beverages and also alcohol as far as possible. Have enough water.
Thank you for this. You’re suggestions have been helpful… things have gotten better for me despite the excruciating heat and humidity here in the northeast this summer. I do have one final question. It concerns me that Vatas should stay away from leafy greens (kale, collards, etc.) as they are difficult to digest and aggravate Vata. But they are so incredibly healthy! Sadly, I find I can no longer digest these greens (I suspect because of the fiber), no matter how much I cook/oil them. Would it be too aggravating to juice these greens with maybe some apple, ginger and lemon/lime? Would love your insights into juicing these healthy greens and what ingredients might be best to juice them with. Thank you!
Thank you for this information. It has been extremely helpful… things have gotten better for me, despite the heat and humidity we’ve been experiencing here in the northeast this summer. I would love to ask one final question. As a Vata, I have had difficulty digesting greens (kale, collards, chard, etc.). I suspect it is the fiber that’s giving me problems. I’m concerned as these are such healthy foods! Do you think it would be ok if I juiced these greens with maybe some apple, ginger and lemon/lime? Or would even that be too aggravating for a Vata constitution? Would love your thoughts. Are there other foods I could juice with these greens that would make them less aggravating? Thank you…
Hi Jeanne, I do not think that juicing will improve digestibility of the leafy greens for you as they by nature are Vata aggravating. If cooking them with oil is not helping then they are unlikely to suit you. Still you can give it a try by mixing their juice with a little lime, rock salt, a little ginger and mint leaves. Take smal quantities like 1/4th of a cup at a time. Alternatively you may try the less vata aggravating ones like fenugreek leaves, moringa or stick to gourds and other vegetables for your dose of antioxidants and vitamins.
Hi Sir, I’m suffering from Crohn’s. I would want to know whether the above mentioned diet fits in for Crohn’s. Also kindly suggest some specific measures to be taken for faster recovery. Thanking you.
Hi S Kumar,
Sorry to hear about your condition. The above diet is for those people that need a diet for Vata and Pitta dosha. You can take our dosha quiz to determine your body type (click here to take the free quiz: https://goo.gl/uD5voi). Please also see a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner to determine the best diet and lifestyle for you.
Best of luck to you,
Jennifer
Hello. I’ve been diagnosed with samaja vatha kaphaja bhramam, kaphaja krichrouneeianam, sama vatha kaphaja kadeegraham. My dosha is vata-pita.I found these tips very useful and I would like to ask you if the above diet is suitable for me. I live in Greece and access to an ayurvedic doctor is not very easy. I would particularly appreciate your answer. Thanks
Hi Eugenia, These are broad guidelines which are useful for Vata Pitta dosha type as well as Vata pitta disorders.
As per your submission there is involvement of Kapha and may be ‘Ama’ in your current state of health. So following this diet might not be appropriate.
First you may need to take care of Kapha and ‘Ama’. For that you need to work closely with an Ayurvedic practitioner in person to get the current imbalance corrected and then follow this diet.
Sir i have been diagnosed with ibs(sangrahini). Can i follow the diet mentioned above?
Hi Mehak,Yes broadly speaking you may follow it but get it fine tuned by an Ayurvedic peactionwr near you.
I see Chickpeas are put into minimize category. But what about Indian brown chanas? Are they same as chickpeas? Should they also be avoided by somebody with vata-pitta body?
I know a lots of desi phelwan eat brown chanas to get strength as brown chanas are known for being good source of protein and strength for phelwan or somebody who is in sports. What is your advise on this sir? Should one eat brown chanas to get protein or should one just stick to green mung beans for protein content in their diet? Please advise
Thanks
Any comments on this?
I have a vata body type so i thought of making “overnight” oats which is basically milk and fruits and oats soaked overnight and eaten the next day.Is it advisable to do so because i have heard you should not eat milk and fruits together? Also can we soak just oats and milk instead of water overnight so that it would be easier to cook the next day?I am confused and new to this.
Hi Prina, Yes you may soak oat either in water or milk. But keep the fruit out of it. Fruits should be taken seperately, preferably before meals.
I have high RA factor which is causing leg pain and I find difficult to walk, especially in the morning. Can you please suggest some dietary restriction / medication for this problem
Hello Mr. Kumar, RA comes under the purview of Ama-Vata in Ayurveda. You need to avoid foods that cause Vata aggravation and are heavy on digestion, and/or those causing indigestion ( as per your individual suitability) so that they do not produce ‘Ama’ The morbid material formed in the intestines out of impaired digestion. The Ayurvedic way of eating should also be followed e.g eating with full concentration at a calm place in a seated posture etc. etc. Stay away from cold food and beverages. Warm water is beneficial. A complete advise cannot be given here , so kindly see a local Ayurvedic practitioner. we do have a course on ‘Ayurveda and auto immune diseases’ by Dr Akil Palanisamy which you can consider for having useful information.
I have high RA factory which is causing LEG Pain. Could kindly kindly suggest some proper diet and medicine for this
Hi Mr. Palat, The RA factor being positive is indicative of immune system being active and is generally is a result of “ama’ production. Ama is generated in the digestive tract due to impaired digestion and a weak digestive fire ( called agni in Ayurvedic terms). Pleaase see an Ayurvedic practitioner near you for further guidance and advice. The diet should include freshly prepared warm, easily digestible foods in general. Refrain form cold beverages and foods.
Dear Dr. Bhanot,
Thank you for your wonderful article. I have found it most beneficial.
Where would you say fermented vegetables (i.e. sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles..) would fit into this diet? Also, where would root vegetables such as celeriac, chicory (or chicory tea), daikon radish, jicama, kholrabi and parsnip fit in? And finally, what about rhubarb?
Thank you very much!
Sincerely,
Sarah
Hi Salewei, I am sorry for taking long to reply to your query. The western vegetables you mentioned in your query except radish, have not been mentioned in Ayurvedic literature. However some eminent western Ayurvedic practitioners have tried to allocate properties to the locally available vegetables and hence their actions on dosha. Thus, I have tried to classify these vegetables as per the information available.
Fermented pickles etc, can be taken in moderation and should be avoided if you have pitta aggravation.
Chicory is cold, bitter astringent in taste, aggravates vata, pacifies kapha pitta. So, it can be taken occasionally only.
Celery is light, dry, mobile, hot in potency and pungent, bitter in taste. Pacifies kapha, aggravates vata and pitta, so should be minimized in the diet.
Radish is mobile, hot. Taste pungent, bitter. pacifies kapha, aggravates vata pitta. So, should be taken minimally.
Diakon is dry, mobile, liquid. Pacifies Kapha and aggravates vata and pitta and hence taken occasionally only (minimize).
Jicama is cold. Tastes Sweet, astringent. Pacifies vata and pitta, aggravates kapha, Can be taken often.
Kohlrabi is sweet in taste, light, pacifies pitta, kapha and aggravtes vata. It is milder than broccoli so less vata aggravating. Can be taken in moderation.
Parsnip is hot, light, dry. Bitter sweet taste. Aggravates Vata and pitta, pacifies kapha, so should be minimized.
Rhubarb is highly mobile, drying, cold, subtle, heavy, dense, solid, hard, stable (both and air and earthy quality). It is astringent, sour, sweet and bitter in taste. Pacifies Vata, pitta and kapha. So, can be taken more often. Thank you.
I am vata with excessive pitta at the moment. Just started to get pressure hives. So Do I eat like suggested above to balance both the Vata and pitta or more towards pitta because of the hives? I have been drinking warmed milk with Turmeric and light amount of honey, heard it can help.
Hi i am raj is ashawgandha capsule is good for pitta dosha
Hi Rajwant, The ashwagandha which is for ingestion called ‘Nagauri Ashwagandha’ is hot in potency( pitta aggravating) but sweet in taste ( pitta pacifier). So, if taken with milk, it may not aggravate Pitta that much. But, individual response may differ. People having a Pitta Dosha prakriti, in general, should be cautious while taking ashwagandha ( even with milk) and should discontinue it if they experience Pitta aggravation symptoms.
Dr. Bhanot, I would like to ask you whether milk should be taken boiled or not. Milk comes already pasteurized so I understand it would not be necessary to do so. But I read in some books on Ayurveda that boiling milk is a must. Thank you.
Sir i am vata pitta dosha type working out in thd gym from last 6 years and also been consuming whey protein but from last 6 monthd my digestion has become weak. Sometimes i feel hungry and sometimes i dont. I have been taking ayurvedic medicines from a ayurvedic doctor from last 35 days but my digestion is still the same. I have been following do’s and dont’s. My problem is too small according to the doctor. My main question is how can i increase my muscle weight by 3-4 kgs.
I am 36 years old’5’11 height and 74 kgs.
Hi Mitz,
Do you eat meat? Meat can help increase muscle in the body. Perhaps the whey protein is too heavy for you. Continue to consult with your practitioner for assistance.
Best of luck,
Jennifer
I am working to pacify my Vata at the moment and told to have soaked and peeled almonds with raisons for my snacks during the day. Do I also soak the raisons?
Thanks
Hi there, Soaking the raisins is not mandatory. But as per my experience ( borrowed from my mother),soaking the raisins as well, makes them more digestible. So, no harm doing that provided you like the taste!
Hello there. I’m reading that cereals and legumes can me combined. But what about digestion. How can I balance carbs and proteins when I don’t do well at eating both combined?
Hi Maria, This is a very common situation in a Vata Pitta body type. As ideally, taking cereals and legumes together is good for nutrition, you can use spices to improve your stomach’s capacity to digest the combination meal. Use strong spices like ginger, garlic asafoetida, if Pitta is in balance, But if Pitta is also aggravated, go for milder spices like coriander, fennel, bay leaves ( 2-3 leaves whole) , cumin, cloves. Use mint and coriander sauce with meals. If nothing works, space legumes and cereals by 4-6 hrs and consult an Ayurvedic doctor to suggest a digestive aid . Once the digestion gets up to the mark, incorporate legumes in your cereal meals slowly. Generally two 1 ounce ( dry weight) servings are optimum.
Sir, I am troubled by aggrevated vata and pitta dosha.i can’t drink milk,any heavy food.my bowel movement is not proper.and I always feel urge to go.mucus is form very high quantity.please suggest me.
Dear Naveen, In this condition, it is mandatory for you to first take care of your digestion, then only you can make use of milk and milk products. Please take equal quantity of cumin and coriander seeds, lightly roast them and powder them coarsely.Take one teaspoon of the the mixture with 1/2 tsf of caraway seeds (ajwain) and a pinch of rock salt twice a day after meals with warm water. Do it for a month. Once the mucous in the stools stops coming and you have good appetite, then start adding a little ghee in your diet. Review with an Ayurvedic practitioner also for other herbal preparations if need be.
Aren’t grains and carbs bad and toxic? While I need carbs due to adrenal fatigue too much carbs = fat accumulation = estrogen dominance.
The truth is whether you take proteins or carbs, body will need carbs for energy. The proteins also get converted to carbs. So we cannot escape from this. Ayurveda does not consider carbs as toxic. There is an old grandmother’s way of putting it: the ” Anna ( or grains) are prana ( vital energy)”. in fact carbs spares proteins for the repair and growth work that they are supposed to do. On the other hand proteins, help to add satiety and also help to regulate the glucose surge that occurs after a meal. The fats further augments these two actions of protein. So an ideal meal should have a combination of all three in right proportions as per your digestive capacity. Further the whole grains and legumes and/ or meats are to be preferred over ready source of simple carbohydrates (sugar, white bread, pasta, fruit juice etc). The choice of protein source depends upon your body’s compatibility and state of digestion. Further choosing the right type of carbs ( mainly the complex carbs with fiber is the key to healthy eating and will keep the side effects like an insulin surge, fat accumulation and estrogen dominance at bay.
Great piece of work and very simply put Thanks Ashwani Windlass awoffice@ymail.com
Can we talk sometime please
Dear Sunny, Our communications are getting interesting!! It will be useful ofr other readers as well. Ayurveda does not advocate taking of paneer ( cottage cheese) and curd ( yogurt) everyday as they are believed to block the channels ( ABHI- SHA-YANDI is the term used in the texts for this effect) . So you can take your daily quota of proteins either from milk as such or from a combination of grains like wheat or rice with lentils like moong dal ( best tolerated by a Vata Pitta) . According to modern dietetics, a combination of grains with lentils give you complete set of essential amino acids and thus can replace complete proteins like paneer , eggs and meats. You may also include eggs in your diet in a limited amount as per the state of your digestion.
Understood Sir. So I am guessing mung beans are the best option to go for as they are rich in carbs, proteins and have plenty of fibers too. Do you prefer green whole mung or split yellow mung?
Another question I have is about eating in the evening or night before sleeping. For example let’s say if I have a game or practice late in the evening then is it still okay to have recovery meal with solid-foods or liquid-recovery drink as we mentioned earlier (boiled milk with ghee, turmeric, raisins and almonds) in the night time? I know Ayurveda doesn’t recommend eating heavy food or any food at all once the Sun is down because your Agni is interconnected with the Sun. How does this rule of Ayurveda of not eating anything heavy in the night applies to athletic person? Should one just go to sleep without eating anything and have big breakfast in the morning? Or If one is going to eat something then should it be in form of solid-food or liquid drink of milk as we mentioned earlier with ghee, raisins and almond? Once again Sir, I want to say thank you soo much for sharing your knowledge as it has clarified a lot of my confusions.
Thanks
Bot whole and split green moong are equally good. Ayurveda wants us to sleep as the sun goes down and get up before it rises. Practically speaking this is not possible in modern times. So any food which you do not feel heavy after eating should be good. The heavy to digest foods are those which have been processed like sweets made of condensed milk, deep fried foods are to be avoided in any case. If you can digest almonds and milk at night without feeling heavy, you may take them at least 2 hrs before bedtime.
What about eating almond milk yogurt (non dairy) and having fruit with that? I’m a Vata-Pitta type.
Technically speaking both milk yogurt and almond milk yogurt have the same properties. So the same rules apply to both. Hence it also should not be combined with fruits
If somebody, is Vata-pitta dosha and play running sport where a lot of physicality is involved. Will his/her diet be any different than the one above. What do you recommend to eat after training to recover well according to Ayurveda principles?
Thanks Sunny for asking a good question.The broad guidelines will remain the same. Only that an atheletic person will require more quantity. But as per Ayurveda you have to by the state of your digestive fire called ‘Agni’. If you are not feeling like eating any time,it means your agni is disturbed. Then you may choose to have a fruit meal or just some electrolyte drink til you feel hungry again. Further you need to eat till the point you feel that another helping will make you ‘Full’. Stop at that point. Your body will guide you. Avoid taking raw sprouts and indiscriminate use of protein shakes. For recovering from a work out a warm milk with almonds or a protein powder ( if you want to take it) will go well with your body type. The quantity of the powder has to be as per your agni. If you feel gassy and heavy after a particular amount of protein powder, you may need t decrease the quantity. Wish you health!
The broad guidelines will remain the same. Only that the quantity will increase for an athletic person like yourself. But you need to take the digestive capacity into consideration. It is good to eat till the point when you feels that one more serving will make you full. To recover from a workout a warm protein shake or an almond shake will be good as per your body type. But the quantity of almonds or protein powder should be as per your digestive capacity. If you fell bloated or heavy after a shake, then you may need to alter the quantity of protein powder or nuts to an optimum level. For other meals always have a combination of carbs and proteins.
Understood. Thanks for replying and clarifying it for me Sir. I usually do not like taking artificial protein powder after workout. My current recovery drink after workout is boiled milk with 3-4 dates, few raisins, little bit of cardamon and ginger. Then I add half spoon of turmeric and 2 spoon of desi-ghee into it and drink it. This recipe is just my own imagination. Is it pretty good drink as per Ayurveda to drink after physical activity or is it too heavy for digestion?
Understood. Thanks for replying back and clarifying it for me sir. I normally do not like taking artificial protein-powder. My current recovery drink after workout is boiled milk with pinch of ginger, caradmon, few raisins and 3-4 dates. Then I add half a spoon of turmeric, and 2 spoon of desi-ghee. This drink is just my own imagination. Is it pretty good drink as per ayurveda or is it heavy for digestion? Would appreciate your thoughts on it
Thanks
Seems your agni is not up to the mark and that is why you do not feel like taking protein powder. But thankfully the ginger, cardamom and turmeric will do the trick for you and so will the desi ghee. You can take it after the exercise but give half an hour to your blood to return to the gut from peripheries
so that it is digested properly. You may add a few soaked almonds to the routine if you feel that your agni is good enough to digest it.
Thanks for replying . To get good amounts of proteins in the diet, if one doesnt want to eat meat everyday then Is it okay to eat Paneer everyday in lunch? The way I take paneer is like soup (boil few cubes of already-made-paneer in water with few pinches of ginger, cumin and salt). Is it good way to take paneer or is there better way to take it for proper digestion? What are some other good sources of easily digestible protein you advise for Vata-pitta people?
Thanks Sir for sharing your knowledge
I have read in “Ayurveda to the Rescue” book that you should not eat yogurt with fruit ; both yogurt and milk has sour Vipak.
Both Milk and curd ( which is fresh and properly set) has sweet Vipak ( post digestive effect)- reference Bhavprakash Nighantu (one of the authentic and respected materia medica).
Combining fruits and Milk or curd.yogurt is considered incompatible food combination as per Ayurveda. Incompatibilities are in turn of many types and have been explained in detail in Charak Samhita ( one of the most authentic book on Ayurvedic principles and treatment)