How To Customize Your Ayurvedic Diet As Per Your Body's Need?

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine often focuses on personalized approach to health. This is why it works for people, because it customizes itself as per the person's need. Same goes for its diet. Unlike one-size-fits-all diet plans, Ayurveda recognizes that every individual has a unique body constitution. The Ayurvedic term for the same is Prakruti, which determines their dietary and lifestyle needs. By understanding your Prakruti, you can tailor your diet to maintain balance, prevent diseases and promote overall well-being.

What is Prakruti?

Before we get into customizing our diets, firsts lets understand what is Prakruti and how it can help us customise our diets to achieve the best results. Prakruti is an inherent nature of an individual which is determined at birth, it remains unchanged throughout life. Ayurveda classifies human nature into two broad types: mental and physical nature.

There are seven types of Sharir Prakruti (physical condition)

• Vata
• Pitta
• Kapha
• Vata-Pitta
• Pitta-Kapha
• Kapha-Vata
• Tridosha (a balance of all three)

Each Prakruti has its unique characteristics that makes Ayurveda different from other medical systems. The selection of treatments, medicines, and dietary recommendations thus depends on the individual's Prakruti.

Why Understanding Your Prakruti Matters?

Every one has these three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, but the proportions differs. Knowing your predominant dosha can help you understand your body's natural tendency and its needs.

For instance, a person with Vata is more prone to joint pain, insomnia, and anxiety. A person with Pitta may experience more acidity, inflammation and irritability. While a person with Kapha will struggle with weight gain and sluggish digestion.

Ayurvedic Diet for Vatta

People with Vata can be thin, energetic, and prone to dryness of skin, hair and joints. Their digestion too is often irregular. Thus they can add the following food items in their diet:

• Warm, moist, and nourishing foods
• Sweet, sour, and salty tastes
• Dairy products like ghee, milk, and paneer
• Cooked vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, and beetroot
• Grains like rice, oats, and ragi
• Warming spices like ginger, cardamom, and pepper

Foods to Avoid:

• Cold, dry, and raw foods
• Carbonated drinks, coffee, and black tea
• Bitter and astringent foods like millets and dry fish

Ayurvedic Diet of Pitta

People with Pitta tend to be medium-built, ambitious, and warm-bodied. They also have a sharp-intellect. However, they are prone to acidity, skin rashes, and inflammation. The foods they can include are:

• Cooling and soothing foods
• Sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes
• Fresh fruits like grapes, melons, and apples
• Leafy greens, cabbage, and bell peppers
• Grains like wheat and lentils
• Dairy products like milk and ghee

Foods to Avoid:

• Spicy, oily, and fermented foods
• Excessive salt and sour foods
• Caffeine and processed foods

Ayurvedic Diet for Kapha

People with Kapha have a larger, well-built frame, but have a slower metabolism. They are thus prone to weight gain, sluggish digestion and respiratory issues. Foods they can include:

• Light, dry, and warming foods
• Bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes
• Whole grains like barley, millet, and brown rice
• Leafy greens, bitter vegetables, and spices like ginger and turmeric
• Low-fat dairy and fermented foods

Foods to Avoid:

• Sweet, heavy, and oily foods
• Dairy products in excess
• Processed and high-sugar foods