Eating in Harmony With Your Body and Nature
Ayurveda, the ancient healing system of India, has been practiced for over 5,000 years.
The word Ayurveda comes from Sanskrit: AYUR means "life" and VEDA means "knowledge" or "science." In its essence, Ayurveda is the science of life, and food is at the very heart of it.
While modern diets often focus on calories, macros, and trends, Ayurveda looks deeper: it asks how food interacts with your unique body, mind, and emotions. It sees eating not just as nourishment, but as a daily practice of self-care, balance, and even spirituality.
THE FOUNDATION: Understanding Your Dosha
Ayurveda teaches that each of us has a unique constitution, or Prakriti, made up of three primary energies: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These are called the Doshas. They are based on the five elements:
- VATA = Air + Space
- PITA = Fire + Water
- KAPHA = Earth + Water
We all have all three doshas within us, but usually one or two dominate. This dominance shapes not only our physical build and metabolism but also our mental tendencies and emotional patterns.
VATA (Air + Space)
.: Qualities: light, dry, cold, quick, irregular
.: Physically: lean build, quick movements, variable energy
.: Mentally: creative, inspired, adaptable — but can get scattered or anxious
.: Best foods: warm, moist, grounding meals such as stews, cooked grains, and root vegetables
.: Foods to avoid: raw, cold, dry foods that increase lightness and instability
PITA (Fire + Water)
.: Qualities: hot, sharp, intense, slightly oily
.: Physically: medium build, strong digestion, tendency to overheat
.: Mentally: focused, ambitious, driven — but can become irritable or impatient
.: Best foods: cooling, soothing foods like cucumber, coconut, leafy greens, sweet fruits
.: Foods to avoid: spicy, fried, acidic foods that add more heat
KAPHA (Earth + Water)
.: Qualities: heavy, slow, cool, moist, stable
.: Physically: strong build, steady energy, tendency toward weight gain
.: Mentally: calm, nurturing, patient — but can become sluggish or overly attached
.: Best foods: light, warm, stimulating meals with plenty of spices
.: Foods to avoid: heavy, oily, overly sweet foods that slow digestion