Ayurveda is …

The Doshas

Vata

Vata energy is made up of the elements space and air, and this energy controls movement and circulation within our bodies. This includes all voluntary and involuntary movement. For example, Vata controls the movement that makes our blood flow, the movement of our breath, or how our nervous system flows. On a mental level, Vata moves the subtle energy of prana - or vital life force - flowing through our body. This vital force is responsible for our senses, our mind, and our consciousness.
Pitta

Pitta energy is made of the elements fire and water. It is responsible for all of the chemical transformations within our bodies. To make chemical transformations possible, you need heat or fire. For example, during digestion, there is a transformation of nutrients into energy or there is a transformation of nutrients into healthy cells within our bodies. On a mental level, Pitta is responsible for digesting or processing our thoughts, so they don’t hang around and make us crazy.
Kapha

Kapha energy is made up of the elements water and earth. Kapha’s stabilizing energy grounds and nourishes our bodies, and it lubricates our tissues and joints. Kapha also regulates the balance of water in all of our systems, such as the fluids in the brain, blood, and cells. On a mental level, Kapha energy regulates our clarity and comprehension of information. It also is responsible for how well our memory functions. It protects our nervous system by its nourishing and grounding force.

Ayurvedic Diet

The modern way of classifying food emphasizes proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and calories. Ayurveda places additional importance on the balance of energies. Some other factors to take into consideration when discussing food choices are the following:
*An individual’s body type*
*Taste & quality of foods*
*How the food was prepared*
*When the food is consumed*
*An individual’s digestive strength*

Body Type

In Ayurveda, the characterization of body type is intrinsically related to the three energies (doshas) - Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each of us has a uniqe combination of all three energies present within ourselves. Generally, one or two of these energies will have a stronger influence in our bodies, and this will impact everything from our physical attributes, to the food we gravitate towards, and to the ways we prefer to live our lives. For example, if you have a predominance of Pitta in your body, then you will likely not want to live in a really hot climate because this additional heat will likely be uncomfortable. If you have a predominance of Kapha in your body, then you might enjoy dancing to fun music for hours because it’s both stimulating and balancing for your calm nature. The beauty of the Ayurvedic approach is that it encourages us to continually examine ourselves from the inside out, generating a greater awareness of who we are and what we need to in order to create balance in our bodies and in our lives.

Taste & Quality

In Ayurveda, food is classified by its tastes and qualities. Each food is comprised of one or more of these 6 tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, pungent, and astringent. Each food is also described by one or more qualities. There are 20 qualities that can be used to describe our food, such as dry or oily, hot or cold, sharp or dull etc. Energetically, each of these tastes and qualities has a different impact on our body. For example, Vata types get imbalanced with an excess of dry food, such as chips and crackers, because it introduces too much of the air element. Pitta types get imbalanced with an excess of spicy food because it brings in too much of the fire element. Kapha types get imbalanced with an excess of sweet food because it contains too much of the earth element and/or the water element.

Food Preparation

Is a food warm or cooked, is it cold or raw? Is a food dry or is it unctious? The answers to these questions have a different impact on the food’s digestibility. In the winter when it is cold outside, it is easier for us to digest food that is warm and cooked. In the summer when it is hot outside, our bodies don’t need as much heat to break down our food. So, it easier to digest food that is raw and cold, such as a salad. This exemplifies our connection to nature and its seasons. Food preparation also impacts our doshic balance. For example, if you prepare food without oil, the food will be drier and your Vata will elevate. If you prepare food with a lot of chilies, your food will be really spicy and your Pitta will increase. If you prepare food with a lot of sugar, the food will be very heavy and your Kapha will go up.

Time of day

The time of day at which you consume your food impacts your digestion. At midday, the sun is at its highest point; and similarly, our digestive fire is at its strongest. Therefore, our biggest meal will best digest at lunch because we have the most digestive fire, and we need the most fuel. In the evening, we don’t need as much fuel because our day is winding down, and we are preparing our bodies for rest. When we sleep, our bodies go through processes of restoration, rejuvenation, and detoxification. For this reason, we ideally should have a smaller meal for dinner. If we eat a big meal for dinner, then it will likely interfere with our sleep because our bodies would be simultaneously attempting to complete the complicated task of digestion as well as the life-sustaining sleep functions.

Digestive Strength

Digestive strength encompasses our ability to break down food so that our bodies can absorb the nutrients and function at its best. When your digestive strength is strong, your body is able to utilize the fuel you take in and give you the energy you need. When your digestive strength is weak, toxins can build because food is not broken down properly and you will feel low energy. Scroll down for an in depth look at digestive strength.

Digestive Strength

**What are the signs of strong digestive fire?**

A pink tongue: Did you know your tongue can have clues about how your digestion is functioning? If your tonuge has a white coating on it, that is a sign that something is up with your digestion.
A good appetite: If you’re hungry when it’s meal time, that is a really good sign that your digestive fire is strong and that you are ready for your next meal.
Regular bowel movements: Everything needs to flow in a timely manner. Food in, waste out.
Good energy: If you feel well fueled throughout the day, that’s a great sign. Additionally, if you feel energized after a meal (instead of suddenly sluggish), that is a sign that you are digesting your meal well.

**What are the signs of weak digestive fire?**

Irregular appetite: We need to feel hungry to properly digest our food. When we experience hunger, that hunger signals to our bodies to release enzymes and digestive juices so that we can break down our food.

Indigestion or heaviness: After eating, if you feel heaviness or indigestion, then it can be a sign that you are not able to digest your food fully.
Lethargy: If you are yawning or need to take a nap after a meal, your body may be telling you that it’s struggling in the digestive process. Eating a heavy meal makes you sleepy because it is a lot of work to digest all the food; it’s quite literally overloading your system. Similarly, if you take artificial stimulants like a triple shot espresso in the afternoon to keep you going, that’s not a great sign. It could be that you’re exhausted, or it could mean that your digestive fire is sluggish and slowing you down.
Mood swings: Weak digestive fire can also affect us emotionally because your thoughts also have to be “digested” properly. If we feel irritable or anxious, this might also be a sign of weak digestive fire.

**How do we create a strong digestive fire?**

Hot water: If you have a cup of hot water before your meal or takes sips of it during your meal, then the hot water will add heat and make your vessels expand, which allows good flow and promotes digestive strength. In contrast, drinking something cold during a meal is constricting and makes your vessels contract, which inhibits flow.
Adding pungency: What is pungency? Pungency is all about using spices, which is different from making food “spicy.” Think of spices like ginger, cumin, rosemary, oregano, black pepper. All of these spices add flavor while also helping us digest our food. “Spicy” foods made with chilis can be very irritating to our systems because it creates too much heat. Eating an appetizer of a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lime juice with a couple of slices of fresh ginger can really help stimulate your digestive juices.
Herbal teas: Mint tea and ginger tea are really good for supporting digestion. Just like adding pungency, herbal teas stimulate our digestive fire.
Consistency with meal times: The more consistent you can be with meal times, the better it is for your digestive strength because your body’s clock will be prepared to support the digestive process.