Ayurveda Cooking - Ayurveda Food
Ayurveda Food
d and effect of food on the body. The food is categorized according to
es). Ayurveda also classifies food on the bases of doshas (body
which food item is favourable or unfavourable for an individual and
g particular season. Thus, food is an elaborated subject of Ayurvedic
he whole process
Rajas and Tamas. These gunas are fundamental attributes that
hese three gunas are presented in every human being with more or
e these gunas in body and mind is ayurvedic cooking or food. On the
sified as Sattvic, Rajasik, and Tamsik.
type of food. The food contains most of its nutritional values as it is cooked by using minimal heat and modest processing. It provides the ne
eers survive on sattvic foods. Sattvic food should be taken fresh or immediately after it is prepared.
ed or also sprouted beans, grains and nuts, many herbs and spices consumed in their natural and near-natural forms are good examples o
chilies and black pepper and such other pungent and astringent spices are forbidden.
. Though buffalo milk is also used widely, it is not considered to be as nourishing, and is usually not form the part of a sattvic diet. In the abs
re of cows. Milk products like butter, ghee (cooked and dehydrated butter) also used prominently in sattvic diet as they are prepared with ve
nation of physical, mental and emotional harmony. Sattvic food increase person’s well-being, and inner peace. Such a person always remai
s sensitive to the various nuances of his sensory being. He/she is less affected by exposure to adverse conditions. Even if he/she falls sick,
d usually not aggressive in nature.
Rajasik food is rich in flavour bu
cooked in excess butter, with sp
rajasic food is rich in nutrients w
period to digest than sattvic food
been fried in oil or cooked too m
pungent, hot and dry are examp
as the rajasic food increase the
beneficial if used wisely, it can le
s the foundation of motion, activity and pain hence rajasic person has the capacity to suffer the pains, as well as the trials and tribulations o
life beyond physical pleasures.
tale, decaying and processed food makes for a Tamasic diet. Tamaasic diet consumes a large amount of energy while being digested. Refin
nd soft drinks, fast and ready-to-cook food, canned or frozen food, precooked and warmed food items like burgers, pizzas, pastries, and
xamples of tamasic food.
painful life. A tamasic person always at serious discomfort with himself and forgets to lead healthy a happy life. Ayurveda suggests that a
oth the sattvic and rajasic food in his/her diet. One can lead a long and healthy life by having a balance diet which includes sattvic and rajas
erb has specific physiological effects. There are six major tastes in Ayurveda that have specific qualities and effects on body. A balanced die
Sweet or Madhura – Sweet foods have earth and water elements and usually sattvic gun
person should avoid sweet foods as they increase it. In general, sweet foods are nourishi
Sour or Amla – Sour foods have earth and fire elements and usually Rajasic gunas. Suc
should avoid sour foods as they increase these doshas. In general, sour foods are warm,
d for vata people as they subdued this dosha, salty fods should be avoided by pitta and kapha person as they increase these doshas. In ge
asic. They are good for kapha person because they subdued this dosha but should be avoided by vata and pitta persons as these doshas in
e are good for pitta and kapha person as they subdued these doshas while vata person should avoid such foods as they increase it. In gene
These are good for pitta and kapha person as they subdued these doshas while vata person should avoid such foods as they increase it. In
e are five basic elements in Ayurveda air, water, earth, fire and ether that forms three basic doshas. each individual has his/her own compo
could be detrimental for another. For example, Vata is a cold dry dosha, hence person with Vata as predominant dosha need warm, nourish
uced. Instead starchy foods such as vegetables, grains and beans, salad, milk and ice cream should be included in the diet. Alcoholic and f
e root or other that pacify pitta.
portion for the second influential dosha also.
List of favorable food items
Nuts & Herbs & Spices
Seeds
Coconut Spices are
e Pumpkin generally avoided
seeds as too heating. In
Sunflower small amounts,
ck seeds the following
sweet and
ed astringent spices
ice are OK
ks Cardamom
Cilantro(green
coriander)
Cinnamon
ce Coriander seed
Dill
Fennel
Mint
Saffron
ar Turmeric
Plus small
amounts of cumin
and black pepper
List of unfavorable food items
Beverages Nuts & Seeds Herbs&
Spices
Apple cider berry All, except All pungent herbs and spices, except
juice (sour) mentioned above as noted. Take only the minimal
er caffeinated amounts of the following: Barbecue
beverages sauce
carbonated drinks Catsup
carrot juice cherry Mustard
juice (sour) chocolate Pickles
milk Salt
coffee cranberry Sour salad dressings
juice grapefruit juice Spicy condiments
iced tea Vinegar
iced drinks lemonade
papaya juice tomato
juice sour juices
ep kapha under balance warm, dry, light food cooked with less water and minimum of fat is needed. One should increase the use of pungen
al for kaphas. Kapha people usually have a tendency to overeating that should be controlled because it lead to weight gain due to slow dige
ken it should be very light. They can have foods such as hot-spiced cider, buckwheat pancakes with apple butter, corn muffins, and bitter co
y, hot water, lemon juice and ginger to energize themselves in the morning. Ginger tea can also be taken.
List of Favorable Food Items
es Nuts & Herbs & Spices
Seeds
a juice Sunflower All are good.
er apple seeds Ginger is
cot juice pumpkin especially good
e black tea seeds for improving
carob digestion
ce chai
ed milk)
ce (sweet)
y juice
ffee" grape
ngo juice
ctar pear
juice
nate juice
List of unfavorable Food Items
Nuts & Seeds Herbs &
Spices
All, except salt
sunflower seeds
and pumpkin
seeds
y
er, warm soups, stews, hot cereals, fresh baked bread, ripe fruits, salted nuts are good for vata. Breakfast is very important for vata people.
hey can opt herbal teas. Spicy Mexican or Indian foods that are cooked in oil also good for vata people. On the other hand cold foods such a
List of Favorable Food Items
List of Unfavorable Food Items
Oil Beverages Nuts & Seeds Herbs & Spices
at Flaxseed Apple Juice No restriction Caraway
Black Tea
Caffeinated
Beverages
Carbonated Drinks
Chocolate Milk
Coffee
Cold Dairy Drinks
Cranberry Juice
Ice Cold Drinks
Mixed Veg. juice
Pear Juice
Pomegranate Juice
Prune Juice
Soy Milk (cold)
itself to the outside environment. Every season brings about nurturing qualities and the body needs plug into the nature for rejuvenation.
For example, summer is hot season when temperature rises and our body need cool foods to subdued heat. Ayurveda further explains the re
are recommended to pacify the pitta imbalances. Winter is a vata season and cold, arthritis, rheumatism etc are more likely to occur, so Ayu
ease the chances for bronchial ailments and common colds etc, hence honey, millet and greens are advised for season to dry the body of t
sugar, margarine, preservatives, artificial
Ayurveda Training Program
ng II Introduction of Ayurveda Cooking II Ayurveda Food II Ayurveda Nutrition II Ayurveda Diet II Ayurveda Digestion II Ayurveda Ghee II Ay
iry :: About us :: Site Map :: Links
