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Note:
See lesson #69 on kundalini symptoms, imbalances and remedies for a
discussion of the doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The use of Ayurveda in Advanced Yoga
Practices is decidedly yogic, aimed primarily at facilitating a smooth journey along the
road to enlightenment.
The much-used Ayurveda diet guidelines below have been hanging on the inside of a cupboard
door in Yogani's kitchen for over 20 years. If the source were known, credit would be
given. This is an excellent reference chart to check when you are on the way to the
refrigerator, assuming you know which of your doshas is out of balance. It is not hard to
tell with some basic knowledge in hand.
None of these diet guidelines are iron-clad. For example, if you are having imbalances in
both vata (emotions) and pitta (fire), the classic kundalini conundrum, then what to do?
The vata and pitta pacifying diets are at odds in many categories. It then becomes a
matter of tiptoeing through the inner energies, favoring pitta pacifying foods here, and
vata pacifying foods there, according to the experiences of the day, week and month.
Taking this approach can work, and has. Getting the diet right is often a process of trial
and error. So it is in dealing with any combination of dosha imbalances.
On a path utilizing advanced yoga practices, there can shifts in dosha balances as the
energies become active and are purifying the nervous system at rapid rate, arriving
ultimately at the state where the yogi or yogini becomes practically impervious to the
effects of just about any kind of food.
These diet guidelines can help a lot when used with good common sense. Keep up your spinal
breathing pranayama (the best dosha balancer of all), and carry on with prudence, using
the principles of self-pacing to your best advantage.
The guru is in you.
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Vata, Pitta and Kapha guidelines are given for 11 food categories: Fruits, Vegetables,
Grains, Animal Foods, Legumes, Nuts, Seeds, Sweeteners, Condiments (seasonings), Dairy,
and Oils.
Fruits
Vata:
Yes - sweet fruits, apricots, avocado, bananas, berries, cherries, coconut,
figs (fresh), grapefruit, grapes, lemon, mango, melons (sweet), oranges, papaya, peaches,
pineapple, plums
No - dried fruits, apples, cranberries, pears, persimmon, pomegranate,
watermelon
Pitta:
Yes - sweet fruits, apples, avocado, coconut, figs, grapes (dark), mango,
melons, oranges (sweet), pears, pineapple (sweet), plums (sweet), pomegranate, prunes,
raisins
No - sour fruits, apricots, berries, bananas, cherries, cranberries,
grapefruit, grapes (green), lemons, oranges (sour), papaya, peaches, pineapples (sour),
persimmon, plums (sour)
Kapha:
Yes - apples, apricots, berries, cherries, cranberries, figs (dry), mango,
peaches, pears, persimmon, pomegranate, prunes, raisins
No - sweet & sour fruits, avocado, bananas, coconut, figs (fresh)
grapefruit, grapes, lemons, melons, oranges, papaya, pineapple, plums
Vegetables
Vata:
Yes - cooked vegetables, asparagus, beets, carrots, cucumber, garlic, green
beans, okra (cooked), onion (cooked), potatoes (sweet), radishes, zucchini
No – raw vegetables, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower,
celery, eggplant, leafy greens, lettuce*, mushrooms, onions (raw), parsley*, peas,
peppers, potatoes (white), spinach*, sprouts*, tomatoes (* indicates okay in moderation
with oil dressing)
Pitta:
Yes – sweet & bitter vegetables, asparagus, broccoli, brussels
sprouts, cabbage, cucumber, cauliflower, celery, green beans, leafy greens, lettuce,
mushrooms, okra, peas, parsley, peppers (green), potatoes, sprouts, zucchini
No – pungent vegetables, beets, carrots, eggplant, garlic, onions,
peppers (hot), radishes, spinach, tomatoes
Kapha:
Yes – pungent & bitter vegetables, asparagus, beets, broccoli,
brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, eggplant, garlic, leafy greens,
lettuce, mushrooms, okra, onions, parsley, peas, peppers, potatoes (white), radishes,
spinach, sprouts
No – sweet & juicy vegetables, cucumber, potatoes (sweet),
tomatoes, zucchini
Grains
Vata:
Yes – oats (cooked), rice, wheat
No – barley, buckwheat, corn, millet, oats (dry), rye
Pitta:
Yes – barley, oats (cooked), rice (basmati), rice (white), wheat
No – buckwheat, corn, millet, oats (dry), rice (brown), rye
Kapha:
Yes – barley, corn, millet, oats (dry), rice (small amount –
basmati), rye
No – oats (cooked), rice (brown), rice (white), wheat
Animal Foods
Vata:
Yes – beef, chicken/turkey (white meat), eggs (fried/scrambled),
seafood
No – lamb, pork, rabbit, venison
Pitta:
Yes – chicken/turkey (white meat), eggs (whites), rabbit, shrimp (small
amount), venison
No – beef, eggs (yoke), lamb, pork, seafood
Kapha:
Yes – chicken/turkey (dark meat), eggs (not fried or scrambled),
rabbit, shrimp, venison
No – beef, lamb, pork, seafood
Legumes
Vata:
Yes – mung beans, tofu, black & red lentils
No – all other legumes
Pitta:
Yes – all legumes except lentils
No – lentils
Kapha:
Yes – all legumes except as listed
No – kidney beans, soy beans, black lentils, mung beans
Nuts
Vata:
Yes – all nuts in small quantities
Pitta:
Yes – coconut
No – all other nuts
Kapha:
No – no nuts at all
Seeds
Vata:
Yes – all seeds in moderation
Pitta:
Yes – sunflower, pumpkin
No – all other seeds
Kapha:
Yes – sunflower, pumpkin
No – all other seeds
Sweeteners
Vata:
Yes – all sweeteners except white sugar
No – white sugar
Pitta:
Yes – all sweeteners except molasses and honey
No – molasses, honey
Kapha:
Yes – raw honey
No – all other sweeteners
Condiments
Vata:
Yes – all spices are good
Pitta:
Yes – coriander, cinnamon, cardamom, fennel, turmeric, black pepper
(small amount)
No – all other spices
Kapha:
Yes - all condiments except salt
No – salt
Dairy
Vata:
Yes – all dairy in moderation
Pitta:
Yes – butter (unsalted), cottage cheese, ghee, milk
No – buttermilk, cheese, sour cream, yogurt
Kapha:
Yes – ghee, goat milk
No – all other dairy
Oil
Vata:
Yes – all oils are good
Pitta:
Yes – coconut, olive, sunflower, soy
No – almond, corn, safflower, sesame
Kapha:
Yes – almond, corn, sunflower (all in moderation)
No – all other oils
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