In Ayurveda, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, collectively and popularly known as the Doshas are the energetic forces of nature that make up your constitution. They express unique blends of physical, emotional and mental characteristics and can be found in everyone, but in different proportions. In other words, there is always one dominant Dosha. According to Dr Ruchi Gulati of Sukh Ayurveda, “There are three types of Doshas which are made from the five elements of nature – air, water, earth, space, and fire. These can determine our body temperament. But how do you know your type? And is an Ayurvedic diet based on your Dosha really helpful? It is said that an Ayurvedic diet is basically a personalized diet that suits and balances your unique Dosha, instead of aggravating it. If your primary Dosha is Pitta, your Ayurvedic diet will include almonds, raisins, green vegetables, unsalted butter, egg whites, and coconut. Meanwhile, Vata foods comprise of dairy products, eggs, fish, peanuts, flax seeds, and ghee. Some of the Kapha food items are cheese, bitter vegetables and celery. Dr Partap Chauhan, director, Jiva Ayurveda says, “There are two ways to determine your Dosha. You can either approach an Ayurveda doctor for a detailed Prakriti analysis, or you can take an online Prakriti test. We take a VPK test and based on that, we prepare a customized diet plan.”
But an Ayurvedic diet alone will do you no good if you are not regular about your meal timings, or eat your food without consciousness. Eating freshly cooked, easy to digest food in a clean and calm environment is equally important.
