ForkBytes

Note: this piece first appeared in the August 2005 issue of Clark Wellness ForkBytes.

Ayurveda (literally, “knowledge of life”) is the ancient science of health and healing used for thousands of years in India. The system is rich and complex, steeped in tradition—and an incredibly sophisticated and effective tool for finding balance and wellness. I often turn to ayurveda with my clients when we are trying to fine-tune the diet or lifestyle choices to bring someone to the next level of health and vitality.

The theory behind ayurveda rests on the three doshas: kapha, pitta, and vata. Everything we encounter, from body types and yoga poses to seasons and foods, possesses the energy of these doshas to varying degrees.

Kapha dosha refers to spring, birth, childhood, and growth. Kapha body types tend to be large, strong, and slow. Kaphas attract things; they hold on to weight, water, and fat. The foods that are most beneficial for the kapha body type are light, dry foods, as well as warming foods and spices to help them burn the fat their bodies naturally try to keep. Beans, quinoa, spinach, dandelion, salads, cayenne, pepper, and ginger are all great choices for kapha-dominant bodies.

Pitta dosha refers to summer, adulthood, productivity, and accomplishments. Pitta body types are focused, muscular, and athletic. Pittas are driven and sometimes aggressive. They should avoid warming and spicy foods—they’re hot enough as it is! Balancing foods for pitta types include peppermint tea, fresh lime, lighter proteins, dark leafy greens, and sweet vegetables.

Vata dosha refers to winter, wisdom, and old age. Vata types are spiritual and creative, quick thinkers. They tend to live in their heads, so they need grounding foods and exercise to get them back into their bodies. Vatas do well on creamy-tasting soups, mashed sweet potatoes, root vegetables, and heavier grains.

The goal of ayurveda is to balance out the three types. Each type has its own strengths and shortcomings; no type is better or more desirable than the other. If you are naturally a pitta type, for example, you will require certain foods to give you more vata and kapha energy; a kapha type will require different foods to balance his or her body. Our needs change as our age, our circumstances, and the seasons change.

We’re currently in the height of summer—pitta season. Amazingly, the planet provides just what our bodies need to combat the heat in the summer harvest. It’s best to reduce rich and fatty foods during this time since they are very warming to the body (and they’re not in season anyway). Instead, emphasize cooling summer fruits and vegetables, especially sweet fruits, such as grapes, cherries, melons, and plums, and cooling veggies, such as asparagus, cucumbers, celery, lettuce, and green beans. A high-carbohydrate diet (with lots of fruits and vegetables) is appropriate in the summer, as the body demands high-energy foods.