Friday, January 4, 2013

Eating the ayurvedic way

I've developed an interest in ayurvedic diets. I have always been intrigued by ayurveda, but was always slightly skeptical of its benefits. I had previously added it to my list of pseudo-sciences, along with homeopathy, chiropractics, and colonic cleansing (eek!).

Yet, there is a lot about ayurvedic doshas that paint me accurately. I am a pitta-vata. Pitta-vatas are normally medium-light build, sensitive, productive, and prefer hot and humid weatlher (if vata) or cold climates (if pitta). More information on your dosha type can be found on the Body and Soul website. If you need to identify your dosha, try doing this quick and easy quiz on the Yoga Journal.

The three different doshas that could affect your diet.
(Source)

Recently, I've been experiencing some pitta imbalance - feeling hungry, but experiencing frequent digestive problems, and vivid dreams. The foods that I need to avoid are anything sour and anything hot/spicy. Both are things that I love, so I am slightly distressed. Then again, there is no getting better if I don't take the first step. 

From a non-ayurvedic perspective, it makes sense to cut down on those foods anyway. Sour and spicy foods are generally very acidic, which can't be helpful for digestive issues! I'm also supposed to eat moderate amounts of dairy, which I am doing, one cup of yoghurt at a time.

This will be a hard diet to stick to when I'm on my trip to Asia (homeland of Spicy, oh no!). 

Has anyone else tried any ayurvedic treatments? I would love to read what you thought. 

6 comments:

  1. That sounds really interesting.. I went and did that quiz and I'm Pitta-Kapha.. but I guess I would only be Pitta depending on how I see my bone structure.. I think I'm sturdy and big boned compared to Asians but medium build when I compare myself to the general population...

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    1. Oops! My comment was a big ambiguous.. I meant that I classify as Pitta but I could also be Pitta-Kapha depending on how I view my bone structure.. I think that I'm big boned and could lose some weight when I compare myself to other Asians but I'm actually a pretty average size 8-10 build so I would be sort of medium structured compared to the general population. Hope that cleared things up :P

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    2. I'd say that's pretty average size Jen! It depends on your bone structure, if you're fine-boned then you'd be on the heavier side, but if you're tall and broad, that's a good size to be.
      So many things that go with ayurvedic doshas, including beauty treatments! Just saw ayurvedic wraps at my local ella bache... wonder if they tailor make that for your dosha as well.

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  2. Hi Hui. Came over to your blog for a visit. It's a beautiful site. :)
    I've added you to my blogroll at http://YogaSpeak.blogspot.com
    -- Anne

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Anne. Appreciate the add too. x

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  3. We have a new book out called The Ayurvedic Vegan Kitchen. It is a celebration of the benefits of Ayurveda and a vegan diet. Now vegans and anyone allergic to dairy products can follow the same nutritional principles as traditional Ayurveda with this breakthrough cookbook by certified Ayurvedic practitioner, Talya Lutzker. A digital book sampler is attached for review so please let me know if you need a hard copy as well. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you. Mary Ellen, maryellen@bookpubco.com

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