The ancient Indian science of medicine focused on balancing physical, mental, and spiritual health through food, herbs, and spices.
Doshas: Three doshas (vata, pitta, and kapha) are central to Ayurveda and are believed to influence an individual's physical, mental, and emotional characteristics.
The Six Tastes: Ayurvedic cuisine incorporates six tastes - sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent - which balance the doshas.
Sattvic Food: Sattvic food is considered pure, clean, and light and is believed to have a positive impact on the mind and body.
Spices: Ayurvedic cuisine uses spices such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, and ginger to enhance flavor and balance the doshas.
Ayurvedic Cooking Techniques: Ayurvedic cooking techniques include sautéing with ghee or oil, boiling, and steaming.
Ayurvedic Recipes: There are many Ayurvedic recipes to choose from, including soups, stews, and curries that incorporate Ayurvedic principles.
Seasonal Eating: Ayurveda recommends eating seasonally and locally, as the body's needs change with the seasons.
Food Combining: Ayurveda teaches that food should be combined appropriately to aid in digestion and reduce internal disharmony.
The Importance of Digestion: Ayurveda recognizes digestive health as key to overall wellness and provides advice on how to optimize digestive function.
Dietary Guidelines: Ayurveda provides dietary guidelines rooted in individualized dosha balance for optimal physical, mental, and emotional health.
Vata cuisine: Vata cuisine is typically light, easy to digest, and warm in nature, making it ideal for balancing the Vata dosha. It contains mild spices and oils like ginger, cumin, sesame, and ghee. Foods in Vata cuisine include rice, soups, stews, and steamed vegetables.
Pitta cuisine: Pitta cuisine typically involves food that is cool, refreshing, and hydrating in nature. It contains mild spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and fennel. Pitta cuisine includes salads, juices, and cooling beverages like coconut water.
Kapha cuisine: Kapha cuisine is invigorating and hot, making it ideal for balancing the Kapha dosha. Kapha cuisine includes foods like spicy curries, soups, and roasted vegetables. It contains warming spices like black pepper, chili, and garlic.
Satvic cuisine: Satvic cuisine (or Shuddha Hindu cuisine) is a vegetarian, wholesome, and nourishing type of Ayurvedic cuisine. It includes foods that are high in prana (life energy), such as seasonal fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts. Satvic cuisine does not contain any processed, refined, or canned foods, and it avoids heavily spiced dishes.
Rajasic cuisine: Rajasic cuisine involves foods that are stimulating in nature and may tend to agitate the mind. It includes foods that are high in salt, sugar, and spices. Rajasic cuisine includes dishes like coffee, tea, or chocolate.
Tamasic cuisine: Tamasic cuisine is the most unhealthy and unbalanced type of Ayurvedic cuisine. It includes foods that are stale, overcooked, or heavily processed. Tamasic cuisine often includes meat, alcohol, and foods that are difficult to digest.