The Ayurvedic diet originates in India and aims to promote longevity, vitality, physical, mental and emotional health. It does not function as a diet to cure diseases, but rather to prevent them and to improve the health of body and mind, which always go together.
As a consequence, this diet stimulates weight loss naturally as it promotes a lower consumption of carbohydrates and fats, helping to balance the doshas and improving the functioning of body and mind.
What are Doshas
The doshas are 3 biological forces or humors, based on natural elements, that lead to the balance or imbalance of body and mind:
- Dosha Vata : the air element predominates. When this energy is in imbalance, symptoms such as tiredness, anxiety, insomnia, constipation and bloating appear;
- Dosha Pitta: the fire element predominates. When in imbalance, it can cause irritation, high appetite, acne and reddish skin;
- Dosha Kapha : the water element predominates. When this energy is in imbalance, symptoms such as possessive behavior, weight gain, respiratory problems and excessive production of mucus can arise.
According to ayurveda, each individual possesses the 3 doshas, but one of them is always dominant over the others. This combination leads to unique people characteristics of body, mind and emotions. Based on this and on factors such as age and gender, Ayurvedic nutrition seeks to balance the relationship between these three forces to balance the health of body and mind.
Foods Allowed and Forbidden
Foods that are allowed and forbidden in the Ayurveda diet vary according to the doshas, but in general they are:
Foods allowed
One of the main points is to favor natural foods, fresh and free of preservatives and agrochemicals. Thus, foods such as fruits, organic vegetables and vegetables, milk and dairy products, and organic chicken, fish, olive oil, nuts, nuts and other nuts, whole grains, seasonings and natural condiments are also examples of healthy foods. See the main anti-inflammatory foods.
Prohibited Foods
Stimulant beverages, coffee, refined salt and sugar, red meats, white flour, soft drinks, sweets, fried foods, animal fats, alcohol and products with chemical additives should be avoided. It is also forbidden to smoke and overeat, as they also bring imbalance to the body.
Tips and Cautions
In addition to choosing food well, the ayurveda diet also advocates other care, such as:
- Avoid exchanging meals for sandwiches;
- Eat with attention, being aware that that food will influence the body and mind;
- Be more careful about the quality of the food than with the quantity;
- Eat calmly and chew food well;
- Drink plenty of water between meals.
In addition, it is recommended to have regular wake-up and sleep times, to do physical activity, to seek out good companies and harmonious environments, to read good books, and to develop practices that promote balance such as yoga and meditation. See the benefits of yoga.
Benefits of Diet
By balancing body and mind, the ayurveda diet helps reduce anxiety, combat depression, increase energy and well-being, bring peace and prevent allergies and chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
As this diet favors the use of fresh and natural foods, and stimulates a control in the amount of food consumed, it also leads to better weight control, favoring weight loss.
The Importance of Seasoning
In addition to food, the ayurveda diet also highlights the use of seasonings that, in addition to giving flavor, are allied to digestion. Some of the most used seasonings are turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, anise, rosemary, saffron, basil and parsley.
These seasonings are functional and antioxidant, aiding the digestive process and bringing benefits to the body, such as desinflamar, prevent diseases, strengthen the immune system and improve blood circulation.
Massala recipe
Massala is a combination of seasonings typical of ayurveda medicine, and should be done as shown below:
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon cumin powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon coriander seed powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon of clove powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg powder
Method of preparation:
Mix the ingredients and store in a tightly sealed glass jar.
