Dosha Dietary Guidelines

VATA

ELEMENTS: Air and Ether

ELEMENT LACKING FROM PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CONSTITUTIONS:

  • Vata/ Kapha- Fire

  • Vata/ Pitta- Earth

SEASONS OF IMBALANCE

  • Autumn and Early Winter

TOP THREE FOOD CATEGORIES

  • Sweet, Sour, and Salty

MEAL IDEAS

  • Stewed Lentils or Beans, Porridge, Root Vegetable Purees, Pasta w/ Cheese, Yogurt, Other Fermented/ Pickled Products

OIL TO USE: Sesame

SPICES TO USE

  • Citrus Fruit, Flake Salt, Cinnamon, Black pepper, Sugar, Honey, Maple Syrup, Fennel Seed, Cumin Seed, Coriander Seed

SUPPOTIVE BEVERAGES

  • Red Wine, Kombucha, Apple Juice, Lavendar Tea, Water with Honey and Lemon, Golden Milk

When Vata energy is Highest:

  • 2-6am (lucid and vivid dreaming is common between these hours) and 2-6pm (great time period for creative work)

PITTA

ELEMENTS: Fire and Water

ELEMENT LACKING FROM PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CONSTITUTIONS:

  • Pitta/ Kapha: Air and Space

  • Pitta/ Vata: Earth

SEASONS OF IMBALANCE

  • Late Spring and Summer

TOP THREE FOOD CATEGORIES:

  • Sweet, Bitter, and Astringent

MEAL IDEAS

  • Grain/ Rice Bowls, Salads (during the summer), Smoothies, Tomato Sauce, Root Vegetable Based Dishes, Snacks between Meals

OIL TO USE: Coconut

SPICES TO USE

  • Honey, Coconut, Green Tea, Dark Chocolate, Herbs (like parsley, thyme, marjoram)

SUPPOTIVE BEVERAGES

  • Glden Milk, Coffee, Herbal Tea, Apple Juice, Beer (if desired)

When Pitta Energy is Highest: 10am-2pm (eat the biggest meal of your day) and 10pm to 2am (best to go to bed before 10pm to avoid hitting a second burst of energy

KAPHA

ELEMENTS: Earth and Water

ELEMENT LACKING FROM PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CONSTITUTIONS

  • Kapha/ Pitta: Air and Space

  • Kapha/ Vata: Fire

SEASONS OF IMBALANCE

  • late Winter and Spring

TOP THREE FOOD CATEGORIES

  • Pungent, Bitter, and Astringent

MEAL IDEAS

  • Curried Vegetables and Purees, Tomato Sauce, Sauted Bitter Greens (Chard), Vegetable Soup, Light/ High Protein Grains (quinua)

OIL TO USE: Sunflower

SPICES TO USE

  • Red Pepper Flakes, Cayenne, Paprika, Chilis, Ginger, Garlic

SUPPOTIVE BEVERAGES

  • Green Tea, Coffee, Turmeric Tea, Grapefruit Jice

When Kapha Energy is Highest: 6am-10am (recommended time period to wake up and practice movement and exercise) and 6pm- 10pm (last meal of the day should be eaten before 8pm; having a wind down routine is a great way to prepare the body for sleep)