I drink a mug of bright green vegetable soup with coriander, chives, turmeric, and ginger. It’s very spicy and powerful enough to knock any cold into the head, making it especially perfect on freezing cold days. In January.
This amuse bouche (winter-spiced herbal rasam) is the first course of a new Ayurvedic-inspired set menu at Benares, a Michelin-starred restaurant in London’s Mayfair. Executive Chef Sameer Taneja has curated this menu based on Ayurvedic principles of balancing different types of energy in the body through spices, ingredients and food textures. This is just one example of the recent boom in interest in Ayurveda and consumption of Ayurvedic diets.
In fact, since the COVID-19 pandemic, attitudes towards natural healing, and herbal remedies in general, have changed. Holland & Barrett’s best-selling supplement of 2023 is H&B High Strength Turmeric Capsules #Ashwagandha, a staple of Ayurvedic medicine, trended on TikTok and ranked among the top most viewed topics of 2023.
Why shift?Dr. Sam Watts, Founder of Mind Body Medical, The lead Ayurvedic consultant at the West Sussex Ayurvedic Clinic believes that people find that “certain exercise programs, dietary frameworks, herbal medicine prescriptions, sleep patterns or self-care practices are transformatively positive.” And what may be health-promoting for one person may be equally harmful to another.”
Basically, there is no one-size-fits-all diet method. “Realizing this has led people to look into and explore whole-person medical systems built entirely on the requirements of personalized medicine. And in this capacity, Ayurveda holds the highest position.” ,” he says.
If you’re still thinking, “But what?” that’s right Is it Ayurveda? ‘ or ‘Is an Ayurvedic diet healthy?’ Here’s everything you need to know about the Ayurvedic diet and what you should consider if you’re thinking of trying it .
Meet the experts: Dr. Vijay Murthy is a leading integrative medicine specialist specializing in Ayurveda and functional medicine at the Mercy Clinic in London. Joe Woodhurst is Head of Nutrition at Ancient & Brave, one of his fastest growing wellness brands in the UK. Dr Sam Watts is the founder of Mind Body Medical and lead Ayurvedic consultant at the West Sussex Ayurvedic Clinic.
What is Ayurvedic diet?
Originating in India more than 5,000 years ago, the Ayurvedic diet is based on the principles of Ayurvedic medicine to balance energy within the body.
“Ayurveda simply translates to ‘knowledge of life’ (Ayur = life, Veda = science or knowledge),” explains Ancient & Brave’s head of nutrition, Jo Woodhurst. “It is rooted in India’s most cherished scriptures, known as the Vedas, which predate modern medicine by thousands of years.”
While modern nutrition often takes a one-size-fits-all approach, Ayurveda recognizes the uniqueness of each individual’s body shape and individualizes dietary prescriptions. Dr. Vijay Murthy, a leading expert on integrative medicine, explains: Mercy Clinic, London.
“Ayurvedic diets are based on understanding whether food is patya (right) or indifferent (wrong) for a person,” he says. “According to Ayurvedic medicine, food should not only nourish the body but also bring happiness to the mind. This is the key difference between modern diets and Ayurveda.”
Dr. Sam Watts adds that the Ayurvedic diet is highly nutritious and comprehensive across the entire spectrum of micro and macronutrients. “It’s completely individualized to the specific needs of the person using it,” he says.
What are doshas?
According to Ayurveda, the five elements that make up the universe are Vayu (air), Jala (water), Akash (space), Teja (fire), and Prithvi (earth). These elements are thought to form his three distinct doshas (or body types): Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, which relate to the energy circulating in the body.
“Everything from your personality to your body type is considered when determining your dosha,” says Woodhurst.
“Doshas indicate how every aspect of our mind and body functions as unique individuals,” explains Dr. Watts. “Thus, it’s often helpful to think of doshas as a more holistic version of Western genetics. Your unique ‘doshic make-up’ is therefore a combination of your physical appearance, how your organ systems work, your emotional and It informs you of your psychological profile, your likes and dislikes, your predisposition to disease, and all the other aspects that make you “you.”
three doshas
‘“Understanding your dominant dosha is key to gaining insight into which foods, activities, and herbs are thought to have a positive or negative impact on your health,” says Woodhurst.
“The food we eat is thought to play an important role in balancing the doshas. The six tastes of Ayurveda are associated with the five elements: sweet, salty, sour, pungent, and bitter. , astringency). Each is thought to increase or decrease a dosha, so which dosha you prefer will depend on your constitution.”
1. Vata (air + space)
“This is inherently cold, dry, light and rough, so eating food to counteract this is thought to create balance.” Vata energy warms and hydrates the body. , grounding foods and a diet rich in healthy fats,” says Woodhurst.
“Vata types have changes in their digestive fire, known as agni, which can cause irregularities in appetite and digestion,” adds Dr. Murthy. “They keep their bodies warm, grounded, and respond well to moist food, which helps balance their naturally cool and dry nature.”
Foods favorable to Vata include: Cooked grains such as rice, cooked vegetables, nuts, and dairy products. Warming spices such as ginger and cumin are effective.
Vata types should be kept to a minimum. Cold raw foods such as salads and raw fruits and vegetables, as well as astringent and bitter flavors that increase vata. Caffeine and other stimulants can also disrupt Vata.
2. Pitta (Tuesday + Water)
“Pitta is thought to be hot, oily, light, and sharp. Counteracting this with cool, astringent, and mild foods and herbs helps balance this dosha. That’s the key,” Woodhurst said.
Dr. Murthy agrees. “Pitta types have a strong digestive fire and can usually digest a wide variety of foods.” However, they are sensitive to hot, spicy, and acidic foods, which can throw them off balance. ”
Foods that are effective for pitta include:; Cool, refreshing things like cucumbers, sweet fruits, and dairy products (unless you have a tolerance). Bitter and sweet flavors generally balance Pitta.
Pitta people should be avoided. Avoid overly spicy, salty, and sour foods as they can aggravate Pitta. Alcohol and caffeine, which keep your body warm, should also be consumed in moderation.
3. Kapha (Wednesday + Saturday)
“Kapha tends to prefer heavy, cool, oily, smooth qualities, so light, dry, warming, coarse foods (think fiber) are the best balance here. factor,” Woodhurst said.
“Kapha types have slow and steady digestion and may be more prone to weight gain,” adds Dr Murthy. They grow on a light, warm, dry diet to counteract their natural wet and heavy nature.
Foods preferred by Kapha are: Light fruits like apples and pears, a little honey instead of sugar, and spices like turmeric and ginger to stimulate digestion.
Kapha people need to be reduced. Eating sweet, salty, and oily foods can lead to an increase in kapha. Heavy meals and excessive intake of wheat and dairy products can also throw Kapha out of balance.
What about eating seasonally?
Watts says Ayurveda aligns this dosha-specific dietary framework with the need to always eat seasonally. “This involves taking advantage of the law of ‘reverse decline’ and incorporating foods that counteract the energy of different seasons. ”
So, for example, in the summer, your diet should include more cooling, calming, and anti-inflammatory foods and “less hot, spicy, stimulating foods,” Dr. Watts says.
And in the winter, change your diet to include nutritious and comforting foods, “such as casseroles and stews with lots of raw, cold, or light foods such as garden salads,” he says. say.
Is Ayurvedic diet vegetarian?
Although the Ayurvedic diet originated in India, where vegetarianism is common, it does not specifically instruct people to avoid animal products, Woodhurst said. “Instead, we promote whole foods and nutrition with an emphasis on plants and encourage people to eat what is best for their body type.”
Is Ayurvedic diet healthy?
When applied correctly, an Ayurvedic diet is “obviously and extremely healthy,” says Dr. Watts. But like any diet, he warns, it can also be harmful. “If an individual adopts a diet that is in direct contradiction to his or her own individual needs, it can exacerbate such problems.”
For example, in Ayurveda, if you suffer from digestive issues such as acid reflux or heartburn, this is classified as a pitta dosha disorder, he explains. “Because Pitta is responsible for the activity of all heat and inflammation-based activity in the body.”
“To treat such problems, you need to consume foods that balance Pitta, thereby addressing the root cause of the problem. You need to consume food,” he continues.
However, if you consume foods that further exacerbate Pitta’s feverish and inflammatory nature, such as large amounts of pungent garlic and onions, red wine, spicy curries and chili peppers, they can further exacerbate the problem and cause stomach acid. This will worsen your reflux symptoms.
What is the conclusion? In a world where diet is absolute, the Ayurvedic diet stands out for its nuanced approach, says Dr. Murthy. “It is based on a deep understanding of the uniqueness of individuals and the environment in which they live,” he says. “Ayurvedic diets are healthy because they are not arbitrary and highly individualized. It is based on principles rather than food lists.”
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