Kapha Pacifying Diet
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Kapha is heavy, oily, cold, and liquid. These qualities make it easy for Kapha types to gain weight, so light, dry and warm foods are advised. If you feel like skipping a meal it’s usually no problem for a Kapha type. Kaphas don’t need to eat as often or as much as Pitta or Vata types due to their slower digestion. In fact, hot, pungent spices such as fresh ginger are recommended to increase their metabolism and improve their digestion. The Maharishi Ayurveda Kapha herbal seasoning will also help in this regard. Cooking tends to increase the Kapha qualities of food. That’s why lightly cooked foods are recommended as well as salads. “Dry” forms of cooking such as baking and broiling are recommended over “wet” types, such as deep frying, steaming and boiling. |
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Cold, heavy sweet foods such as milk, sugar, butter and ice cream all increase Kapha and can lead to congestion. One exception is uncooked honey – up to 2 tablespoons per day – which is highly recommended for its warming quality. To reduce congestion try honey in luke-warm water with ginger and fresh lemon juice or Maharishi Ayurveda Kapha tea. It is especially important for Kapha to avoid leftovers, as once food is older than 6 hours it starts to ferment and produce ama (toxicity) which then increases Kapha.
| Favour the following foods: | |
| General | Lighter diet. Dry, warm food and warm drinks. |
| Grains | Old grains (minimum of one year), barley, millet, corn, buckwheat, rye, oats, wheat, rice |
| Beans, dhal | All except tofu |
| Vegetables | Green leafy vegetables, asparagus, artichoke, carrot, cabbage, corn, beetroot (small amounts), cauliflower, broccoli, celery, peas, bell pepper, sprouts, white pumpkin, zucchini, okra (only dry-fried, non-slimy preparation), green papaya, tomato, tender and young eggplant, small radish, daikon radish, endive, garlic, onions, peas, spinach, swiss chard, bok choy and kale. |
| Dairy | Lassi and butter milk, low fat milk, small amounts of ghee |
| Sweeteners | Honey |
| Oils | Mustard, corn, sesame, all in small amounts |
| Nuts, seeds | Sunflower and pumpkin |
| Spices, condiments | All spices except salt; especially pungent and sharp spices (pepper, ginger, etc), lemon juice in small amounts |
| Fruits | Pomegranate, grapes, persimmons, cranberries, raisins, figs, dates - best with honey, peaches, apples, papaya, guava, quince and berries |
| Avoid or Reduce the following foods | |
| General | Large quantities of food, especially at night, or leftovers Unctuous, cold, heavy food. Sweet, sour and salty tastes |
| Grains | New grains, especially wheat and rice |
| Beans | Tofu (soya beans) |
| Vegetables | Sweet potatoes, tapioca - from casave, other tubers, beet greens, cucumber, pumpkin, taro, tomatoes, winter squash. |
| Dairy | Yoghurt, cream, butter, whole milk and ghee in large quantities |
| Sweeteners | Sugar cane products |
| Nuts | All nuts |
| Spices, condiments | Salt |
| Fruits | Avocado, banana, pineapple, oranges, melons, plums, prunes, mango, coconut, apricot |
Note Regarding Vegetarian Diet
It is not necessary to be a vegetarian in order to enjoy benefits from Ayurveda. Although a vegetarian diet is considered to be the most healthy diet in Ayurveda. Ayurveda also includes knowledge of which meats are most suitable for which types of individuals. In the treatment of many diseases, however, a vegetarian diet or moderation in the quantity of meat consumed may be recommended.
Modern medical research has also begun to find significant evidence that a properly balanced vegetarian diet may be the most healthy diet. For example research has shown that the incidence of colonic cancer and certain other cancers is lower in individuals following a vegetarian diet. In addition, the incidence of obesity, which is a major risk factor in many diseases including gall bladder disease, hypertension and adult onset diabetes, has been found to be lower in those following a vegetarian diet. Also those taking less meat in their diet have been found to have fewer problems with cholesterol, a major risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease.
Our diet is very important for our health. According to the American Cancer Society, up to 35% of the 900,000 new cases of cancer each year in the United States could be prevented by following proper dietary recommendations. Whatever diet has been recommended for use, please follow it in an easy and comfortable way. If you are currently eating meat on a regular basis, start by reducing the number of meals in which you include red meat (beef, pork, veal etc.) and substituting poultry and fish during these meals. Over a period of time, you will find that you are able to take less poultry and dish without creating strain on the physiology. If your diet becomes uncomfortable to you, please discuss it with your consultant.
Every-day herbals for Kaphas
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