Vata Dosha Diet Plan (Ayurvedic Diet, Symptoms, Food List and Tips to Balance Vata Dosha)

rinAccording to Ayurveda, our body is mainly controlled by three energies – Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata stands for space and air, Pitta for fire and water and Kapha for water and earth. A dynamic balance of all these energies governs all things in life. A perfect balance of these energies helps our body to heal and stay healthy. If there is an imbalance in any of the energies, it will impede the body’s healing process. A Vata imbalance directly affects your health and behavior. Here is a detailed Vata Dosha Diet Plan (Ayurvedic Diet, Symptoms, Food List and Tips to Balance Vata Dosha)

Characteristics of Vata Prakruti people

• Vata represents the nervous system that controls breathing, blinking and circulation.
• People who are Vata dominant are of moderate weight, with dry skin and fine hair.
• They have extremely cold extremities, are sensitive to cold and have joint problems.
• These people are quick learners and impulsive, they are artistic and have an inclination towards music.
• They are cheerful, alert and creative.

Symptoms of Vata Dosha Imbalance?

Physical Symptoms of Vata Dosha Imbalance

• constipation
• gas
• dehydration
• Dry and rough skin
• body ache
• fatigue
• sleep disorders
• Sensitive to cold

Behave Symptoms of Vata Dosha Imbalance

• Fear
• nervousness
• Confused and afraid
• Run away from any difficult situation
• unnecessary talking
• Unnecessary body movements while sitting or standing

Effects of an untreated Vata imbalance

• muscle wasting and weight loss
• joint pain and stiffness
• Constant headache
• colic
• cramps
• Unexplained phobias

Causes of Vata dosha imbalance

• Winter, cold weather, and dry weather increase Vata dosha or make your Vata dominant
• Ingesting dry and cold food unbalances the Vata energy in the body
• Stress and emotional instability unbalance Vata

Tips to balance the Vata dosha

People with Vata imbalance tend to feel sad, anxious, insecure and depressed. It is best for people with excess Vata to indulge in some recreational activities that will help them overcome fear and worry. You can get involved in learning music, try art, or learn new hobbies. Engaging in hobbies will help them live a stress-free life.

Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of yoga in human life. A slow practice of some asanas will help reduce your vata dosha. You can do Vajrasan, Marjari Asana, Surya Namaskar, Warrior Pose, Tree Pose, Crocodile Pose and Shavasana. Breathing exercises help to relax the mind, normalize breathing, and build confidence and decision-making skills. Early morning walks under the rays of the rising sun are very good for balancing Vata.

A diet that helps balance Vata and increase the body’s calmness, heaviness and suppleness. According to Ayurveda, good gut health reflects a healthy body. People with Vata dosha have digestive problems, sensitive intestines, different appetites and tend to lose weight. These people should eat warm and easily digestible foods of kapha quality.

Vata imbalance leads to dryness all over the body, not just on the outer skin but also in the joints and good fats in the body. Massaging your body with sesame oil and sarso oil will help treat this dryness, thereby balancing the vata dosha. While massaging yourself with this oil, make sure to do both “Nasya” (drip oiling / dripping oil drops into your nostrils) and “Orifice Oiling” (dripping drops of oil or applying oil with the tip of your pinky into your ear cavity , navel and anus). The ancient Ayurvedic text swears by these processes to permanently balance your Vata.

Oil pulling, where you take a sip of oil in your mouth and keep rolling it in your mouth, not only helps balance Vata, it also lubricates the esophagus and whitens your teeth. Oil pulling has many health benefits.

Vata dosha diet plan

Grocery list to balance Vata Dosha

Foods that are naturally sweet in taste help balance Vata. These foods include grains, starchy fruits, and dried fruits. Sweet foods such as sugar, chocolate, desserts and baked goods do not balance Vata but can aggravate Vata dosha.

Citrus flavor helps neutralize Vata dosha. Consume acidic foods like lemon, tamarind, tomatoes and dry mango powder. Acidic foods balance acid production in the stomach and prevent hyperacidity, gas, bloating and discomfort.

Choose foods that are moderately salty but healthy at the same time. However, excessive salt intake can worsen Vata dosha. If wafers and chips are running through your mind right now, please give up that idea. Salty foods refer to foods that do not contain any sugar, jaggery, dates, or honey. Use sea salt instead of refined table salt.

Food that is naturally warm and temperature controls Vata dosha. Avoid foods that are cool or have a cooling effect. Avoid packaged, frozen foods, chilled beverages, raw vegetables and fruits, and frozen leftovers. It is advisable to consume freshly prepared food. You can have steamed vegetables and steamed/cooked salads.

Consume foods that are moist versus dry foods. You can add moisture to the food by adding quality ghee or water according to the preparation. People with dominant vata need to consume more water and fluids at room temperature to reduce vata dosha. Eat juicy fruits and vegetables like melons, berries, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. Drink buttermilk and whole milk to stay hydrated. In cold weather, consume warm soups to balance Vata energy.

Eat foods that are high in calories. But don’t eat too much in one meal. Try to eat food on a regular basis to balance your Vata. Eat foods that provide sufficient energy in small amounts.

• Choose soluble fiber over insoluble fiber

People with dominant Vata are prone to intestinal issues such as bloating, bloating, indigestion and constipation. Choose foods high in soluble fiber to help alleviate intestinal problems. Soluble fiber is easily digested and does not form fiber in the intestine. Choose foods like isabgol, starchy foods, root vegetables, grains and oats.

Foods to Avoid to Balance Vata Dosha

• Spicy foods: Avoid foods like chilies, raw onions and garlic, strong spices, radishes and beets.
• Bitter foods: Bitter-tasting foods have a body-cooling effect. These foods increase the Vata dosha.
• Astringent foods: It has a dry taste and a nature that degrades Vata dosha. Eating astringent foods makes your mouth dry. Avoid large legumes like Rajma. Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and some leafy green vegetables are best avoided. Certain astringent fruits such as apples, cranberries and pomegranates.
• Cold dishes: Avoid foods that are naturally cooling, such as chia seeds, sabja seeds, refrigerated foods, frozen foods, cold drinks, and stale foods.

Vata Dosha Diet Plan (Ayurvedic Diet)

Sample diet plan to balance Vata Dosha

Empty Stomach: 1 cup warm water with lemon juice

Breakfast: 1 cup milk + 1 cup vegetables Poha/Upma/Sevaiya

Morning: 1 fruit (starchy fruit like banana, mango, chicco, or berries)

Lunch: 1 cup stir fry + 1 cup rice or jowar or nachni roti + 1 cup leafy greens + 1 cup cottage cheese

Afternoon: 1 glass of buttermilk with black pepper and jeera powder

Snacks: 1 cup herbal milk or green tea + ½ cup cooked moong or 2 small moongdal chilas or ½ cup poha or upma

Dinner: 1 cup vegetable soup + 1 cup khichdi + 1 cup kadhi

bedtime: 1 cup warm milk with nutmeg

Final note:

It is important to identify the dominant energy in the body. It is also necessary to know what is causing the imbalance and to act accordingly. Appropriate food choices and lifestyle and behavior changes help keep Vata dosha in check and neutralize the body’s energies. I hope this Vata Dosha Diet Plan (Ayurvedic Diet, Symptoms, Food List and Vata Dosha Balancing Tips) proves helpful to you. To receive a personalized nutrition plan, write to us at care@dietburrp.com.