As we move further into Autumn and Winter Vata dosha is most active. Vata (air & ether) is the "moving", quickly changing dosha and it adapts quickly to positive changes in diet.
As Vata dosha can give erratic digestion, well-cooked foods are best for Autumn and Winter in general such as hearty stews and dhal, soups, pastas, slow-cooked casseroles, fresh-baked bread and fruit pies.
Favor a diet of freshly cooked, whole foods that are soft or mushy in texture, rich in protein and fat, seasoned with a variety of warming spices, and served warm or hot. These foods will help to lubricate and nourish the tissues, preserve moisture, and maintain warmth, all while supporting proper digestion and elimination. Vata often forgets to eat, so you can also balance vata by creating a sense of routine around your meals and being careful not to skip breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Eating Tips for Vata Season
- Use spice to warm up digestion – ginger, cinnamon, fennel and cardamom. Use Dahl & Kitchari Spice Mix to sprinkle on foods to settle Vata
- Favor warm, moist, soothing foods such as warm milk, cream, butter, warm soups and long-cooked stews, hot cereals and fresh-baked bread as they will soothe you best.
- When feeling nervous, worried or anxious a bowl of hot oatmeal, or cup of creamed vegetable soup will help you feel much better than a sugar-rich drink or chocolate bar.
- Drink plenty of warm or hot liquids such as Vata Tea ~ At Ease and avoid ice-cold and carbonated drinks
- Drink Lassi, a traditional Indian drink to help rid the body of excess Vata at lunch time. See below for recipe.
- Have your main meal of the day at noon when your digestion is strongest.
- At dinner have hot soup instead of salad, bread and butter, and a warm dessert such as baked apples, a slice of pumpkin bread, or rice pudding. Or have a hot breakfast cereal again.
- Avoid eating late at night as your body will feel worse in the morning.
- A warm tonic drink life Women's Sleep Tonic is tasty and supports deep sleep.
Lassi Recipe (serves 2)
Ingredients
- 1 cup filtered water
- 1/4 cup plain unsweetened yogurt
- 1 tablespoons Sucanat or other sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated ginger or 1/8 teaspoon dry ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
Directions
Place all the ingredients into a blender and blend for 2 minutes. Drink after lunch. Good for all doshas. Blending the yogurt kindles the agni principle.
Learn more > Vata General Food Guidelines
Resource:
Lad, Usha, Ayurvedic cooking for self-healing, The Ayurvedic Press, 1994
