Balanced Food

By Shyam Mehta

Every person has a basic constitution that does not change from birth to death. From time to time he or she has illnesses or other disturbances.

This constitution is characterized by his or her Ayurvedic tri-dosha balance [x% kapha, y% pitta, 1-x%-y% vatta].

The food that you eat should optimally correspond to your tri-dosha balance. Over time, as your yoga practice develops, you become much more sensitive to what you eat and you prefer vegetarian, fresh, light food.

Your diet also needs to change if you want to become fit, or want to reduce weight.

Here is a list of how various foods help or harm your tri-dosha balance to move towards harmony [1/3/1/3/1/3]. A "-1" implies that this food is bad for a person with this excess, a "1" is good for you (in moderation). For example, unsalted butter in moderation is good for someone with an excess of pitta energy in their system (that is, their pitta proportion exceeds 33.3%). It is also good if he or she also has an excess of kapha, but not so good if there is an excess of vata.

Community Comments:

Our health is very much determined by the kind of food we intake. The balanced food which contains all nutrients is an ideal food but cause of fast running life-style we normally don’t emphasize on its importance. Here is one more fact which should be considered before following any diet plan whether they are Atkins Diet, Zone Diet, Vegetarian Diet, Vegan Diet, Weight watchers Diet, South Beach Diet or Mediterranean Diet i.e. Ayurvedic Tri-dosha of everybody is not same. There are three types of tri-dosha found in a human body. They are kapha, pitta and vatta.

Whatever edibles we take in, should be related to this basic element of body. Avoiding our Ayurvedic Tri-Dosha Balance leads us to ill-health and leaves us miserable. It is very important to have a conscious pause at our edibles, think about its nutrition number and then enjoy it to the fullest or replace it with something nutritious if nutrition number is really low!! I know all that required is a lot of discipline but it should be like EAT TO LIVE…NOT LIVE TO EAT!!

	Vata	Pitta	Kapha
Dairy
Butter Salted	1	-1	-1
Butter Unsalted	-1	1	1
Buttermilk	1	-1	-1
Cheese hard	-1	-1	-1
Cheese soft	1	-1	-1
Cheese soft, not aged, unsalted	1	1	-1
Cottage cheese	1	1	-1
Cottage cheese, fr skimmed goat's milk	1	1	1
Cow's milk	1	1	-1
Cow's milk powdered	-1	-1	-1
Cow's Milk Semi Skimmed	1	1	1
Cream Cheese	1	1	-1
Cream sour	1	-1	-1
Egg White	1	-1	-1
Egg Yolk	1	-1	1
Ensure	1	-1	1
Ghee	1	1	1
Goat's cheese unsalted, not aged	1	-1	1
Goat's cheese, soft, unsalted	1	1	-1
Goat's milk	1	1	-1
Goat's milk powdered	-1	1	-1
Goat's milk, skimmed only	1	1	1
Margerine	-1	-1	-1
Soya Milk (hot)	1	1	1
Tofu	1	1	-1
Yeast	-1	1	1
Yoghurt diluted	1	1	1
Yoghurt diluted & Spiced	1	-1	-1
Yoghurt plain/frozen/with fruit	-1	-1	-1
Yoghurt, freshly made & diluted	-1	1	-1
Seeds
Black sesame seeds	1	1	1
Sunflower seeds	1	1	1
Pumpkin seeds	1	1	-1
White sesame seeds	1	1	1
Watermelon seeds	1	1	1
Lotus seeds	1	1	-1
Nuts
Almonds	1	-1	1
Chestnuts	1	-1	-1
Chinese almond	1	1	1
Coconut	1	1	-1
Hazelnuts	1	1	-1
Macadamia	1	1	1
Mixed nuts x walnuts	1	-1	-1
Peanuts	1	1	1
Pecan	1	-1	1
Pine nuts	1	1	-1
Pistaschio	1	-1	1
Walnuts	1	1	-1
Pulses, beans, legumes
Aduki beans	-1	1	1
Beans White	-1	1	1
Bitter Gourd (alt to lentils)	-1	1	1
Black (Eyed) Beans	-1	1	1
Brown (Puy/Massoor) lentils	-1	1	1
Butter beans	1	1	1
Chick peas Garbanzos	-1	1	1
Kidney beans	-1	-1	-1
Lima Beans	-1	1	1
Miso	1	-1	1
Moong Dahl Yellow	1	1	-1
Mung beans/Split mung with husk	1	1	-1
Mung Whole	-1	1	1
Navy beans	-1	1	1
Peas dried	-1	1	1
Pinto Beans	-1	1	1
Red split lentils/beans	1	1	1
Soy beans	-1	1	-1
Soy cheese	1	1	-1
Soy Flour	-1	1	-1
Soy milk	1	1	1
Soy Powder	-1	-1	-1
Soy Sauce	1	-1	-1
Soy sausages	1	1	1
Soya	-1	1	-1
Split peas	-1	1	1
Tempeh	-1	1	1
Tofu	-1	1	1
Tofu cold	-1	1	-1
Toor Dahl	-1	-1	1
Urud	-1	-1	-1
Vegetables-Leafy
A Most Cooked	1	-1	1
A Most Frozen, dried	-1	1	1
A Most Pungent	1	-1	-1
A Most Pungent & Bitter	-1	1	1
A Most Sweet, bitter	1	1	1
A Most Sweet, juicy	1	1	-1
Artichoke	-1	1	1
Artichoke Jerusalem	-1	1	1
Beet greens	-1	-1	1
Broccoli	-1	1	1
Brussel sprouts	-1	1	1
Cabbage	1	1	1
Cabbage, Green	1	1	1
Cauliflower	1	1	1
Chinese broccoli	1	1	1
Chinese green	1	1	-1
Choy sum	-1	-1	1
Dandelion greens	-1	1	1
Green leafy veg	-1	1	1
Leeks	1	1	1
Lettuce	-1	1	1
Lettuce Gem	-1	1	1
Mustard greens	1	-1	1
Ong Choy	-1	-1	1
Pak choy	-1	1	1
Parsley	-1	1	1
Spinach	1	1	1
Watercress	1	1	1
Wheat grass sprouts	-1	1	1
Vegetables-Salads, Raw
A Most vegetables	-1	1	-1
Beets	1	-1	1
Cabbage	-1	1	1
Carrot	1	-1	1
Cauliflower	-1	1	1
Corn fresh	-1	-1	1
Cucumber	1	1	-1
Leeks	1	-1	1
Lettuce	-1	1	1
Onions	-1	-1	1
Parsley	-1	1	1
Peas	-1	1	1
Radish	-1	-1	1
Spinach	-1	-1	1
Tomato	-1	-1	-1
Vegetables- Non Leafy
A Most Cooked	1	-1	1
A Most Frozen, dried	-1	1	-1
A Most Pungent	-1	-1	1
A Most Pungent & Bitter	-1	1	1
A Most Sweet, bitter	1	1	1
A Most Sweet, juicy	1	-1	-1
Asparagus	1	1	1
Aubergine/eggplant	-1	-1	1
Bean sprouts	1	1	-1
Beetroot/beets	1	1	1
Bitter Melon	-1	1	1
Broad beans	1	1	1
Burdock root	-1	-1	1
Carrot	1	1	1
Carrot White	1	1	1
Celery	-1	1	1
Chick peas	-1	-1	-1
Chilli green	1	-1	1
Cilantro	1	1	1
Corn on cob	-1	-1	1
Courgette	1	1	1
Cucumber	1	1	-1
Dried mushroom	-1	1	1
Fennel/ Anise	1	1	1
Fresh mushroom	-1	1	1
Garlic	1	-1	1
Green beans	1	1	1
Horse radish	1	-1	1
Kale	-1	1	1
Kohlrabi	-1	-1	1
Lemon	1	1	-1
Lotus root	-1	1	1
Marrow	1	1	-1
Olives black	1	1	-1
Olives green	-1	-1	-1
Onions	1	1	1
Parsnip	1	1	-1
Peas	1	1	1
Peppers Hot	-1	-1	1
Peppers, sweet	-1	1	1
Potato Sweet	1	-1	1
Potatoes sweet	1	1	-1
Potatoes white	-1	1	1
Prickly pear, Fruit	-1	-1	1
Prickly pear, Leaves	-1	1	1
Pumpkin	1	1	-1
Radish	1	1	1
Radish Daikon	1	-1	1
Runner beans	-1	1	1
Rutabaga	1	1	1
Spaghetti squash	-1	1	-1
Spring onion	1	1	1
Sprouts not spicy	-1	1	1
Sprouts spicy	-1	-1	1
Squash winter	1	1	-1
String beans	-1	-1	-1
Suede	-1	1	-1
Taro root	1	1	-1
Tomato	1	-1	1
Turnip greens	-1	-1	1
Turnips	-1	-1	1
Yam	1	-1	1
Zucchini	1	1	-1
Beverages-Non Alcoholic
Coconut milk	1	1	1
Fresh vegetable juice	1	1	1
Black coffee (fresh beans)	-1	1	1
Lactose	1	1	1
Fruit juice	-1	1	1
Black tea	1	1	-1
Cocoa	1	1	1
White coffee	-1	1	1
Indian tea	1	1	-1
Glutamate	-1	-1	1
Horlicks	1	1	-1
Beverages - Alcoholic
Beer	1	1	1
Red Wine	-1	-1	1
White Wine	1	1	-1
Herbal Teas
Nettle tea	1	1	1
Mint tea	1	1	1
Camomile	1	-1	1
China tea	-1	-1	1
Green tea	1	1	-1
Chrysanthumum tea	1	-1	-1
Fruit
Most astringent fruits	1	1	1
Most sour fruits	-1	-1	1
Most sweet & sour fruits	-1	1	-1
Most sweet fruits	1	1	1
Apple sauce	1	1	1
Apples cooked	1	1	1
Apples sour	-1	-1	1
Apples sweet	-1	1	1
Apricot	1	-1	1
Apricots sour	1	-1	1
Avocado	1	1	-1
Banana	1	-1	-1
Berries Sour	1	-1	1
Berries sweet	1	1	1
Cherries sour	1	-1	1
Cherries sweet	1	1	1
Chinese pear	1	-1	-1
Cranberries	-1	-1	1
Dates, fresh	1	1	-1
Figs	1	1	-1
Gooseberries	-1	-1	-1
Grapefruit	1	-1	-1
Grapes green/white	1	-1	-1
Grapes red& purple	1	1	-1
Guava	1	-1	-1
Kiwi	1	-1	-1
Lemon	1	-1	-1
Lime	1	1	-1
Lychee	1	1	1
Mangoes green	1	-1	-1
Mangoes ripe	1	1	-1
Melon	1	1	-1
Oranges sour	1	-1	-1
Oranges sweet	1	1	-1
Papaya	1	-1	-1
Passion fruit	1	1	1
Peach	1	-1	1
Pears	-1	1	1
Persimmon	-1	-1	1
Pineapple sour	1	-1	-1
Pineapple sweet	1	1	-1
Plums sour	1	-1	-1
Plums sweet	1	1	-1
Pomegranite	-1	1	1
Prunes soaked	1	1	1
Raisins soaked	1	1	1
Rhubarb	1	-1	-1
Strawberries	1	-1	1
Tamarind	1	-1	-1
Tangerine	-1	1	1
Water melon	-1	1	-1
Dry Fruits
A Most dry fruit	-1	1	-1
Sultana	1	1	1
Figs	-1	1	1
Prunes	-1	1	1
Currants	1	1	-1
Dates	-1	-1	-1
Raisins	-1	1	1
Oils
Olive oil	1	1	1
Sunflower oil	1	1	1
Humuus	1	1	1
Tahini	1	1	-1
Palm oil	1	1	-1
Corn oil	1	1	1
Silfa flower	1	-1	-1
Sesame oil (ext)	1	1	1
Saaflower oil	1	-1	1
Grains
Rice	-1	1	1
Sago	-1	-1	-1
Millet	-1	1	1
Basmati rice	-1	-1	1
Oatmeal	-1	1	-1
Corn meal	-1	-1	1
Rye	-1	1	-1
Wheat bran	-1	1	-1
Tapioca	-1	-1	1
Semolina	-1	1	1
Barley flour	-1	1	-1
Oats	-1	-1	1
Wheat flour	-1	1	-1
Soya	-1	-1	1
Breads, etc
Rice cakes	1	1	1
Ryvita	-1	1	-1
Puri	1	-1	1
Pitta bread	-1	1	-1
Fresh bread	1	-1	1
Chappati	1	1	-1
Pasta	-1	-1	1
Cereals
Sugar puffs	-1	1	1
Cornflakes	-1	1	-1
Sweetners
Barley malt	1	1	-1
Fructose	1	1	-1
Fruit juice concentrate	1	1	1
Honey raw, not processed	1	-1	1
Molasses	1	-1	-1
Sugar white	-1	1	-1
Honey raw, other	1	-1	-1
Jaggery	1	-1	-1
Maple syrup	1	1	-1
Rice Syrup	1	1	-1
Sucanat	1	1	-1
Turbinado	1	1	-1
Sweets
Blancmange	-1	1	1
Halva	1	-1	1
Chocolate	1	1	-1
Sweet biscuits	-1	-1	1
Indian sweets	1	-1	-1
Cakes	-1	1	1
Icecream	1	1	-1
Sponges	1	1	-1
Water lolly..	-1	1	1
Spices, Herbs, Condiments
Basil	1	-1	1
Bee pollen	-1	1	1
Cardamon	1	1	-1
Corriander	1	1	1
Curry leaf	1	-1	1
Ginger	-1	-1	1
Lemon grass	1	-1	-1
Mint	-1	1	1
Nutmeg	1	-1	-1
Pepper, black	1	1	1
Tamarind	1	1	1
Tumeric	-1	-1	1
Mango chutney sweet	1	1	-1
Mango pickle	1	-1	-1
Dulse	1	-1	-1
Gomasso	1	-1	-1
Hijiki	1	1	-1
Kelp	1	-1	-1
Tomato Ketchup	1	-1	-1
Kombu	1	1	1
Lime Pickle	1	-1	-1
Mayonnaise	1	-1	-1
Mustard	1	-1	-1
Pickles	1	-1	-1
Scallions	1	-1	-1
Seaweed	1	-1	-1
Tamari	1	-1	-1
Vinegar	1	-1	-1
Mustard no vinegar	1	-1	1
Salt	1	-1	-1
Mustard	-1	-1	-1
Miscellaneous
Soya sauce	1	1	1
Marmite	1	1	1
Seaweed	1	-1	-1
Deep fried	1	1	1
Chinese fungus	1	1	1
Meat
Beef	1	-1	-1
Chicken dark	1	-1	-1
Duck	1	-1	-1
Lamb	-1	-1	-1
Pork	-1	-1	-1
Turkey dark	1	-1	-1
Veal	1	1	1
Chicken white	-1	1	1
Rabbit	-1	1	1
Venison	-1	1	1
Turkey white	-1	1	1
Buffalo	1	1	-1
Fish
Cod	1	1	1
Halibut	-1	1	-1
Herring	1	-1	1
Plaice	1	-1	1
Salmon	1	-1	-1
Sardine	1	-1	-1
Sole	-1	1	1
Trout	1	1	-1
Tuna	1	-1	-1
A Freshwater	1	1	1
A Sea	1	-1	-1
Seafood
Lobster	1	1	1
Oysters	-1	-1	1
Mussels	1	1	-1
A General	1	-1	-1
Shrimp	1	1	1

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