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Sai Sanjeevini......healing fragrances
PACIFYING/AGGRAVATING FOODS FOR THE 3 DOSHAS  

VATA PACIFYING FOODS &  LIFESTYLE:
 
 
General : Sweet, sour, salty; heavy, oily, hot. Regular habits, quiet (avoid TV), fluids (not junk drinks), handling stress without stress, rest, warmth, good regular nourishment, til oil massage. 
 
Favour : Warm foods, moderately heavy textures, soothing and satisfying foods. 
 
Vegetables : Asparagus, beets, carrots, cucumber, green beans, okra (bhindi), onions and garlic (not raw), radishes, sweet potatoes, turnips. 
 
Fruits : Bananas, coconuts, dates, mangoes, melons, peaches, all sweet fruits in general. 
 
Grains : Oats, rice and wheat (preferably cooked soft) 
 


VATA AGGRAVATING FOODS & LIFESTYLE:
 
 
General : Pungent, bitter, astringent; light, dry, cold. Irregularity, too much variety and excitement, skipping meals, exercising by fits and starts, talking or watching TV while eating, TV per se, stimulants like smoking, alcohol, junk food, sugar, tea (esp. long leaf teas and green tea), brown rice, A/C, fans, applying soap. 
 
Vegetables : Cabbage, cauliflower, celery, brinjal, leafy green vegetables, mushrooms, peas, peppers (simla mirch) potatoes, sprouts, tomatoes, zucchini (tori). If you do have these vegetables cook them in pure desi ghee or unrefined til oil. Tomatoes are best avoided except as a small addition to salads. 
 
Fruits : Apples, pears, pomegranates. 
 
Note: Vatas can have almost all spices and herbs in moderation When there is aggravated Vata, the following are to be taken with caution : coriander seeds (dhaniya powder), fenugreek (methi seeds), saffron, turmeric, parsley.


PITTA  PACIFYING FOODS &  LIFESTYLE:
 
 
General : Sweet, bitter, astringent; cold, heavy, dry. Moderation, coolness, attention to leisure, exposure to natural beauty, balance of rest and activity, music, aesthetic surroundings, ghee, coconut oil, olive oil, green coriander (dhaniya), coriander seeds, cardamom, sprouts and raw foods. 
 
Favour : Cool or warm but not steaming hot foods, moderately heavy textures, less fat. 
 
Vegetables & Fruits 
 
: Pittas can eat most vegetables and fruits. Exceptions are given below.
Grains : Barley, oats, wheat, parboiled rice. 
 


PITTA  AGGRAVATING  FOODS &  LIFESTYLE:
 
 
General : Pungent, sour, salty, hot, light, oily. Stimulants like smoking, alcohol, coffee, eating in a ruffled atmosphere or mood, unpleasant or disorderly surroundings, pickles, vinegar, fried foods, spicy foods, fermented foods, curds, almond, corn, til, mustard oil. 
 
Vegetables : Beets, carrots, brinjal, garlic, hot peppers, onions, spinach, tomatoes. 
 
Fruits 
 
: Sour and unripe fruits. If there is aggravated Pitta avoid grapefruit, papayas, peaches, bananas, apricots. 
 
Grains : Brown rice, corn, millet, rye. 
 


KAPHA  PACIFYING FOODS &  LIFESTYLE:
 
 
General : Pungent, bitter, astringent; light, dry, hot. Stimulating activity, regular exercise, weight control, variety of experience, warmth, dryness, reduced sweetness (honey being an exception). Massage with mustard oil. 
 
Favour : Warm light food, dry food cooked without much water, minimum of butter, oil and sugar, stimulating foods (ginger, chillies, pickles), raw foods, salads, fruits. 
 
Vegetables  
 
: Generally all vegetables are good, but if you are suffering from any kapha disorder like lung congestion, congestive asthma, sinuses, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, high cholestrol, then avoid all sweet juicy vegetables such as cucumbers, pumpkin family, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, tori, ghiya etc. 
 
Fruits : Apples, apricots, pears, pomegranates, dried fruits in general (apricots, figs, prunes, raisins) 
 
Lentils & Legumes : If the dosha is not aggravated all except tofu and kidney beans are acceptable. 
 
Grains : Barley, buckwheat, corn, millet, rye, bajra (in winter). 
 
Herbs and Spices : All are good - ginger is best for improving digestion, turmeric is excellent for drying out the mucous, chillies are excellent for removing mucous. 
 
 


KAPHA AGGRAVATING  FOODS &  LIFESTYLE:
 
 
General :  Sweet, sour, salty; heavy, oily, cold. Desserts, sweets, ice cream, deep fried foods, possessiveness, miserliness, laziness. 
 
Vegetables  
 
: As given above.
Fruits : All sweet juicy fruits in general. When kapha  is out of balance, stick only to the fruits listed above. 
 
Lentils & Legumes : Tofu and kidney beans. 
 
Herbs and Spices : Reduce salt. 
 
 


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