In Ayurveda, people are classified according to three principles, Vata, Kapha, and Pitta.
Pitta Characteristics :
* Determination
* Strong willed
* Good digestion
* Initiative
* Energy
* Passionate about many things
Ayurveda's Pitta Diet:
- Ayurveda's Pitta constitution is calmed by cooling foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Bitter green vegetables.
- Fruits include sweet berries, sweet apples and apricots, coconut, figs, mango, sweet oranges and pineapples, plums, watermelon, pomegranates, and prunes.
- Dairy products, though sour cream, hard cheeses, milk, cottage cheese, soft cheeses.
- Grains that suit pitta body types include barley, basmati rice, and wheat .
- Lot of protein.
- Spices that are cooling in nature are also important. These include coriander, cumin, mint, parsley, dill and fennel.
- Garlic should be avoided though as it is too heating.
Vata Characteristics :
* Flexibility
* Quick mind
* Creative
Ayurveda's Vata Diet:
- Warming spices, including ginger and cloves, anise, cayenne, cinnamon, garlic, horseradish, caraway, mint, mustard seeds, parsley, cooked onion, paprika, rose water.
- Vata generally love fruit, and it suits their ayurvedic constitution. The exceptions are apples, pears, cranberries, watermelon and dried fruit. Vata types should go for sweet and moist fruit, like mangoes, nectarines, bananas, coconut, fresh figs, peaches, and strawberries.
- Should minimize raw food
- Cooked grains like oatmeal, basmati rice, and brown rice, are very grounding for the vata ayurvedic constitution.
Kapha Characteristics :
*Strength
*Stamina
* Endurance
* Calm
Ayurveda's Kapha Diet:
- Kapha body types are not suited to a high protein diet
- Kapha should have light and low fat protein.
- Kapha body types should have plenty of vegetables, including bitter vegetables, peppers, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, eggplant, lettuce, onions, potatoes, mushrooms, corn cobs, peas, beets, and celery.
- Kapha people should make sure they have variety in their diet
