Ayurveda is a health system that is thousands of years old. It is founded on the belief that the body comprises five elements; water, earth, fire, air, and ether.
When you are at your best, these elements are in balance. Having just one or more elements out of balance can result in extreme consequences.
Below are 6 foods that you need to avoid in order to ensure your core elements remain in balance with each other. Especially when taking Ayurvedic medicine.
Let’s get into it!
Benefits Of The Ayurvedic Diet
The Ayurvedic diet is a way of eating that promotes balance in your body by adhering to recommendations for your particular dosha, or body type.
While following the Ayurvedic diet can take some to adapt to, there are plenty of benefits to keep you focused:
1. Focus On Whole Foods
The Ayurvedic diet promotes the consumption of whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes despite having particular recommendations for each dosha.
This is excellent for our overall health as these food groups are extremely rich in nutrients and vitamins essential for our bodily functions and growth.
2. Encourages Mindfulness
In today’s society, we are all so busy and always rushing onto the next thing in our lives. The Ayurvedic diet promotes mindfulness as you have to pay more attention to what is going into your body.
This gives you the space to be in the present moment and to just take a moment to breathe and relax.
3. May Aid Weight Loss
As you adapt to the Ayurvedic diet, you will be consuming primarily whole foods and consuming less processed foods. This may aid in weight loss.
However, it is important to remember that this is not a quick fix for weight loss and must be conducted as part of a balanced, active lifestyle.
6 Foods To Avoid
There are many great benefits to leading an Ayurvedic lifestyle(see also: What Is The Ayurvedic Lifestyle?). However, when taking Ayurvedic medicine, there are certain foods you are going to want to avoid to ensure your core elements are in complete harmony.
1. Spicy Or Sour Foods
Chili, Vindaloo curry and even hot sauce are some delicious dishes that are generally irritating to the digestive system. They often cause issues such as acid reflux, indigestion, heartburn, and even diarrhoea.
When looking to find balance within your body, it is best to avoid hot and sour foods.
This does not mean you have to cancel your reservation and your favourite Mexican restaurant but you do want to limit how often you go. In other words, it is great for a treat but not to have every Tuesday night.
Avoiding hot, spicy, and sour foods the majority of the time will allow the Ayurvedic medicine to take effect and bring your body into balance.
You will notice a reduction in bloating and even the cravings you have for certain foods. Perfect for being in control and in sync with your body.
2. Processed Foods
This is the group of foods that many people struggle to avoid. However, they are one of the biggest causes of bloating, inflammation, and acne within the body.
Processed foods such as candy bars, chips, fast foods, and even deli meats are filled with chemicals that are harmful to the body. They can clog arteries and cause extreme inflammation which can damage the body’s tissues and organs. Nasty stuff.
Processed foods are the leading foods in obesity and diabetes. They make it extremely easy to overeat and provide your body with extreme amounts of sugar, salt, and fat.
This can make it extremely difficult to keep balance throughout each element and can disrupt your digestive system.
Again, you can enjoy a fun snack every once in a while without causing too much damage to the body. But it is best to avoid processed foods in order to get the most out of your Ayurvedic medicine.
3. Caffeine
Yes, even the glorious liquid of coffee that helps us get through our day is not the best when taking Ayurvedic medicine(see also: Ayurvedic Medicine – How To Treat Anti-Inflammatory Conditions). A stimulant, caffeine can dehydrate users and exacerbate their nervous systems.
Caffeine should be avoided when taking Ayurveda because it can make people anxious, agitated, and sleepless.
Now, what does that mean for you? Well, if you are consuming 10 cups of coffee a day you may want to begin cutting down for your overall health.
Until eventually you can cut out caffeine completely or make an effective swap to non-caffeinated drinks such as black tea or green tea.
Beverages such as energy drinks and sodas are also damaging to the balance of the body. The high levels of caffeine and sugar or sweetener disrupt the nervous system which causes anxiety and various other issues.
Caffeinated beverages can also add to the toxicity in your liver which can have disastrous effects in the future.
4. Dairy Products
As you have probably heard a million times before, we are the only mammals that continue to consume dairy after infancy. Dairy products are known to increase the body’s production of mucus, which is undesirable while attempting to keep things in balance.
The mucus can clog the sinuses and lungs and serve as a haven for bacteria and viruses.
It is more common than not for adults and even children to have issues digesting dairy. So, many of us avoid it anyway and prefer to include non-dairy products in our diets.
However, if you can digest dairy without problems, you may enjoy it as a snack every so often. Only monsters can resist the creamy richness of melted Camembert!
Dairy products such as cheese are a great source of healthy fats when enjoyed in moderation. This is important if you are on a weight loss journey. Although, your body may thank you for avoiding dairy products altogether.
5. Hard To Digest Foods
Foods that are hard to digest include fried foods, processed meats, cheeses, baked goods, molasses or sugar, etc. The digestive system will struggle to break these foods down which can leave you feeling bloated and fatigued.
It is also a lot easier to overeat these dense foods which can lead to weight gain and even diabetes.
This is why it is best to stick to whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, and grains when taking Ayurveda medication. These foods are easy for the body to digest and are rich in essential nutrients such as fibre and protein.
6. Alcohol
Much like any diet, alcohol is not something you want to consume in excess. Alcohol is a psychoactive drug that acts as a depressant for the nervous system. While you may feel on top of the world when enjoying a glass of wine, the effects are not as good.
If you are of drinking age in your country then you are more than likely to enjoy an alcoholic beverage when out with friends, after a long week at work, or enjoying a lovely meal. However, alcohol can impact your sleep, muscle function, and brain function.
This can have extreme effects when taking Ayurvedic medication. Although, it is important to note that Ayurveda may prescribe alcohol as a co-drink with certain medications.
You must consult your practitioner before indulging in a glass of wine or a few tequila shots.
We find it best to avoid alcohol as much as possible in order to ensure balance and harmony are maintained throughout the body.
Final Thoughts
Ayurvedic medicine is an excellent practice that can aid in bringing balance to both the mind and body. It promotes mindfulness and allows you to understand what your body needs to be healthy.
When taking Ayurvedic medicine, (see also: Advantages & Disadvantages Of Ayurvedic Medicine: What You Need To Know)there are certain foods that you are going to want to avoid. Above are 6 food groups that you are going to want to avoid such as spicy or sour foods, alcohol, and caffeine.
Each of these food groups can cause imbalance within the body and prevent you from seeing the benefits of Ayurveda medicine. It is time to make some necessary changes and transform your life!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Food Rule Of Ayurveda?
Before reaching fullness, stop eating. According to Ayurveda, heavier foods that take a while to digest should only be ingested up to 50% of the way through. Foods that are easy to digest should only be consumed till fullness.
Can You Eat Eggs In Ayurveda?
Eggs are warming, heavy, oily, and suitable for Vata types or when a person needs quick vigour while recovering from illness.
As long as there is no Pitta imbalance, eggs can be beneficial for women who are attempting to conceive as well as pregnant women. Egg whites are OK for Kapha types.
What 2 Foods Should Not Be Eaten Together In Ayurveda?
The two food groups you want to avoid eating together are starches and proteins. You want to avoid bringing food groups together that can cause an imbalance in the body and that is hard to digest.
I'm Clare, the owner and operator of Off The Couch, where I serve as a qualified Nutrition & Health Coach.
Based in Dublin, Ireland, I offer coaching services both locally and globally, providing personalized strategies in nutrition, stress management, sleep quality, and fitness.
My journey into this field began as I navigated my own chronic illnesses, including early menopause, Interstitial Cystitis, Lyme Disease, and hydrocephalus.
