The Ayurvedic diet is one of the most traditional eating patterns to still exist. This diet originated in India thousands of years ago. It focuses on the idea that people have a unique combination of doshas. The three doshas are Vata (air and space elements), Pitta (fire and water elements) and Kapha (earth and water elements). These doshas are responsible for specific physiological functions. When these doshas are balanced it is said that you would be at optimum health.
The main three reasons why the Ayurvedic diet is followed are:
- Said to balance the different energies in your body
- Provides personal recommendations based on your body type
- Focuses on your mind and your body
Does conventional science support the Ayurvedic diet?
The Ayurvedic diet is not just about what you eat/drink, it also focuses on when you eat, your sleep patterns, your exercise and mindfulness. These are all crucial aspects to turn a diet (often difficult to follow) into a lifestyle (easier to stick with).
It makes sure that your health and feeling your best is the main focus of your life….. now this we agree with! Focusing on the aspects of your life listed above and adapting them so you feel at your best is a good idea!
This diet often promotes healthy eating patterns, eating for your body type and mindfulness which are shown by science to improve your overall health. However, the idea of doshas are not proven. This being said if you find the diet is improving your health and you are not following any unhealthy practices then there is no reason to stop!
Although, it is important you keep in mind that a healthy diet is all about balance and moderation, any extreme changes or extreme restrictions are often not healthy.
What are some positive and negative aspects of the Ayurvedic diet?
Positive aspects of the diet
- Encourages the consumption of local foods
- A lifestyle, not just a diet
- Works for many people
- Supports many healthy practices (such as those discussed in the next section)
Negative aspects of the diet
- Time-consuming preparing all meals from scratch
- Can be expensive
- Sometimes confusing and difficult to follow
- Can be very restrictive
Healthy practices encouraged by the Ayurvedic diet that could improve your health and help you lose weight (if that is your aim)
- Avoid over-eating – this prevents consuming unnecessary calories which could cause weight gain.
- Consume unprocessed fresh foods- these foods are packed with vitamins and minerals, thereby reducing the consumption of processed foods which often contain added sugar and fats. Consuming whole foods also increases your fibre intake.
- Eating seasonally- this is good for the environment and can be more cost-effective.
- Focus on what you are eating- we are surrounded by distractions, by eliminating these you will feel fuller for longer.
- Do not consume food too close to bedtime- this can help improve the quality of your sleep.
- Promotes exercise- a good diet in combination with exercise will improve your health.
- Encourages mindfulness- mindfulness involves paying attention to how you feel in the moment and can be beneficial for your mental health.
So, what about weight loss? Well following some or all of the healthy practices will help you to lose weight. However, it is important to take note of the possible negative aspects of the diet and ensure that you are still meeting all of your dietary recommendations.
Conclusion
Although this diet has many positive aspects and can be beneficial as you focus on both your body and mind, it should not be used in replacement but in conjunction with modern medicine. If you experience negative side effects from following the Ayurvedic diet you should stop.
This article is discussing the eating patterns of the Ayurvedic diet. A doctor should be consulted if you are considering following any other aspects of Ayurvedic such as medicinal.