nutrition facts

The word
Ayurveda
is from the ancient Indian language
Sanskrit
and literally means "Knowledge of Life".
The Ayurvedic approach to life involves listening to and addressing the unique needs of your body
recognizing and balancing your mental and emotional states and deepening your connection with your spirit
your essential self.

The raw food diet is based around the principle that eating a diet high in raw food will normalise and alkalise your body. This
in turn
connects the mind with the body; thus
Ayurveda and the Raw Food diet are very similar.

This article will hopefully provide a brief guidance on how you could connect the two in a way that is optimal to your health.

In Ayurveda
the idea is that you eat according to your ‘dosha’; vata
pitta and kapha.
Vata is composed of the elements of air and ether
Pitta is composed of the elements of fire and water
Kapha is composed of the elements of water and earth

Vata types are generally thin and find it hard to gain weight. Vatas need to get sufficient rest and not overdo things
as they can tire easily.

Pitta types are generally medium sized and well proportioned. They also tend to be intelligent
with a sharp wit.

Kapha types tend to have sturdy
heavy frames. They are prone to gain weight easily. They often tend to have a positive outlook on life.

So
what does this mean
and how does it apply to you?
In Ayurveda
it is believed that each person is governed by one dominant dosha and you should eat according to that dosha. However
this article is concerned with Ayurveda and Raw Food
so I will only mention the foods that coincide with both these diets.

Vata
Balances: Sweet fruits
apricots
avocado
bananas
berries
grapes
melons
asparagus
beets
cucumber
garlic
radishes
zucchini.
Aggravates: Dried fruits
apples
cranberries
pears
watermelons
broccoli
cabbage
cauliflower
raw onions.

Pitta
Balances: Sweet fruits
avocado
coconut
figs
mango
prunes
sweet and bitter vegetables
cabbage
cucumber
okra
potatoes.
Aggravates: Sour fruits
berries
bananas
plums
oranges
lemon
pungent vegetables
garlic
onions.

Kapha
Balances: Apples
apricots
berries
cherries
cranberries
mangos
peaches
pungent and bitter vegetables
broccoli
celery
garlic
onion.
Aggravates: Sweet and sour fruits
bananas
coconut
melons
papaya
sweet and juicy vegetables
potatoes
tomatoes.

There are many suggestions in Ayurveda
which are very easily translated to a Raw Food Diet.
Such suggestions are:

Eat mainly seasonal fruit
vegetables
nuts
seeds and grains
Eat according to your constitution
or dosha
Fast for one day every two weeks
Establish a regular eating routine
Eliminate or limit caffeinated
carbonated and alcoholic beverages from your life
Drink herbal tea
fruit and vegetable juices