The Ultimate Food List For All Doshas

Photo by Brooke Lark

Ayurvedic medicine considers food as the main preventive medicine and in the same time prime culprit for causing diseases. Not following a proper diet creates imbalance of doshas which in turn vitiates bodily tissues, digestive enzymes, circulatory channels and bodily excretions.

“When the diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When the diet is correct, medicine is of no need.” - Ayurvedic proverb

VATA DOSHA FOOD LIST

Photo by Chinh Le Duc

Vata is reduced through heat and moistness. Warm, moist, nourishing, lubricating and cooked foods with heating and grounding properties and smooth in texture will balance Vata. It will get aggravated with food of opposite qualities like dry, raw, cold and rough food which prevent Vata from performing its normal functions .

Vata pacifying foods help balance Vata dosha by lubricating, moisturizing and warming the body tissues. Vata is also pacified by sweet, salty and sour tasted and aggravated by pungent, bitter and astringent tastes.

Follow Vata pacifying diet if you are predominantly a Vata type or if you have Vata imbalances such as anxiety, nervousness, dry skin, cramps, insomnia, pain, bloating, constipation, irregular menstrual cycle etc.

PREFER	AVOID OR REDUCE
FRUITS apples (steamed, cooked or baked) apricots avocado bananas (ripe) blackberries cantaloupe cherries coconut currants dates (fresh or soaked) durian figs (fresh or soaked) grapefruit kiwi lemon lime longan lychees mango melons nectarines oranges (sweet) papaya peaches pears (cooked) pineapple (sweet) plums raisins (soaked) rambutan raspberries rhubarb strawberries soursop tamarind tangerines	FRUITS apples (raw) cranberries dried fruits guava pears (raw) persimmon pomegranate prunes quince watermelon
VEGETABLES acorn squash asparagus beets bell peppers (cooked) bok choy broccoli (cooked) corn carrots (cooked) cauliflower celery chard cucumbers daikon fennel stalks fenugreek greens green beans green chilies green peas (cooked) jerusalem artichokes kale leeks mustard green okra olives (black) onion (cooked) parsnip pumpkin radishes rutabaga seaweed spaghetti squash spinach (cooked) summer squash sweet peas (cooked) sweet potatoes taro root tomatoes (cooked) turnip yams watercress winter squash zucchini (cooked)	VEGETABLES artichokes beet greens bell peppers (raw) bitter melon broccoli (raw) Brussels sprouts burdock root cabbage cauliflower celery dandelion greens eggplant endive horseradish jicama kohlrabi lettuce mushrooms olives (green) onion (raw) parsnip potatoes radicchio radish (raw) red chilies snow peas spinach (raw) sprouts tomatoes (raw) wheat grass white potatoes zucchini (raw)
GRAINS AND LEGUMES amaranth bulgur durham flor durum wheat flour lentils (red) lima beans mung beans (yellow and green) mung dal oats (cooked) quinoa rice seitan spelt tepary beans toor dal urad dal wheat wheat bran white rice	GRAINS AND LEGUMES adzuki beans barley black beans black eyed peas brown rice buckwheat carob chickpeas corn flour couscous dry oats fava beans granola kamut kidney beans lentils (brown) millet miso muesli navy beans oat barn pasta pinto beans polenta rice cakes rye sago soybeans spelt split peas tapioca tempeh triticale tofu white beans yeasted bread
DAIRY butter buttermilk cream kefir (warm or room temp.) milk (warm and spiced) paneer skim milk sour cream yogurt (warm or room temp.) lassi cheese (soft) cottage cheese	DAIRY cheese (hard) ice cream milk (cold) condensed milk powdered milk yogurt (cold or frozen)
NUTS AND SEEDS almonds (soaked and peeled) Brazil nuts cashews charoli nuts chestnuts chia seeds flax seeds hazelnuts macadamia nuts pecans pine nuts pistachio pumpkin seeds sesame seeds sunflower seeds walnuts	NUTS AND SEEDS peanuts poppy seeds psyllium seeds
OILS almond oil avocado oil coconut oil flax seed oil ghee olive oil pumpkin seed oil sesame oil sunflower oil	OILS canola oil safflower oil soy bean oil margarine
BEVERAGES ajwan tea almond milk aloe vera juice anise tea apricot juice basil tea beet juice borage tea cardamom tea carrot juice cashew milk chai chamomile tea cherry juice cherry stem tea cherry tea chicory tea cinnamon tea coconut milk comfrey tea elder flower tea eucalyptus tea fennel tea ginger tea ginseng tea grape juice grapefruit juice hawthorn tea jasmine tea juniper tea lavender drinks lemonade licorice tea lotus tea mango juice marshmallow tea mint tea orange juice papaya juice peach juice peppermint tea pineapple juice raspberry juice raspberry tea rice milk rose tea sage tea strawberry juice strawberry leaf tea thyme tea turmeric milk turmeric tea warm and spiced dairy drinks	BEVERAGES alcohol apple juice black tea carbonated drinks chocolate milk coffee cold dairy drinks cranberry juice dandelion tea green tea guava juice hibiscus tea hop tea ice cold drinks ice tea melissa tea nettle tea pear juice persimmon juice pomegranate juice prune juice rosehip tea smoothies soy milk watermelon juice yarrow tea
SWEETENERS barley malt date sugar fructose honey (uncooked) jaggery maple syrup molasses raw cane sugar rice syrup sucanat turbinado	SWEETENERS agave syrup brown sugar white sugar
SPICES ajwan allspice anise asafoetida basil bay leaves black pepper caraway cardamom celery seeds cilantro cinnamon cloves coriander seeds cumin curry leaves dill fennel fenugreek garam masala garlic ginger lemongrass marjoram mint mustard seeds neem leaves nutmeg oregano paprika parsley peppermint pippali (long pepper) rock salt rosemary saffron sage spearmint tarragon thyme turmeric vanilla wintergreen	SPICES cayenne chili peppers

PITTA DOSHA FOOD LIST

Photo by Monika Grabkowska

Pitta is reduced through cold and moistness. Moist and juicy foods with high water content and cooling properties will balance Pitta. It will get aggravated with food of opposite qualities like hot, sharp,unripe and fermented food which prevent Pitta from performing its normal functions. Pitta is also pacified by sweet, bitter and astringent tastes and aggravated by sour, salty and pungent tastes.

Pitta pacifying foods help balance Pitta dosha by nourishing, cooling, moisturising and calming the body tissues.

Follow Pitta pacifying diet if you are predominantly a Pitta type or if you have Pitta imbalances such as inflammatory diseases, skin disorders, body odor, diarrhea, stomach problems, anger etc.

PREFER	AVOID
FRUITS apples (sweet) apricots avocado bananas (ripe) blackberries blueberries cantaloupe cherries (sweet) coconut cranberries dates figs gapefruit (red) grapes guavas kiwi (sweet) lemons (small amounts) longan lychees mangoes (ripe) melons nectarines oranges (sweet) papaya (sweet) pears persimmons pineapples (sweet) plums pomegranate prunes raisins (soaked) rambutan raspberries strawberries tangerines (sweet) watermelon	FRUITS apples (sour) bananas (unripe) cherries (sour) grapefruit (yellow) kiwi (sour) limes mandarins mangoes (green) oranges (sour) papaya (sour) peaches pineapple (sour) plums (sour) rhubarb soursop tamarind tangerines (sour)
VEGETABLES alfalfa sprouts artichokes arugula aspargus bean sprouts beets (cooked) bell peppers bitter melon bok choy broccoli brussel sprouts burdock root cabbage carrots (cooked) cauliflower celery chard cilantro collard greens corn cucumber dandelion greens endive fennel stalks green beans jerusalem artichokes jicama kale kohlarbi leeks lettuce mushrooms mustard greens okra olives (black) onions (sweet and cooked) parsley parsnips peas potatoes pumpkin purslane radicchio rutabaga seaweed sprouts squash (all kinds) sweet potatoes taro root watercress wheatgrass yams zucchini	VEGETABLES beets (raw) carrots (raw) chili peppers daikon eggplant horseradish mustard greens olives (green) onions (raw) radishes spinach tomatoes turnip greens turnips
GAINS AND LEGUMES adzuki beans amaranth barley basmati rice black beans black eyed peas chickpeas couscous durham flour fava beans kamut kidney beans lentils (black) lima beans millet mung beans mung dl navy beans oat bran oats (cooked) pinto beans quinoa rice cakes sago seitan soybeans spelt split peas tapioca tempeh wheat wheat bran white beans white rice whole wheat wild rice	GAINS AND LEGUMES brown rice buckwheat corn flour dry oats ganola kidney beans lentils (red, green and yellow) tur dal urad dal
DAIRY butter (unsalted) buttermilk cheeses (unsalted) cottage cheese cream cheese ice cream (during summer) lassi milk paneer skim milk	DAIRY butter (salted) cheeses (salted) cultured milk kefir sour cream yogurt
NUTS AND SEEDS almonds (soaked annd peeled) charoli nuts chia seeds flax seeds poppy seeds pumpkin seeds sunflower seeds	NUTS AND SEEDS brazil nuts cashews hazelnuts macadamia peanuts pecans pine nuts pistachio psyllium seeds sesame seeds
OILS avocado oil coconut oil corn oil flax seed oil ghee olive oil primrose pumpkin seed oil sunflower oil walnut oil	OILS almond oil margarine mustard oil peanut oil safflower oil sesame oil
BEVERAGES almond milk aloe vera juice anise tea apple juice (diluted with water) apricot juice (diluted with water) basil tea borage tea burdock tea cardamom tea chai chamomile tea cherry stem tea chicory tea chrysanthemum tea cinnamon tea clover tea comfrey tea corn silk tea cranberry juice (diluted with water) cranberry tea dandelion tea elderflower tea fennel tea fresh ginger tea hibiscus tea honeysuckle tea hops tea jasmine tea lavender drinks lavender tea lemon balm tea lemongrass tea licorice tea marshmallow tea mint tea nettle tea peppermint tea pomegranate juice (diluted with water) raspberry juice (diluted with water) raspberry tea rice milk soy milk strawberry juice (diluted with water) strawberry leaf tea turmeric milk turmeric tea verbena tea violet tea wheatgrass juice wintergreen tea	BEVERAGES ajwan tea alcohol anise tea black tea cashew milk coffee dry ginger tea green tea lemonade lime juice sage tea smoothies tamarind juice thyme tea tomato juice undiluted fruit juices
SWEETENERS barley malt syrup dextrose fructose maltose maple syrup raw cane sugar raw honey (uncooked) rice syrup stevia	SWEETENERS agave syrup jaggery molasses white sugar
SPICES basil bay leaf black pepper (small amount) caraway cardamom cilantro cinnamon coriander seeds cumin curry leaves dill fennel fenugreek ginger (fresh) lemongrass mint mint neem leaves oregano parsley peppermint rose water rosemary saffron spearmint turmeric vanilla	SPICES ajwan allspice anise asafoetida cayenne cloves garlic ginger (dry) marjoram mustard seeds nutmeg paprika pippali (long pepper) sage salt thyme

KAPHA DOSHA FOOD LIST

Photo by Jennifer Pallian

Kapha is reduced through heat, dryness and lightness. Sharp, warm, dry, light and easy to digest food with rough texture will balance Kapha. It will get aggravated with food of opposite qualities like cold, moist and heavy to digest food which prevent Kapha from performing its normal functions. Kapha is also pacified by pungent, astringent and bitter tastes and aggravated by sweet, salty and sour tastes.

Kapha pacifying foods help balance Kapha dosha by increasing circulation and warming and drying body tissues.

Follow kapha pacifying diet if you are predominantly a kapha type or if you have kapha imbalances such as obesity, diabetes, edema, drowsiness, goitre, oily hair or skin.

PREFER	AVOID OR REDUCE
FRUITS apples apricot blueberries cherries cranberries currants figs (small amount) grapefruit grapes guava jackfruit lemon lime longan lycches nectarines papaya passionfruit peaches pears persimmons pineapples plums prunes pomegranate rambutan raspberries strawberries tamarind	FRUITS avocado bananas cantaloupe coconut dates honeydew mangoes oranges prunes raisins watermelon
VEGETABLES artichokes asparagus bamboo shoots bean sprouth beets bell peppers bitter melon broccoli brussel sprouts cabbage carrots cauliflower celery chard chili peppers collard greens corn daikon dandelion greens eggplant fennel green beans green chilies horseradish jerusalem artichokes kale kohlrabi leeks lettuce mushrooms mustard greens okra onions (cooked) parsley parsnips peas potatoes radishes rutabaga seaweed spinach sprouts tomatoes (cooked) turnips turnip greens watercress	VEGETABLES corn cucumbers olives pumpkin squash sweet potatoes tapioca tomatoes (raw) yams zucchini
GRAINS AND LEGUMES adzuki beans amaranth arrowroot barley barley basmati rice buckwheat chickpeas corn flour couscous durham flour granola jackbeans kidney beans lentils lentils (black) lima beans millet miso mung beans oat bran oats (dry, small amounts) polenta quinoa rye split peas tapioca toasted bread	GRAINS AND LEGUMES brown rice corn oatmeal pasta semolina soy sourdough bread tempeh tofu wheat white rice whole wheat wild rice yeasted bread
DAIRY buttermilk lassi (small amounts) skim milk warm, spiced milk	DAIRY butter cheeses cold milk cream ice cream sour cream yogurt
NUTS AND SEEDS almonds (small amounts) charoli nuts chia seeds flax seeds pecans (small amounts) pine nuts (small amounts) pumpkin seeds	NUTS AND SEEDS brazil nuts cashew nuts chestnuts hazelnuts macadamia peanuts pistachio nuts poppy seeds sunflower seeds walnut
OILS almond oil (small amounts) flax seed oil (small amounts) ghee (small amounts) mustard oil (small amounts) olive oil (small amounts) pumpkin seeds oil (small amounts) sesame oil (small amounts) sunflower oil (small amounts)	OILS avocado oil canola oil castor oil coconut oil corn oil margarine palm oil peanut oil safflower oil soy oil
BEVERAGES ajwan tea aloe vera juice anise tea apple juice (diluted with water) basil tea blackberry juice (diluted with water) borage tea burdock tea cardamom tea carrot juice chai chamomile tea chicory tea chrysanthemum tea cinnamon tea cinnamon tea clove tea corn silk tea cranberry juice (diluted with water) dandelion tea elderflower tea eucalyptus tea fennel tea fennel tea fenugreek tea ginger tea ginseng tea grape juice (diluted with water) hibiscus tea hops tea jasmine tea juniper tea lavender drinks lavender tea lemon balm tea lemonade lemongrass tea nettle tea peach juice (diluted with water) pear juice (diluted with water) peppermint tea pomegranate juice (diluted with water) raspberry tea red clover tea rose hip saffron tea sage tea sage tea strawberry leaf tea thyme tea turmeric milk turmeric tea violet tea wheatgrass juice wintergreen tea yarrow tea	BEVERAGES alcohol almond milk chocolate milk cold drinks comfrey tea dairy drinks licorice root tea mango juice marshmallow tea melon juice oat straw shakes smoothies undiluted fruit juices vanilla tea watermelon juice
SWEETENERS barley malt honey (small amounts) stevia	SWEETENERS agave syrup brown sugar fructose maple syrup molasses raw sugar sucanat sugar cane white sugar
SPICES ajwan allspice anise asafoetida basil bay leaf black pepper caraway cardamom cayenne cinnamon cloves coriander cumin dill fennel fenugreek garam masala garlic ginger marjoram mustard seeds oregano paprika parsley peppermint pippali (black pepper) rosemary saffron sage spearmint tarragon thyme turmeric wintergreen	SPICES nutmeg rose water salt vanilla

Photo by Jasmine Waheed

Author: Ayurveda Tutorials

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