The United States Department of Agriculture publishes daily recommended
allowances of vitamins and minerals. For decades people have taken these
guidelines as the “bible” and carefully read food labels to understand how
much of each nutrient they are getting. The American Heart Association also
publishes recommendations for the amount of fruits, vegetables, grains and
dairy people should consume. People routinely use these guidelines to see how
they measure up. These guidelines are based upon statistical models of the
“average American” and research based in “current science.”
The problem with statistical models is that the average American is a myth
found only in statistical research papers. In real life, individual needs can
vary significantly. Meanwhile, current science is simply the best conclusion
that can be made given available data. The problem with “current science”
is that it is quickly outdated and never complete as new information is
constantly being gathered. What is accepted as the truth today is often found
to be wrong tomorrow. A good case in point is the intake of cholesterol. While
America has become obsessed with lowering cholesterol intake, studies
published over the last couple of years in the prestigious British Medical
Journal reveal that low cholesterol numbers, while protecting against
cardiovascular disease, seem to increase the risk of certain cancers. In
addition, supplements and herbs once thought to be “quackery” are now
observed to have complex biochemical interactions beneficial in a wide variety
of conditions.
What should a person do? There are many ideas on the bookshelves about how
to eat and stay healthy. There are diets named after the people who wrote the
books, diets named after the foods eaten, diets named after blood types and
diets that promise to keep you in the “zone”. New books and ideas are
published every month. Ayurveda is a 5000 year old science that aims to help a
person understand what is right for them as a unique individual. By evaluating
how a person’s digestive system, nervous system and other systems of the
body function and by evaluating a person’s body structure, a Clinical
Ayurvedic Specialist designs a diet specific to clients needs.
Ayurvedic Medicine teaches that people who have a “vata” nature, or
those people who are thin, dry and often feel cold, need more grains, oils,
salt and a little spice in their diet. Those who do not receive enough are
prone to anxiety, constipation and sleeplessness among many other conditions.
They need nourishing foods and often have difficulty maintaining a vegetarian
diet. People of vata nature should avoid too many salads and fruits as well as
beans and take in more grains, dairy and nuts.
People of “pitta” nature, or those who tend to be warm and have a more
intense and highly focused nature, are understood to need more raw vegetables
and food which are only mildly spiced. Hot, spicy food is believed to lead to
a greater incidence of skin rashes, liver weakness and anger. Large salads are
wonderful.
People of “kapha” nature, or those who tend to be overweight or stocky
and often move and speak very slowly, benefit from lighter foods such as
vegetables and salads and thrive on hot, spicy foods. If sweet, heavy, oily
foods are taken in too great of a quantity it can lead to greater mucous
accumulation as well as further weight gain and diabetes mellitus. People with
a kapha nature should avoid all sweets, dairy and nuts and most grains such as
wheat and rice. However, grains such as quinoa and millet can be taken.
Nothing is right for everyone, everything is right for someone. Ayurveda
avoids the “everybody must” dogma in favor individually tailored food
programs to meet the needs of individuals. With a proper diet and lifestyle,
Ayurveda’s goal is to help each person reach their maximum potential,
physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Vata
Pitta
Kapha
Best Foods
Cooked grains, butter,Ý dairy, nuts, cooked vegetables
Raw Salads, cooked grains, milk, seeds
Salads, cooked vegetables, spicy foods, quinoa, millet, corn flour
and buckwheat
Worst Foods
Raw salads, fruits, beans
Hot, Spicy foods, sour foods, deep fried foods, fermented foods
such as yogurt and vinegar.
Dairy, meat, cheese, nuts, wheat and rice
Dr. Halpern is founder and director of the California College of Ayurveda
and Ayurveda Healthcare Center located at 1117A East Main in Grass Valley, CA,
where students are trained to become Clinical Ayurvedic Specialists (C.A.S.).
For more information, call 530-274-9100 or visit their website at
www.ayurvedacollege.com rel="nofollow"
Ayurvedic
Nutrition
By Dr. Marc Halpern, D.C., C.A.S., P.K.S.
Ayurveda is based on the belief
that nothing is right for everyone and everything is right for someone. This
belief comes from an understanding that each of us is unique. Simply put, each
of us is biochemically different with different hormonal, enzyme levels and
neurotransmitter levels. Each person reacts to the world in different ways. If
we are all different, why would we even consider the idea that there must be
one program of nutrition that is best for everyone? Where did the idea come
from?
Simple Ayurvedic Food Tips for Each Dosha
For more information contact:
California College of Ayurveda
1117A East Main Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Tel.: 530-274-9100
www.ayurvedacollege.com
