You may be familiar with different personality typing systems such as the Myers-Briggs typology or the Enneagram. People look to these methods of personality testing to gain a better understanding of themselves and the way that they function. One ancient and helpful way to look at the way your personality and body function is known as your dosha type. The theory of doshas come from the ancient practice of Ayurvedic medicine, born in India over 3,000 years ago.
There are 3 main doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, and the recommended lifestyle path is different for each dosha. Holistic practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine believe that the way you eat has a direct affect on your dosha and the way you move through your day. Aligning your lifestyle and diet within the Ayurvedic framework may yeild significant benefits. One such dosha diet, the Vata Diet has recently risen in popularity in the natural health world.
Read on to learn more about the Vata Diet and ask yourself if this eating plan could help you achieve your natural healthy living goals.
Vata Dosha
In order to understand the Vata Diet you must begin with an understanding of the vata dosha. The vata dosha is the most energetic and lively of the 3 personality types. Creative to a fault, vatas may flit from project to project, often beginning something new before completing the other. Â When the vata is in balance, the individual may feel more grounded, well rested and could have an easier time focusing on the task at hand.
The Vata Dosha and Digestion
The Vata Diet is based around achieving the best life for the vata dosha, or energy type. According to Ayurvedic practitioners, the vata dosha may possibly struggle with digestion and general gut health.  A recent study of individuals with IBS showed that  v?ta predominant persons may be prone to decreased GI motility, decreased GI secretory activity, indigestion, and constipation. Thus the Vata Diet was created to assist in supporting gut health for those seeking a more natural approach to digestive assistance.
Vata Food and Nutrients
Each dosha has their own dietary suggestions to support the balance of their unique energy and physical makeup. The vata skin type is known as dry, rough, and cool, and so the Vata Diet seeks to balance out these tendencies. It consists of warm, cooked fresh foods that are well spiced and texturally soft. Fats and proteins are an essential part of the Vata Diet and could possibly help calm an imbalanced vata.
When eating along Vata Diet guidelines, gravitate toward warm foods over fresh, cold dishes such as salads. Naturally sweet foods are also encouraged on the Vata diet. Think sweet potatoes, bananas, and honey, rather than processed sweets and additives. Salty and sour foods may also support the vata dosha, so consider adding full fat sour cream and sea salt, both of which may help the vata retain moisture and veer away from their naturally dry and rough makeup.
Vata Diet Spices and Specifics
Warming spices should be added to cooked, nutrient dense foods on the Vata Diet. Spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger can enhance the flavor of recommended foods and could help balance the vata. For example, a Vata Diet breakfast may consist of cinnamon oatmeal with flax seeds and lunch could be a warm potato leek soup. Dinnertime should be warm, stewed proteins served with cooked veggies like sweet potatoes. Keep in mind that the Vata Diet doesn’t recommend large portions at dinner, so keep dinner smaller and lighter to assist digestion.
Try These Vata Diet Products
This tea contains licorice, ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom to support your health. Cardamom works to support digestive health and promotes overall gastrointestinal system health. Similarly, ginger works to soothe the stomach and promotes digestive system health.
If you’re looking for a natural supplement that seeks to support the digestive process, especially for those with vata predominant constitutions, check into Banyan Botanicals’ Vata Digest.
Do you have any experience with the Vata Diet? Tell us about it in the comments section below!
