HeyMonicaB

I received a great question about food and Ayurveda. One gal was really confused because the information on Ayurveda and what foods are “OK” can differ depending on the source/author. I have to say, if you are reading them and taking them to heart, I agree that it is confusing. When I was first studying, this didn’t make any sense to me, and it still doesn’t. How come some sources says corn is fine and in other sources it says it’s not? Very confusing!

However, then I took a step back and looked at what I know about Ayurveda and food. Rather than focusing on whether a food is good or bad (there is no such thing btw) we focus on all aspects of LIFE around that food. The biggest factor is WHO is eating that food rather than the food itself. So my answer to the question about which foods to eat is…that depends. It depends on the laundry list below:

a) the individual person’s prakruti (natural balance of doshas) or vikruti (imbalanced state of doshas)
b) what elements balance those doshas
c) where did the food came from (nature? Kraft?)
d) what are the seasonal foods
e) our state of mind while eating
f) how do the foods affect our mind
g) what is the state of agni

This is why Ayurveda is not a quick fix, nor does one size fit all. It’s based on a learning/knowing of you who are and that can take time. There are many factors that come into play, but if you follow the basic nutritional guidelines and are eating foods that come from nature, you are at least on the right track. The real knowing comes in knowing yourself and what you are made of. If you are a firey pitta, you will want to steer clear from spicy foods in the hot summer (heat + heat + heat = increased pitta). You will want to balance the elements of the food with your body and it will always vary case by case.

Going back to corn. Is it good or bad? I would say, consider the source. Corn from the farmer’s market at a friend’s house for a bbq is going to be much better than a taco shell from Taco Bell. See my point? It depends.

I wish there was a magic answer, but there’s not. But that’s what Ayurvedic Wellness Counselors are for – they teach you about you! Ask me questions or we can have a consultation together. I’d be happy to teach you all about YOU!

For more nutritional info, please see these posts and/or click on Nutrition under Categories – there’s tons!
Nutrition 1 – Philosophy
Nutrition 2 – Nutritional Guidelines
Nutrition 3 – Agni & Ama
Nutrition 4 – The 6 Tastes
Nutrition 5 – Strong Agni