My question is about green smoothies. As you know, they are all the rage now and the concept is pretty appealing. BUT as vata, with all the “fun” digestive issues that entails, I have wondered if they are something to embrace or avoid.
1. They are cold. 2. They are raw. Got a take on this?
– Karen, South Carolina
Awesome question. Okay, raise your hands if you’ve heard of incorporating green veggie smoothies for good vitamins, good energy, good veggies, and good digestion. Alright, now leave your hands up if you’ve eaten green smoothies as part of your daily meals/snacks. Now, leave your hands up if you are drinking these smoothies during the fall, vata season. Those of you with your hands up will definitely want to read the below.
We already know vata’s qualities are cold, dry, light, mobile and rough. Therefore, vatas need to keep warm, unctuous (oily/moist), heavy, static, and smooth to stay balanced. A reminder that in Ayurveda, like increases like, while opposites balance. The other fact about vata is their digestive fire is variable and during vata season, it tends to be very weak. If digestive fire is weak, they have a hard time digesting their food which can result in constipation, bloating, gas, cramps, diarrhea, even headaches!
In the case of smoothies, raw green veggies and usually a raw apple are blended to create a smooth, liquidy, green drink packed with nutrients. Which is totally true! Nutrients there are. But let’s look at the rest of it. Raw veggies are cold, dry, light and rough. ALL vata! Remember, like increases like? These smoothies are likely going to rough up a vata person’s insides instead of making them flow smoothly. Vatas need a real smoothie, like ghee or oatmeal or something smooth in texture. Raw veggies are actually very rough on the digestive system and Ayurveda does not promote raw foods. Bottom line, if you are a vata, raw veggies and even some raw fruits (apples & pears) are going to hamper your digestion especially during the fall and winter. There is no heat in nature and there is no heat in the food, therefore there is not much agni (fire!) in our bodies or in the nature around us to help digestion. Because our bodies are influenced by nature, this double whammy will leave us puffy-bellied, gassy, and even crampy.
If you have digestive issues definitely avoid smoothies in fall and winter. You can try them again in summer when it’s warm outside and if your digestion can handle the raw veg then, fine. But if not, don’t be sad. It’s not the end of the world. Just throw your smoothie into a pot and call it soup. You’ll still be cool in my eyes. :)
9 responses so far ↓
1 johnnyhead // Nov 9, 2011 at 5:28 am
as a total dry light rough Vata – I’m wondering what if you ad a raw hot item like ginger to a smoothie? I usually drink carrot juice mixed with ginger which makes it spicier. Is this creating the same fire as say oatmeal?
2 johnnyhead // Nov 9, 2011 at 5:36 am
NO wait. I’m not a Vata got my dosha mixed y’all I’m definately pitta so is that why I can deal with the cold veggies in the a.m. with ginger?
3 Sarah // Nov 9, 2011 at 7:13 am
Hi Monica!
Are there spices & seasonings that can help with the digestion of raw fruits & veggies?
It has been very counterintuitive for me to stop eating uncooked fruits & vegetables in the fall & winter. I feel like I’m seriously missing out on nutrients & enzymes (it’s hard-coded in me & a hard habit to break). Like what do you think about having that occasional green smoothie or juice but throwing in some ginger & cinnamon or cardamom….would that help?
Thanks so much! Love you!
4 Monica // Nov 9, 2011 at 2:55 pm
Hi Johnnyhead! Great questions. If you add ginger to the mix, ginger helps digestion considerably! And you are correct in thinking that ginger adds heat – nice job and way to use your tools! Yes, you are a mix of vata and pitta. However, you also have strong digestion/agni of a pitta, so you will fare much better than those who have weaker agni or vata digestion. Basic rule of thumb in Ayurveda…one size does not fit all. If you have smoothies and you are pooping, not bloated or gassy, and you feel good, then keep doing that. If you get to a point where your guts feel a gassy vata imbalance OR if you suddenly get a bitter taste in your mouth (a pitta friend of mine had that happen after having too many smoothies) lay off for a while. Does that help? Thanks for your insightful question!!! xoxo
5 Monica // Nov 9, 2011 at 2:59 pm
Hi Sarah! Love and miss you! Let’s catch up soon :) Yes! As you can see from Johnnyhead’s question, he uses fresh ginger in his smoothies which help aid digestion. The other thing, could you partially steam the veggies (depending on what they are) before blending AND add the ginger? Steaming doesn’t strip nutrients too much. The problem happens when we boil something like broccoli until it’s lost it’s green color and then dump out the water. Euu…just the thought of cold soggy broccoli makes me so sad. Does that help?! I mean, if you are digesting them your agni is probably strong enough! But if there is constipation, headaches, anxiety, acid reflux, gas, bloating, etc., it could be the smoothies are too roughie ;) xoxo
6 Sarah // Nov 10, 2011 at 6:00 am
Thanks Monica…that’s funny that johnnyhead was asking the same thing. I need to do some more experimenting. The old agni is for sure not very strong. I think I’ll see what happens when I cut out all uncooked food.
I did a 5 day kitcheri cleanse & it was very nice. However, I still didn’t poop much (TMI), but I was eating raw fruit between meals (like apples). I’m gonna try again without the fruit.
Later!
7 Monica // Nov 12, 2011 at 8:48 pm
Hey Sarah! I know right?! I love that too because that means you guys are learning how to apply this stuff – awesome! Did you drink enough water during your cleanse? Fruit between kitchari meals is ok – shouldn’t have constipated you that much. However, next time try juicy and sour fruits like grapefruit or oranges. Banana would be ok too. Gator!!
8 Anon // Nov 15, 2011 at 9:41 am
Hi Monica!
I’ve been following your website for a while and have learned so much! So thanks for all the time and thought you put into this. I was wondering if you could do a post on what to do if you are a vatta having trouble with constipation and headaches. This has been an issue for me for a long time, and I just can’t seem to change it, although I am pretty good about keeping up all-around healthy habits. I’d love to hear your advice for this type of situation whenver you might have the time to respond. Thanks!!!
9 Monica // Nov 17, 2011 at 10:16 pm
Hi Anon! I’m so glad you are learning! I will absolutely answer your question. It’s an important one and the most interesting thing is that headaches and constipation are linked. I’ll explain in the post. Thanks for the question! xoxo
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