Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medicine, stresses the importance of a delicate balance between mind, body and environment for good health and well-being. Central to the Ayourvedic approach is promoting health and preventing diseases through nutrition, movement and lifestyle.
What is Ayurveda?
According to the principles of Ayurveda, everything in the universe is connected. Health arises when mind, body and soul are in harmony with the unium, while disease occurs when this balance is disturbed. Seasonal changes, age and emotions can affect this balance.
Dosha's in Ayurveda
Ayurveda identifies three life forces or energies, known as doshas, that control the body:
- Vata dosha: Connected to space and air, characterized by creativity and expressivity.
- Pitta dosha: Associated with fire and water, it represents intelligence and determination.
- Kapha dosha: Related to water and earth, stands for loyalty and calmness.
Everyone has a unique mix of doshas, where one is usually stronger than the other. The balance of these dosha's is associated with overall health.
Ayurveda and Nutrition: Basic principles
According to Ayurveda, your dominant dosha determines what you should eat. Some basic principles of ayurvide nutrition are:
- Integration of six flavours into the diet: sweet, salt, acid, bitter, sharp and harsh.
- Start with sweet food and end with sharp, bitter food.
- Conscious and concentrated food without distractions.
- Eat slowly to enjoy the taste and listen to hunger and saturation signals.
- Avoiding overeating and eating the right amount.
- Focus on fresh, home-made foods instead of processed products.
- Concentration on foods that balance all doshas, such as fruit, vegetables, rice, nuts and honey.
Herbs also play an important role in the ayurvedic diet, including ashwagandha, turmeric, ginger, cumin and black pepper.
By following these principles, Ayurveda supporters believe that they can not only achieve better health but also promote inner harmony and well-being.