Ayurvedic living is a preventative approach to health and medicine, rather than the currently popular curative medicine today. Measuring tastes to create a balanced diet is one simple way we can support our bodies on our health journey.
Each taste is a balance of the elements and thus affects the elemental balance of each dosha differently.
6 Tastes of Ayurveda
Sweet - earth & water - comforting & grounding
Sour - fire & earth - moistening
Salty - fire & water - soothing & softening
Bitter - air & space - detoxifying
Astringent - air & earth - slowing
Pungent - fire & air - energizing
The amount of each taste that you include on a regular basis can affect your mood, energy level, digestive health and so much more. Depending on your dosha, a certain balance is recommended.
Vata
Sweet, sour, and salty balance Vata.
Bitter, astringent, and pungent increase Vata.
Pitta
Bitter, sweet, and astringent balance Pitta.
Salty, sour, and pungent increase Pitta.
Kapha
Pungent, astringent, and bitter balance Kapha.
Sweet, sour, and salt increase Kapha.
Measuring tastes can help you balance your dosha, while giving your body the variety of foods it needs. Try adding some of the items from each taste that helps to balance your dosha!
SWEET | SOUR | SALTY | BITTER | ASTRINGENT | PUNGENT |
Fruits | Yogurt / Cheese | Salt (sea, Himalayan, pink) | Leafy Greens | Apples / Pears | Peppers |
Grains | Vinegar | Seaweed | Artichokes / Eggplant | Most Berries | Mustard |
Avocados | Citrus | Celery | Dark Chocolate | Cabbage | Onions / Garlic |
Nuts / Seeds | Pickles | Olives | Sesame Seeds | Legumes | Turmeric |
Dairy | Tomatoes | Cottage Cheese | Coffee / Tea | Most Raw Vegetables | Turnips / Radishes |
Honey | Strawberries / Kiwi | Soy Sauce | Brussel Sprouts | Beans | Hot Spices |
Breakfast
Let's take breakfast for example. There are certain foods, flavors, tastes, etc. that can either power you up or work against you. Here is just a one suggestion that may help to make a big difference in how you feel throughout the day. Start your day off on the right track, with food that works with your body to keep you feeling good and energized and say adios to these foods that don't!
Vata - avoid smoothies as they may make you feel bloated, constipated & anxious
Pitta - avoid coffee as it may make you agitated, acidic & overheated
Kapha - avoid pastries as they may make you feel heavy & tired
Filling Your Plate
Depending on your dosha, certain tastes and foods can be easily added into your diet on a daily basis to improve and maintain physical and emotional health. What you choose is incredibly important, as we've just outlined, but it's just one piece of the puzzle. The amount of each food you choose also has a big role to play as well!
At the end of the day, we all just want to feel good! Making small changes can go a long way to achieving stable energy levels, effective digestion, a clear mind and a happy healthy body.
Not sure about your dosha? Scoot on over to our post "What's My Dosha?" where you can learn more about each dosha's characteristics and take a quiz to find out your dosha!
Feel like you're ready for an Ayurvedic metabolism reset? If you've been feeling sluggish, heavy, tired, etc. then perhaps we can help!
Our Ayurvedic Yoga Retreats can be tailored to your specific needs to help you kickstart your health journey. Check out our Retreats to learn more or feel free to contact us directly with any questions you have.