Ayurvedic Nutrition For Winter, According To Your Dosha

In India, the Winter season is equated with comfort food. While all we want to do is snuggle into our soft blanket whilst eating chips; such a diet is not in harmony with the movement of nature and will drain one’s energy to bring about discomfort and imbalance. We suggest following a healthy diet that complements the cycles of nature to balance the flow of energy and harmonize the functional activities of all systems in the body. Ayurveda has well-defined the right diet and lifestyle, not only according to the individual body constitution but also according to the relationship between the various seasonal changes.

What foods keep you warm in the Winter?

Ayurveda suggests foods such as Honey, Ghee, Sesame seeds, Tulsi, Dry Fruits and organic Eggs, to keep the body warm from within. Adding a dollop of Ghee to cooked pulses and vegetables helps enhance the taste and is more nutritious for the body.

You can also add Honey and Tulsi to your cup of tea and replace sugary snacks such as biscuits and cookies with scrumptious Almonds and Pistachios. Eating Eggs for breakfast, in any form, is a wonderful way to commence your day as it keeps the body warm and boosts your protein levels.

While all these foods are delicious and would keep you warm, here are a few diet suggestions according to your Ayurvedic Dosha:

What should Vata personalities eat during the Winter?

People with Vata Dosha tend to feel very cold and their skin tends to get extremely dry. There can be discomfort in the form of pains and aches, usually in the beginning of this season. Here’s what you can eat to strengthen your immunity system:

• Eat a more substantive diet in order to nourish the system. Try and incorporate all flavours, including sweet, sour, and salty tastes and Dry Fruit, Turnips and Ginger flavouring in most foods.
• Opt for small meals and eat frequently, at least every 2-3 hours. Drink soups with Carom seeds (Ajwain) and Asafetida (Hing) for digestion.
• Avoid food that has been refrigerated and try to consume foods that are fresh and seasonal.

• Spices like Cinnamon, Turmeric, Cloves and Black Pepper are good for this Dosha type.
• Include clean proteins, and organic vegetables. Roast or sauté these with a small amount of Cow’s Ghee.

What should Pitta personalities eat during the Winter?

Winter is fundamentally the most comfortable part of the year for overall health and digestion of Pitta body types. The cold season naturally balances the hot composition of a person with Pitta Dosha. Follow these tips to further balance your system:

• During the Winter, a person with Pitta Dosha should try and avoid deep fried and very spicy foods.
• Avoid sour, warming foods including Bananas, Cranberries, Grapes, Grapefruit, Pineapple, Tamarind, Spinach, hard Cheeses, and Sour Cream.
• Focus on eating sweet, bitter and astringent foods such as lentils with pure Ghee, fresh Coconut – incorporate it in as many foods where possible, Coriander, fruits and fresh salads with a little lemon dressing.
• Pure Ghee is the most favorable source of fat for this Dosha. Stop using refined oils and use fresh Cow’s Ghee to prepare food.
• Foods that are dense including as whole grains and root vegetables, like Sweet Potato will help to ground the internal fire of the Pitta Dosha.

What should Kapha personalities eat during the Winter?

For people with Kapha Dosha, Winter is the toughest season as they tend to face congestion and respiratory problems. Hence, it would be ideal to avoid eating heavy food and dairy products.

• Eat lighter, drier foods and focus more on pungent, bitter and astringent tastes.
• Eat freshly cooked, warm and light meals that are a little dry in quality and cooked with very little or no fat.
• Avoid all refined sugar products, yeasted breads, alcohol and deep-fried foods. Be careful of low fat products as they can be high in sugar.
• Eat small portions and make lunch your largest meal.
• Switch to herbal tea infused with Ginger, Tulsi, Lemon Grass, Cardamom, Pepper and Honey to keep the body warm and stimulated.

Essential tip for everyone for the Winter

As per Ayurveda, it is essential to eat the food that is seasonal. Winter is directed by cold and dry air, so it is advisable that all body types should eat more warming foods such as soups, grains, steamed vegetables, nourishing Khichdis, Chicken stews and grilled Fish, the purpose of which is to insulate the body during the cold months.

We also urge you to eat locally sourced foods that are intrinsic to the region you stay in. This not only helps local sustainability but this food is fresh and is easily digested by the body.

Dr Taruna Yadav

Senior Ayurveda Expert, For Forest Essentials.