Pitta Pacifying Diet
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Because Pitta is hot and moist, Pitta types need to favour cooling foods. This is especially important during hot humid summer weather. Salads, milk and even ice cream in moderation are good. Grains, vegetables, beans, milk and butter have a cooling, settling influence on Pitta. Pitta types naturally have a strong appetite and feel uncomfortable if a meal is delayed. They can digest almost anything, but moderation in all things is the rule. Starchy foods will help satisfy their keen hunger. They need to be aware of overeating and excessive use of salty, sour and hot, spicy foods – all of these aggravate Pitta. |
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If you are travelling or if Pitta decreasing foods are not available, try the Pitta balancing herbal seasoning which includes all six tastes. Cooling herbal teas such as mint, licorice or Maharishi Ayurveda Pitta Tea will also help.
| Favour the following foods: | |
| General | Cool foods and drinks, foods with predominantly sweet, bitter and astringent tastes |
| Grains | Wheat, oats, barley, white rice |
| Dairy | Milk, butter, ghee |
| Sweeteners | All except honey and molasses |
| Oils | Olive, sunflower |
| Fruits | Sweet fruits, grapes, cherries, melons, avocado, coconut, sweet orange, sweet pineapple, sweet plums, mango, pear, pomegranate |
| Vegetables | Asparagus, pumpkin, cucumber, potato, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, lettuce, zucchini, okra, sweet potato, beans, green beans |
| Spices | Coriander, cinnamon, cardamon, fennel, black pepper (small quantity) |
| Avoid or Reduce the following foods | |
| General | Foods with predominantly pungent (hot), sour, and salty tastes. Foods and drinks with warming properties. |
| Dairy | Yoghurt, cheese, sour cream, cultured buttermilk |
| Sweeteners | Honey and molasses |
| Oils | Almond, sesame, corn |
| Grains | Corn, millet, rye, brown rice |
| Fruits | Grapefruit, sour oranges, sour pineapple, sour plums, papaya, persimmons, olives |
| Vegetables | Hot peppers, radish, tomato, beets, onion, garlic, spinach |
| Spices | Ginger, cumin, fenugreek, clove, celery seeds, salt, cayenne pepper, mustard seed |
| Nuts | Cashews, sesame seeds, peanuts |
Note Regarding Vegetarian Diet
It is not necessary to be a vegetarian in order to enjoy benefits from Ayurveda. Although a vegetarian diet is considered to be the most healthy diet in Ayurveda. Ayurveda also includes knowledge of which meats are most suitable for which types of individuals. In the treatment of many diseases, however, a vegetarian diet or moderation in the quantity of meat consumed may be recommended.
Modern medical research has also begun to find significant evidence that a properly balanced vegetarian diet may be the most healthy diet. For example research has shown that the incidence of colonic cancer and certain other cancers is lower in individuals following a vegetarian diet. In addition, the incidence of obesity, which is a major risk factor in many diseases including gall bladder disease, hypertension and adult onset diabetes, has been found to be lower in those following a vegetarian diet. Also those taking less meat in their diet have been found to have fewer problems with cholesterol, a major risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease.
Our diet is very important for our health. According to the American Cancer Society, up to 35% of the 900,000 new cases of cancer each year in the United States could be prevented by following proper dietary recommendations. Whatever diet has been recommended for use, please follow it in an easy and comfortable way. If you are currently eating meat on a regular basis, start by reducing the number of meals in which you include red meat (beef, pork, veal etc.) and substituting poultry and fish during these meals. Over a period of time, you will find that you are able to take less poultry and dish without creating strain on the physiology. If your diet becomes uncomfortable to you, please discuss it with your consultant.
Every-day herbals for Pittas
