You are what you digest
Hi!
I am back with the (almost) end of our series: 4 pillars for good health. We have covered silence, sleep and exercise so far and today we will begin on a much awaited topic: diet.
Most people know of Ayurveda as a nutritional system. Ayurveda is very vast and that is only a fraction of what this science teaches. With that said, food is a huge topic and in my opinion, one of the most fascinating subjects to talk about. Even more fascinating is the way Ayurveda approaches food, which is completely different than what we are used to in the West.
To start, we have to understand the main purpose of these teachings. Ayurveda aims to align us with nature. We are a microcosm in the macrocosm, and everything that is in nature, is also in us. In nature, we find 5 elements that exist in everything: air, space, fire, water and earth. If we are part of nature, these elements are also part of us, in different proportions. That’s what makes us unique! (If you want to a video on this, you can click here)
To be balanced means to have the elements of your natal constitution (which happens at the time of conceiving) in check. It doesn’t mean to have all of these elements equally balanced.
So how can food help?
The concept of the six tastes is the focal point in ayurvedic culinary. These tastes are: sweet, salty, sour, pungent, bitter and astringent.
In these tastes we find the 5 elements previously mentioned. So here is a breakdown:
Now, how do we put the 2 and 2 together?
The way we use this information is by using the golden rule I will never cease to repeat: like increases like, and opposite balances.
Say you are someone that tends to feel heavy after meals, who doesn’t love to move around, and maybe has a bigger body structure with heavier bones and muscles. Most likely the elements more prominent in your constitution are earth and water. So when cooking, you will incorporate all six tastes but you will need to focus more of the “airy” elements & taste to counterbalance this density. The tastes pungent, bitter and astringent will be better options for you to maintain balance.
If you’re someone that runs hot and tends to have bursts of anger, irritability, skin issues, you most likely have fire in you (or at least in your imbalance). Focusing on tastes that do not contain fire is a good idea! Sweet, bitter and astringent are your gems.
How do we know which foods contain which tastes?
Sweet foods are NOT sugar! It comes from naturally occurring sugars such as in root vegetables, sweet fruits, honey, rice and milk products.
Salt in the correct amount is vital in our diet. It is grounding for the nervous system and encourages stability. In excess it creates the desire for more flavor.
The sour flavor is found in citrus fruits, yogurts, fresh cheese, sour cream and fermented food. Sour foods increase the flow of saliva which helps digestion. A few drops of lime in your meal go a long way!
The pungent taste is very cleansing (think of hot peppers) and stimulating. It dries excess mucus and moisture. A balanced pungent taste such as with cinnamon and ginger is a great way to kick a slow digestion, but chilli peppers and other super hot ingredients can create disturbances in the mind and body.
Bitter is not usually a taste most people like and consume, but it’s essential to remove toxins and drain excess fluids from the body. It’s found in leafy greens, certain fruits such as grapefruit and bitter melon, spices such as turmeric, fenugreek and dandelion, coffee and tea. Just be mindful if you already tend to feel drier and dehydrated. You don’t want to use this flavor in excess.
Astringent is the driest flavor. Think of the chalky consistency you get in your mouth when chewing chickpeas, or when your whole mouth contracts when eating cranberries. That’s astringent! Some examples are legumes (lentils, beans), some fruits (cranberries, pomegranates, pears, dried fruit), vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, artichoke, asparagus, turnip), grains (rye, buckwheat, quinoa), spices (turmeric, marjoram), dry crackers, and some raw vegetables and fruit skins. This taste also absorbs a lot of water from your body.
I hope this helps you understand a little bit about the food you consume and how you can think of ways to bring balance according to how you feel.
Next time I will continue exploring the subject of diet touching on food combinations and some tips for good digestion.
As always, let me know if you try anything new and would like to share. If you follow the blog, I will be sharing a delicious fall recipe to celebrate the beginning of this lovely season.
Until soon,
Thais
Disclaimer: This article was written for educational purposes only and is based on the tradition of Ayurveda. It is not intended to treat, diagnose or heal any health condition or to replace any medical advice.
*Pukka herbs. “The six tastes of Ayurveda.” Pukka Herbs, 2020, https://www.pukkaherbs.com/us/en/wellbeing-articles/the-six-tastes-of-ayurveda.html.
