So what Dosha are You?

by Pip Atherstone-Reid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KAPHA:

EARTH & WATER

  • Larger build
  • Tendency for weight gain
  • Slow to learn, slow to forget
  • Sweet and even tempered
  • Dislikes cold and wet weather
  • Sluggish temperament

 

Foods:

  • Sluggish and cool Kapha needs to be warmed and spiced up
  • Light, dry, warm and pungent foods benefit Kapha
  • Minimal amounts of fats and oils
  • Can use honey, but never cook with it
  • Grains such as Barley, Buckwheat & Rye are great
  • Light fruits such as red apples and cranberries
  • Diluted milk is ok, but minimize cultured dairy products
  • Kapha can eat all the spices but need to keep salt low
  • Pumpkin, sunflower and all beans are great except oily soy beans
  • Bitter, pungent and astringent foods pacify Kapha

PITTA:

FIRE & WATER

  • Medium build
  • Balanced weight
  • Sharp intellect
  • Goal orientated
  • Becomes hot easily

 

Foods:

  • Fiery Pitta need to be cooled down
  • Serve food at room temperature but be careful with ice cold food & drinks as they inhibit the digestive fire
  • Reduce oil, fat (but do not eliminate) and salt
  • All sweet, ripe fruit and vegetables; except garlic, radishes, chilly and tomatoes
  • Moderate amount of dairy, but reduce sour cultured dairy products
  • Coriander & mint can have a cooling effect
  • Coconut, pomegranates, rice pudding all have a cooling effect
  • Sweet, astringent and bitter foods pacify Pitta

VATA:

AIR & ETHER

  • Thin build
  • Does not gain weight easily
  • Quick to learn, quick to forget
  • Enthusiastic and vivacious
  • Becomes cold easily
  • Tendency to dryness, roughness and lightness
  • Tends to anxiety & over-activity

 

Foods:

  • Vata need foods that calm their tendency for anxiety and over-activity
  • Heavier, cooked foods served warm
  • Dairy products, some sweet foods
  • Foods cooked or served with fats and oils, such as Ghee
  • Rice and wheat are excellent
  • Juicy fruits, vegetables and heavy fruits such as avocado & bananas
  • Sweet and sour vegetables
  • Sweet, salty and sour foods pacify Vata

 

Please leave a comment! We love to hear from you!

 

 

Pip Atherstone-Reid is the co-founder and co-owner of Kundalini House and has been an Acupuncture and TCM practitioner for over 15 years. She is available for Acupuncture & TCM appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays.