Ayurvedic nutrition: the basic principles of Ayurvedic cuisine
Ayurveda is the oldest holistic healing art of humanity. Ayurvedic nutrition is one of its core elements. Depending on the type, one can ensure a healthy body and a balanced mind with suitable foods.
Where does Ayurveda come from?
Ayurveda originates from India and can be translated as follows: The knowledge (veda) of long life (ayur). The holistic system includes the following points: Massages, special cleansing treatments (Panchakarma), body exercises (Yoga) and the most important element, the dietary teachings. All of these are intended to keep bodily functions such as metabolism, digestion, tissue, and excretion in balance, so that diseases cannot arise.
The three Doshas
In Ayurveda, it is believed that nature in all its forms of expression consists of the five elements of fire, earth, water, air, and ether.
From these elements arise three groups with different characteristics. These influence the human body and are referred to as Doshas . They are divided into Kapha, Pitta and Vata.
These are the three fundamental life energies of humans, and translated from Sanskrit, it means "that which can spoil."
According to Ayurvedic teachings, diseases arise from the imbalance of the three Doshas and each person is born with a completely individual constellation of Doshas.
In Ayurveda, there is also a distinction between only three instead of four seasonal phases.
The Kapha phase is from February to May.
The Pitta phase is from June to September.
The Vata phase is from October to January.
These characteristics distinguish the three Doshas
Kapha holds things together and is formed by the elements water and earth. It stands for mental and physical strength and stabilizes the immune system.
Pitta stands for "warming" and is responsible for the metabolism, the digestive system and other biochemical activities in the human body. It consists of the fundamental elements of fire and water.
Vata translates as "to move" and regulates all movement processes in the human body. It supports the conscious and unconscious movements and activities of the body. It originates from the fundamental elements of air and ether and is responsible for regulating circulation and body structure as well as tissue.
Unite six tastes
Regardless of which Dosha is yours, every meal should contain all six tastes sweet, sour, salty, astringent, bitter, and spicy. Foods that are not completely digested leave behind metabolic residues and toxic substances, known as Ama, which can be the cause of numerous ailments.
Proper combination of foods
In addition to focusing on the Doshas, emphasis is also placed on a high quality of food, easy assimilation of the meals, and the proper combination of foods. Cardamom for example stimulates Agni, the digestive fire.
The following should be observed when combining foods:
Animal proteins+
It is important that you do not combine animal proteins (meat, fish, eggs, or milk) with each other, as this can lead to metabolic residues .
Dairy products+
Since milk is considered an independent food, it should not be mixed with salty or sour, vegetables or fresh fruits . Thus, muesli with fruit and yogurt is not considered the perfect breakfast from an Ayurvedic perspective.
From an Ayurvedic perspective, only legumes, mung beans, chickpeas, and lentils are suitable for combination with milk.
Fruits+
Fruits should generally be eaten alone because combining them with other foods can lead to a fermentation process in the digestive tract.
Sweet foods+
Sweet foods include grains, pasta, potatoes, and fats. You should ideally combine these with vegetables and salad .
Rice+
Rice, as a light food, is the exception and goes with everything.
You should eat only when you are truly hungry and consider skipping snacks in between. You should have a break of several hours between meals so that the food can be fully digested before introducing new items.
A great recipe is the Golden Milk
A main component of golden milk, responsible for the color, is turmeric. The golden-yellow spice is said to have many beneficial properties, such as having an anti-inflammatory effect and acting as the perfect joint lubricant. It ensures flexible joints and breaks down calcium deposits. Additionally, it cleanses the lungs and relieves the liver.
Recipe for turmeric paste
1/4 cup turmeric
3/4 cup pure, still water
Put the water in a pot, mix with the turmeric andheat . Let it simmer for about 11 minutes
on low heat, stirring regularly, until it forms a paste. Then simply let the paste cool and place in a sealable container
. The paste will keep for about 3 weeks.
Recipe Golden Milk
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon turmeric paste
optional: ground black pepper
optional: ghee Mix the two ingredients and heat themilk . Then you can add some ground black pepper and some ghee
. This way, the effect of turmeric unfolds best. For a you consume the drink over a period of 3 months regularly. Especially in the evening, Golden Milk is perfect as a nightcap.
Alternatively, you can also stir in and enjoy our Golden Calm Evening Milk with milk or a milk alternative.
Do you want to do something good for yourself ? Then why not try a Panchakarma cure at home. The actress and TV doctor Andrea Kathrin Loewig has developed a very individual Panchakarma cure for your own four walls in collaboration with our EA experts Elisabeth Mauracher and Gaurav Sharma . In her book: "Ayurveda: the 7-day Panchakarma cure for at home" she gives valuable tips on detoxification, offers a lot of background knowledge and brings delicious recipes for a healthy kitchen.
Hopefully, you now have a rough insight into Ayurvedic cuisine and maybe you will directly try out the Golden Milk on the next occasion. Enjoy it!