Ayurveda is a unique balance between science & wellness and the art of healthy living, which our forefathers have followed since time immemorial. It describes five pillars of wellness: meditation, emotional wellbeing, rest, movement, and food & nutrition. This ensures general wellness, therapeutic remedies for body, hair, and skin concerns, and promotes a better lifestyle and diet. We interviewed Dr Ipsita Chatterjee, SoulTree’s celebrated Ayurvedic Vaidya, to delve deeper into what is an Ayurveda diet, what to follow, and many more facts.

What is an Ayurvedic diet? Is it dosha specific?
An Ayurvedic diet promotes mindful eating and suggests food according to your dosha. Yes, your diet is dosha specific and is responsible for physiological factors. The foods you eat promote a healthy lifestyle and maintain an inner balance and overall health. Your dominant dosha categorises your being: Vata - governed by air, Pitta - governed by fire, and Kapha - governed by earth and water.

How do I determine my dominant dosha and the Ayurvedic diet plan according to it?
The first step is to visit an Ayurvedic Vaidya to determine your dosha. SoulTree offers comprehensive Ayurvedic consultations at our Soul Sanctums, wherein you receive an in-depth Prakriti Parikshan and personalised advice & rituals for holistic beauty and wellness. This way, once you determine your dosha, your doctor can recommend the right foods to balance your doshas and make your diet more effective.

What are the best Ayurvedic practices for mindful eating?
Dr Chatterjee says, “Although all of us embody all the three doshas, the dominant dosha determines what you should eat and what will suit you the best.”

She lists down certain Ayurvedic practices for mindful eating below.
- Eat with concentration and any distractions. Focus on what you are eating rather than just gulping the food down.
- Eat slowly and chew enough.
- Be aware and conscious of what you are eating. To avoid overeating and untimely snacking, be conscious of your hunger signals. At times, we only eat to curb boredom.
- There should be a proper time gap between your meals. A minimum of three - hours and a maximum of six hours before you sit down to eat another meal.
Dinner can be avoided depending on your hunger levels. Many doctors and Ayurvedic experts recommend eating breakfast like a king, your lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper.

Can you suggest an Ayurvedic diet chart according to doshas for healthy eating?
Sure, the following Ayurvedic diet plan promotes mindful & healthy eating; however, they are not all-inclusive. You can refer to the diet plan below, but if you choose to follow the Ayurveda way of living, I suggest consulting your doctor for proper dosha determination and finding meal plans that work for you.

Vata Dosha Diet:
Breakfast - Veg Dalia + Egg White + Banana
Lunch - Boiled Rice + Curd + Salad + Dal
Dinner - Wholegrain Chapati + Ghee + Basmati Rice + Spinach Dal

Pitta Dosha Diet:
Breakfast - Coconut Water with an empty stomach + Sweet Potatoes + Dates and Eggs
Lunch - Leafy vegetables + Basmati Rice + Curd, Pulses + Unsalted ghee
Dinner - Mushrooms + Potatoes + White Rice and Peas + Moong Dal

Kapha Dosha Diet:
Breakfast: 1 cup green tea + 1 medium size low-fat onion-cauliflower paratha with 1 cup low-fat curd
Lunch: 1 cup Salad + 2 Multigrain chapatti or 1 cup Brown rice
Dinner: 1 cup Vegetable Soup + 1 cup Khichdi

Can you recommend an Ayurvedic plan for weight loss?
An ayurvedic diet is customised according to your doshas. Thus, it is difficult to emphasise calorie and nutritional aspects. Ayurveda focuses on balance; hence, consult a nutritionist to find a bridge between calories and health. They will create a mindful diet according to your bodily needs.