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Balance Your BMI Through Ayurveda: Vata Dosha

Fitness

Balance Your BMI Through Ayurveda: Vata Dosha

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My last week’s post on Doshas of Ayurveda introduced you to the ‘Boss’ of your body and health (Click here to find out yours).

This week, it’s time to meet the members, of  Team Health, who play an important role in the successful functioning of the organization i.e., your body.

Introducing to you the first member of the team, Mr. Vata Dosha!

This member boasts an effervescent energy (possessing all energy of movement), light slender body and is the most enthusiastic out of the other 3 members of Team Health. Though he struggles with a dry skin, hair and lips, and often gets an upset stomach, his creativity and communication skills are incomparable. Forgetful and short-tempered, he is generous and  forgives people easily.  Sadly, his overactive mind rarely lets him sleep for long.

Read on to know more about the characteristics of Mr. Vata Dosha, how to keep him balanced with all the Dos and Don’ts.

metabolism ayurveda vata doshaThe Vata Dosha is associated with the air element.

Problems related to this Dosha: Flatulence, gout, rheumatism and excessive wind. Those who have Vata Dosha usually stay underweight. Though, slight imbalance may lead to a rapid weight gain.

Contents

Working on the 5 senses to balance your Vata Dosha

Sight: Bring yellow-green color into use.

Smell: Use aroma oils that are sweet smelling and are of a warm nature. E.g.: Orange, Jasmine and Cinnamon.

Taste: Add more oil to your foods and increase the intake of bitter and pungent foods. Dates are the best if you wish to add sweet to your daily diet.

Hearing: Listen to soothing music in the late afternoon or early evening.

Touch: Get a full-body oil massage done daily.

Diet to balance Vata Dosha

Those with their dominant Dosha as Vata Dosha should have 3 meals in a day, preferably warm and well-cooked. An increase in the intake of steamed and boiled foods shall also prove to be good. Avoid cold and uncooked or raw food under all circumstances. Butter and oil can be liberally used in preparing food.

  • Breakfast
    • Hot or warm cereals
    • Sweet fruits
  • Lunch
    • 50% brown rice
    • 30% well-cooked vegetables
    • 20% light proteins
  • Late Afternoon Snack
    • Green tea or herbal tea
    • Nuts
    • Yogurt
  • Dinner
    • Soup
    • Whole-grain bread
    • Warm milk
    • Little cheese

Try to cut down the intake of:

  • Coffee, black tea
  • Sugar, ice cream, chocolate
  • Packaged food
  • Raw vegetables
  • Iced drinks
  • Beans and pulses as they are hard to digest

Exercises

Those with Vata Dosha should practice gentle exercise such as Yoga, dancing and light aerobics.

If you have a pure Vata Dosha, then you are less likely to be overweight, but have more problems in gaining weight. Following the suggested meals would balance your dosha along with the other elements and help you maintain a healthy weight.

However, there is also a possibility that your type is a mix of two Doshas.

In that case, stay tuned for my post on Pitta Dosha and Kapha Dosha in the coming weeks.

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