Are you gaining weight despite eating healthy? Feeling overwhelmed by stress and emotions? Have a hard time focusing at work? In this case, your Kapha might be out-of-balance.
An aggravated Kapha can wreak havoc on your mind and body. Your energy will drop, your cravings will increase, and the scale will go up. In the long run, you may experience respiratory disorders, heart problems, and depression.
Fortunately, it’s never too late to bring Kapha into balance. What you eat has the biggest impact on your Dosha. Kapha people respond best to warm and hot foods, well-spiced meals, and freshly cooked dishes. Their diet should consist of local and seasonal produce, white meat, and fish. At the same time, it’s recommended to avoid fried, oily, sour, and sweet foods. Alcohol, except for an occasional glass of wine, is off limits.
What to Eat to Soothe Your Kapha
Kapha individuals are prone to weight gain and have a tendency to overeat during times of stress. Their diet should include light meals and lots of fresh produce. Choose warm over cold, dry over moist, and rough over smooth. Bitter, pungent, and astringent foods should come first on your list.
This Dosha thrives on a minimalist diet with small meals. Sugary treats, snacks and alcoholic beverages should be kept to a minimum. Fasting and regular cleanses can help prevent weight gain and balance your Kapha. Let’s see what you should eat:
- Sour fruits (apples, pomegranate, cranberries, pears, citrus fruits, berries, etc.)
- Most vegetables (bell peppers, cruciferous veggies, spinach, kale, carrots, tunips, garlic, etc.)
- Certain grains (quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, rye, millet, barley)
- Oats, brown rice, and basmati rice in moderation
- All legumes and beans
- Small amounts of almonds, pine nuts, and seeds
- Dark chicken and turkey meat
- Rabbit
- Eggs (cooked without fat)
- Freshwater fish in moderation
- Unrefined olive oil flaxseed oil, and ghee in moderation
- Most spices (cloves, black pepper, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, oregano, ginger, etc.)
- Small amounts of raw honey and stevia
- Small amounts of milk, hard cheese, cottage cheese, and unsalted butter
- Fruit juices in moderation (diluted with water)
- Herbal teas
Ideally, fast with water, soups, and herbal teas once a week. Avoid sugar and most sweeteners. Drink warm ginger tea for a better digestion. Sweet fruits, such as bananas, figs, and dates, are not recommended. Most meals should be rich in vegetables and spices.
What NOT to Eat
People with a Kapha body type should avoid most foods that are sweet and high in fat. Cold and frozen beverages are not allowed. Try to limit meat and dairy as much as possible. The same goes for grains, nuts, seeds, and root vegetables. Most fruits boast large amounts of fructose, so they should only be consumed occasionally. Avoid the following:
- Naturally sweet fruits (raisins, mango, dates, coconut, bananas)
- Corn, wheat, white rice, wild rice, and semolina
- Tomatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Yams
- Squash
- Pickles
- Cucumbers
- Most nuts and seeds (peanuts, Macadamia nuts, cashews, pistachios, sunflower seeds, etc.)
- Red meat (lamb, venison, beef)
- Shellfish
- Saltwater fish
- Most oils and fats (butter, soy oil, sunflower oil, almond oil, olives, tahini, mayonnaise)
- Certain spices (vanilla, nutmeg)
- Sugar and most sweeteners (fructose, sugar cane juice, coconut sugar, maple syrup, etc.)
- Most dairy (yogurt, sour cream, feta cheese, buttermilk, salted butter)
- Almond milk, hot chocolate, fruit-based smoothies, licorice root, milk chocolate
Now that you know what a Kapha-pacifying diet looks like, give it a try! A few weeks from now on, you’ll feel lighter, have greater energy, and enjoy better digestion. For inspiration, check out the delicious recipes included in our special Kapha diet plan! (insert linik)
