Article by Kerstin Rosenberg, Ayurveda nutrition expert and managing director of the European Academy of Ayurveda.
Implementing the type-appropriate approach of Ayurvedic nutrition in one's own family in a professional way that is suitable for everyday life can be quite simple. And yet many Ayurveda beginners and professionals find it a stressful challenge to reconcile the constitutional needs of parents, children, grandma and dog. "Do I have to cook extra for everyone in the family now?" is one of the most common questions asked after an Ayurvedic nutrition consultation. Fortunately, we can reassure our clients because Ayurveda makes our lives simpler, not more complicated. Even in family diets that are true to type!
Ayurveda creatively packaged
Basically, Ayurveda views every meal as a nourishing source of vital nutrients for physical and mental balance. Through a balanced diet with plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, fats and dairy products, the metabolism receives everything it needs for daily cell renewal. I cannot confirm from my own experience that all family members go into raptures when there is a typical Indian-inspired Ayurveda menu with rice, dal, vegetables and chutney every day. What is needed here for the very young and the older ones is more variety through Mediterranean and regionally inspired recipes that can also be prepared according to Ayurvedic principles without always tasting like cumin and coriander.
Constitutionally appropriate variations within a menu
The individual, dosha-regulating component is integrated by emphasizing individual flavors (rasa). In daily nutritional practice, this means that a common family menu can be easily "individualized according to type" by selecting menu components and adding spices:
- Vata-emphasized family members with a tendency to dry skin, flatulence or a feeling of coldness require more moist and oily food with sweet, sour and salty tastes. For this, they make sure to eat enough soft-cooked grains and protein foods and season their food with a little lemon and salt.
- Pitta family members with tendency to excessive heat and acidity should prefer cooling and heavy foods. They satisfy their large appetites with a sweet dish, grains, and plenty of root and bitter leafy vegetables. However, instead of seasoning with lemon and salt, they use enough ghee, coriander and turmeric.
- Kapha-betone family members with a tendency to obesity and colds would do well to eat a little less in general and stimulate their weak digestive fire with spicy, bitter and tart foods. Seasoning with a spicy curry and pepper mixture is very good. Dairy products such as cheese or yoghurt, on the other hand, should be avoided.