Vata Balancing Foods
For those experiencing Vata-Derived Symptoms ~ For Vata Season
Fruits
Avoid: Dried fruit, raw apples, pears, prunes/raisins (dry)
Favor: Sweet fruit, bananas, berries, cherries, grapefruit, grapes, lemons, limes, melons, oranges, peaches, pineapples, plums, prunes/raisins (soaked)
Veggies
Avoid: Dried, frozen, or raw vegetables; broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, fresh corn (occasional), eggplant, kale, mushrooms, onions/peas (raw), peppers, white potato, winter squash, raw tomatoes (cooked ok on occasion)
Favor: Most cooked veggies; asparagus, beets, carrots, cilantro, cucumber, green beans, lettuce/leafy greens (in moderation), cooked onion, parsnip, cooked peas, sweet potato, pumpkin, spinach/sprouts (in moderation), summer squash, zucchini
Grains
Avoid: Barley, bran, bread (yeast), buckwheat (ok on occasion), corn granola, millet, dry oats, rice cakes, rye
Favor: Amaranth (in moderation), cooked oats, quinoa, rice, wheat
Legumes
Avoid: Black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, Brown lentils, Miso (ok on occasion), Navy beans, Dried peas, pinto beans, soy beans, tempeh
Favor: Red lentils (in moderation), mung beans, soy cheese, soy milk (in moderation), soy sauce (in moderation), tofu
Dairy
Avoid: Powdered cow’s or goat’s milk, ice cream (ok on occasion), yoghurt (plain)
Favor: Most dairy is ok, buttermilk, butter, ghee, hard or soft cheese, cow’s/goat’s milk, sour cream (ok in moderation), spiced yoghurt
Meat
Avoid: Chicken (light meat), lamb, mutton, pork, rabbit, venison, white turkey
Favor: Beef, chicken (dark meat), eggs, fish, shrimp, turkey (dark meat)
Condiments
Avoid: Chocolate, horseradish
Favor: Chili peppers (in moderation), lemon, lime, mayo, mustard, pickles, salt, seaweed, vinegar
Nuts
In moderation, all are good
Seeds
Avoid: Psyllium
Favor: Flax, pumpkin, sesame, sunflower
Oils
Avoid: Flax seed
Favor: Ghee, sesame, olive, most other oils; coconut for external use
Beverages
Avoid: Hard alcohol, red wine, apple juice, caffeine, chocolate milk, cranberry juice, icy cold drinks, iced tea, prune juice (ok in moderation), soy milk (cold), tomato juice (ok on occasion). Herb teas: Dandelion, ginseng, (nettle, red clover, Yerba mate ok on occasion)
Favor: Beer, white wine if taking alcohol, almond milk, apple cider, carob (in moderation), grape juice, lemonade, orange juice, pineapple juice, well spiced/hot soy milk. Herb teas: Bancha, cinnamon (on occasion), fennel, licorice, peppermint, rosehips
Spices
Most spices are good!
Sweeteners
Avoid: Maple syrup (ok on occasion), white sugar
Favor: Barley malt, raw honey, molasses, natural sugar, rice syrup
~ adapted from Dr. Vasant Lad’s Texbook of Ayurveda: Fundamental Principles