Sluggishness, weight gain or feeling low? Ayurvedic cooking for a Kapha Imbalance
Kapha dominant people tend to be patient, nurturing, easy-going, devoted, kind, loyal, strong, curvaceous and good humoured. However when Kapha is imbalanced, there can be:
Weight gain
Fluid retention / Oedema
High cholesterol
Sluggishness
Congestion
Sadness, even depression
Kapha – what to reduce or avoid
Heavy foods tend to be kaphas’ weakness and are best avoided, especially cakes, breads, nuts, desserts and fried foods.
Dairy should be moderated for kapha types due to its heavy and cold quality. Dairy can quickly and easily increase mucus and lead to respiratory congestion. Milk when boiled and spiced with cardamom or nutmeg can be more digestible.
Cold leftovers or foods can quickly imbalance kapha.
Equally avoid cold and carbonated drinks.
Meats are heavy and often slow to digest and not great for kapha. If you feel the need for it, opt for white meats such as chicken, turkey and fish.
Lentils, tofu or beans are a great low fat source of protein. Lentils and beans, with their astringent taste and dry quality, are also balancing for kapha.
Most grains are starchy, moist and heavy and, much like meat, kapha types do not require them in excess. Grains that are flaked, puffed or come in a dry form are best. Sprouted grains can also be nutritious. Moderate measures of corn, millet and buckwheat can be good options.
Nuts and seeds can be heavy and oily and not suitable for kapha, although pumpkin and sunflower seeds can be fine in moderation.
Only light oils are recommended for kapha such as sunflower or ghee used in moderation.
Kapha - what and how to eat
Eat less in quantity and frequency.
Eat at regular times each day.
Eat a light breakfast (or skip it entirely).
Eat a light evening meal.
Eat your main meal at noon and a lighter meal early in the evening, by 7 p.m.
Avoid frequent snacking and late night eating.
Eat plenty of vegetables. Try with lentils and dahls, and drying whole grains like barley, rye, and millet.
Use warming spices to improve digestion. Cook with ginger, black pepper, a little chilli, and plenty of bitter spices, such as curry leaves, turmeric, and fenugreek seeds or leaves. Also try thyme, basil, mint, oregano, cumin, turmeric, fresh ginger, and black pepper.
Avoid the "energy sappers": leftovers and canned, bottled, frozen, and processed foods.
Avoid white flower and wheat.
A little ghee can aid digestion, as can takra (buttermilk) in a limited amount.
Drink warm water and hot herbal teas throughout the day including ginger, fennel, cinnamon or cardamom to prevent accumulations, improve digestion and cleanse body tissues.
Avoid cold, oily and heavy foods. Look for foods that are dry, light or astringent.
Consider fasting or reducing meals to two a day by skipping breakfast or dinner.
Increase physical exercise.
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