Introduction:

As per the principles of Ayurveda, Vata is one of the three doshas that control the functioning of the body. Vata is the dosha that controls movement and communication in the body, and its balance is essential for maintaining overall health and wellness. When Vata dosha is aggravated, it can cause a variety of physical and mental symptoms such as dry skin, constipation, anxiety, and insomnia. One way to balance Vata dosha is through the consumption of Vaata pacifying foods.

The following are some Vaata pacifying foods that I recommend that can be incorporated into your diet to balance Vata dosha:

Fruits

Fruits that pacify vaata will generally be sweet and nourishing. While some raw fruit is appropriate, cooked or stewed fruits are easier to digest and offer additional warmth, moisture, and sweetness—which makes them even more beneficial for vata. Fruits to avoid are those that are exceptionally cooling, astringent (drying), or rough, which includes most dried fruit (unless it has been soaked or cooked to rehydrate).

And remember, fruits and fruit juices are best enjoyed alone—30 minutes before, and ideally at least 1 hour after, any other food. This helps to ensure optimal digestion. Note: this rule does not apply to fruits we typically consider vegetables (avocados, cucumbers, tomatoes, etc.). You will find these fruits listed among the “vegetables.”

Vegetables

Vegetables that pacify vaata will generally be sweet, moist, and cooked. Root vegetables are especially beneficial because they grow underground, and are therefore supremely grounding and stabilizing for vaata. Avoid exceptionally dry, rough, and cold vegetables, including most raw vegetables. If you must have raw veggies, a salad, or any of the vata-aggravating vegetables, keep the quantities small and eat them at mid-day, when digestive strength is at its peak. A really thorough cooking or a well-spiced, oily dressing will help to offset some of the dry, rough qualities of these foods.

Grains

Grains that pacify vata are generally sweet, nourishing, easily digested, and well-cooked. Mushy grains and puddings (things like oatmeal, cream of wheat and rice pudding) exemplify the smooth quality and, when sweetened and spiced, are often delicious comfort foods. Avoid grains that are exceptionally light, dry, rough, or especially dense and heavy. It is one or more of these qualities that gives the grains in the “avoid” column below, their capacity to disturb vata.

Legumes

Vata can enjoy a narrow selection of legumes, provided they are well-cooked and well-spiced. The beans that work best for vata are a little less dense, rough, and dry than other legumes. They tend to cook relatively quickly, are easily digested, and offer a grounding, nourishing quality. Many other beans are too dry, rough, and hard for vata’s delicate digestion.

Dairy

Dairy products are generally quite balancing for vata, but it’s good to avoid highly processed preparations (like powdered milk), especially cold dairy products. For example, boiled cow’s milk (ideally a non-homogenized variety) spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, sweetened if desired, and served hot, is a tonic for vata, whereas cold cow’s milk may be too difficult for many to digest. As a rule, dairy milk (cow’s milk, goat’s milk, sheep’s milk, etc.) should be taken at least one hour before or after any other food. For this reason, avoid drinking milk with meals. Almond and rice milk are good substitutes, if you need to combine milk with other foods, or if you don’t digest dairy milk well.

Nuts & Seeds

In moderation, all nuts and most seeds are pacifying to vata. They are oily and nutritious, and they offer a power-packed combination of proteins and fats that are highly beneficial to vata. That said, nuts and seeds are quite heavy and should be eaten in small quantities so as not to overwhelm vats’ fickle digestive capacity.