Creating a well-balanced diet composition based on Ayurveda involves focusing on the body’s unique constitution (Doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) and how food influences overall health and wellness. Ayurvedic diet compositions aim to balance these Doshas and promote harmony between the body, mind, and spirit. Below is a guide to understanding Ayurvedic diet composition and how to structure meals for optimal health.

Ayurvedic Diet Composition Overview

The Ayurvedic diet emphasizes balance in both the types of foods consumed and the qualities of food. Foods are classified by their taste (Rasa), energy (Virya), post-digestive effect (Vipaka), and their quality (Guna).

• Rasa (Taste): There are six tastes in Ayurveda: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent. Each taste has its own effect on the body.
• Virya (Energy): This refers to the heating or cooling properties of food.
• Vipaka (Post-Digestive Effect): This describes how food impacts the body after digestion.
• Guna (Quality): These are qualities that foods possess, such as heavy, light, dry, oily, etc.