After weeks of learning about Pitta and Vata dosha, it’s finally time to learn all about the third constitution, Kapha!

If you still don’t know your Ayurvedic constitution/s, then go back to this post (https://elev8lifeholistic.com/an-intro-to-the-oldest-healing-system/) and do the quiz to find out.

  

  

The Kapha dosha is made up of the earth and water elements. A kapha body is solid and sometimes stocky. They have large features: lush hair, large eyes and thick lips. A kapha personality is sweet, loving and loyal. Kapha-types are also solid, steady and love routine. They love stability, move slowly and have big, open hearts.

KAPHA – The stability and solidity of Earth – “Provide support and substance for the body”
Kapha qualities are solid, stable, heavy, oily and sweet. Kapha promotes healing and resistance to disease.
When Kapha is out of balance physically, they gain weight (it’s also hard for them to lose it), have excess mucus, lethargy and nausea associated with the digestive tract can also become problem. They can be attached and stubborn emotionally and Kapha skin manifests with excess oiliness, congestion, cystic acne, blackheads & large pores.
Treat Kapha with a warm, light, dry and stimulating diet which is easy to digest and ideally served warm or hot. Fasting or a light diet is usually good.
The tastes that balance Kapha are pungent, bitter and astringent.
Tastes that increase Kapha are sweet, sour and salty.
Kapha thrives on a fairly minimalistic diet with smaller meals, very little or no snacking, few sweets, loads of fresh fruits and veggies, and a variety of legumes.

  

  

Suggested Food Choices for the Kapha Dosha

Grains: Dry oats, barley, corn, millet, rice (basmati, small amount) and rye.
Vegetables: Pungent and bitter veggies such as asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, eggplant, leafy greens, mushrooms, okra, onions, parsley, peas, peppers, white potato, radishes, spinach and sprouts.
Fruits: Apricots, berries, cherries, dry figs, mangos, peaches, pears, persimmon, pomegranate, prunes and raisins.
Legumes: All legumes are good except kidney beans, soy beans and tofu, black lentils and mung beans.
Animal foods: Chicken, scrambled eggs, rabbit, turkey, shrimp, venison.
Dairy: No dairy except for ghee and goat’s milk.
Oils: No oils except for almond, corn or sunflower oil in small amounts.
Nuts and Seeds: Minimal nuts and moderate soaked nuts. Minimal seeds except sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Moderate sprouted and soaked seeds.
Sweeteners: Minimal sweeteners except for raw honey.
Spices/condiments: All spices are good except for salt.

Remember that red meat, artificial sweeteners, and processed foods are limited for all three doshas. Instead, Ayurveda recommends eating healthy whole foods!

Share this with someone you think would also benefit and see you next week for Kapha lifestyle recommendations!