‘You are what you eat.’ Does that sound familiar? I am sure you have heard that statement before especially if you are just learning of the many ways to stay healthy. I believe I am what I eat and if you believe the same, then it is important that you pay particular attention to the food that you put in your body.

Many physical and mental disorders of the western modern population are caused by incorrect eating habits. They can, however be cured with a proper diet. But what is a proper diet you may ask?

As an Ayurvedic Nutritionist and a ‘western’ Nutritionist, one of the best approaches I learned towards optimum health is to combine the principals and wisdom of the 5,000-year-old ayurvedic philosophy with its different constitutions (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) and adjust them for western people in the modern world. Both worlds can benefit from each other creating harmony as one of the first intentions. Ayurveda nutrition is based on three constitutions: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. A basic diet would revolve around their unique characteristics and qualities:

Vata (ether and air) is light, dry, cold and irregular. Vata people have a naturally thin body structure. Skin, hair, nails, and intestines are dry (tendency to constipation) and their body gets quickly cold, especially the hands and feet. Therefore, Vatas love heat and can’t get enough sunshine. They don’t like routines. They are constantly doing something and always on the move (love to travel). A Vata person’s mind is generally busy and they find it very difficult to relax. Vatas have a tendency to have high level of anxiety, worry and insecurity.

Pitta (fire and water) is hot, oily and irritable. People with a Pitta constitution have an average athletic body structure, their body is generally warm, they sweat quickly and can’t stand too much heat and sunshine. The skin is soft and pink and the hair tends to fall out quickly or grey early. The digestive fire is strong (tendency to diarrhea). Pittas are active, logical thinking and good organisers, but can easily be bad tempered, impatient, angry and jealous.

Kapha (water and earth) is cold, wet and stable. Kaphas have a round body and by nature thicker bones. Generally it is hard for Kaphas to lose weight. Skin and hair is soft, oily and healthy. Kaphas are very pleasant to be around with, they love to socialise but also like to stay cosy at home, doing nothing. Kaphas can easily get lazy, phlegmatic and attached. They have a tendency to become overweight, suffer from respiratory problems, fatigue and depression.

Ayurveda literally means ‘science of life’ and teaches us how to live a healthy, happy and long life. Namaste!

For an initial Nutrition consultation and food plan, contact Diana directly at Algarve Yoga.