If you are slow to anger, sweet-tempered and larger in build,
you probably have more of Kapha dosha in your mind-body
makeup. Kapha dosha is comprised of the water and earth
elements, so you will naturally have more moisture in your
skin, for instance, and reflect more of the stability of
the earth in your steady emotions. These are both admirable
qualities, and there are many more that a Kapha person can
claim: strength, stamina, loyalty, graceful movements, and
a good long-term memory.
To
stay healthy, though, you will need to counterbalance your
watery, earthy nature by infusing more of the other three
elements -- space, air and fire -- into your system. Adding
these elements to your diet can keep you from developing
the Kapha-aggravated imbalances that you might be susceptible
to, such as respiratory congestion, oily skin, lethargy,
mental dullness and weight gain.
Fire, Air and Space
The fire element is found in pungent, spicy tastes. Adding
a little zing to your diet with spices can invigorate a
sluggish metabolism. Pungent spices such as fresh ginger,
chilies and black pepper, and cumin and turmeric are all
Kapha balancing. You can sprinkle these spices in soups
and stews, or sauté them in a small amount of olive
oil and add to steamed vegetables.
The
space and air element are found in the astringent and bitter
tastes. Astringent tastes include split mung dhal and other
beans and pulses, excellent foods for balancing the moist
Kapha dosha. Cook them in a soup with vegetables and grains,
and add the spices mentioned above. Astringent vegetables
such as cauliflower, broccoli and brussels sprouts are good
choices for Kapha types, when cooked well and seasoned with
Kapha-balancing spices. Astringent fruits such as apples,
pears, and pomegranate are good choices. Favor the grains
that are lighter and easier to digest, such as barley and
millet.
Bitter
tastes are found in greens such as spinach, kale, and chard,
and herbs such as parsley and fenugreek. Cook your greens
-- they are lighter and easier to digest than raw salads
and other cold foods.
In
general, you'll want to eat warm, well-cooked foods as these
have the intelligence of fire added to them, and lighter,
non-oily foods that are easier to digest, as these have
the elements of space and air in their nature. You'll also
want to go lighter on the sweet, sour and salty tastes,
as these foods increase Kapha dosha.
Three
Warm Meals a Day
You may be tempted to skip meals or habitually forget to
eat breakfast. But the best thing to do is eat a light,
warm breakfast to get the digestive fires burning. But wait,
if you're reaching for the cold cereal with milk (sweet
tastes) and bananas (sour), think again. The cold temperature
and sweet and sour tastes only increase Kapha and are difficult
to digest.
Instead, try cooking a chopped apple or pear with prunes.
Season with cinnamon or cardamom. This is an ideal breakfast
for getting a slow Kapha digestion off to a good start --
light, easy to digest and warm.
At noon, you'll want to eat your heaviest meal, as that's
when your digestive fire is strongest. If you eat meat,
this is the best time to digest it. For protein, you could
eat a dhal or lentil soup with vegetables and spices, along
with a vegetable dish of cooked greens spiced with Kapha-balancing
spices, a grain such as quinoa or polenta, and a piece of
fruit for dessert. In the evening, you could eat similar
foods, only much smaller portions, because the digestive
fire is muted after sunset. If you eat a large meal then,
you'll only create ama, the waste product of digestion which
contributes to disease and weight gain.
Sipping
hot water or tea with stimulating spices such as ginger,
cloves and pepper throughout the day is a good way to reduce
ama. If you boil the water for five minutes first, it will
become infused with the fire element and in turn will infuse
warmth into your body. Stay away from any ice-cold drinks,
as those will only douse the digestive fire.
One
of the best digestive aids for a Kapha person is to avoid
snacking between meals. Your slower metabolism will only
get more sluggish if you eat food before the previous meal
is digested. Give your digestion a break with these simple
tips -- and you'll feel lighter and more energetic as a
result.
