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5-Day Ayurveda Primer (Day Three)

5-Day Ayurveda Primer (Day Three)

Natural Healing Wisdom from the Chopra Center

Day Three: The Six Tastes of Ayurveda

Long before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration provided us with recommended daily allowances for fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, we listened to our taste buds to determine which substances were edible and how much of them to consume. Ayurveda teaches that all six tastes should be eaten at every meal for us to feel satisfied and to ensure that all major food groups and nutrients are represented. Here's our recommendation.

TASTEFOOD SOURCESTASTE BASISMIND-BODY EFFECT
SWEETgrains, pasta, rice, bread, starchy vegetables, dairy, meat, chicken, fish, sugar, honey, mollassescarbohydrates, protein, fat

soothing & satisfying

builds muscle mass

balances vata and pitta doshas

when excessive aggravates kapha dosha

SOURcitrus fruits, berries, tomatoes, pickled foods, salad dressing, alcoholorganic acids: ascorbic acid, citric acid, acetic acid

stimulates appetite

aids digestion

balances vata

when excessive aggravates pitta and kapha

SALTYtable salt, soy sauce, salted meats, fishmineral salts

enhances appetite

makes other tastes delicious

balances vata

when excessive increases kapha and pitta elements

PUNGENTpeppers, chilis, onions, garlic, cayenne, black pepper, cloves, ginger, mustard, salsaessential oils

promotes sweating

clears sinus passages

balances kapha

when excessive irritates vata and pitta

BITTERgreen, leafy vegetables, green and yello vegetables, kale, celery, broccoli, sprouts, beetsalkaloids or glycosides

detoxes system

balances kapha and pitta

when excessive increases vata and may cause gas

ASTRINGENTlentils, dried beans, green apples, grape skins, cauliflower, pomegranates, teatannins

balances kapha and pitta

when excessive increases vata

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