Vata Foods List

Vata Foods List
In general, a Vata diet contains foods that have warming, moist and heavy qualities
and sweet, sour and salty tastes. The types of foods that should be limited are
cooling, dry, and light and have pungent, astringent and bitter tastes. Below are lists
of the best Vata foods by food group:
Fruit for Vata
Most fruits are good for Vata because they are sweet, moist, and nourishing. Vata
types should keep in mind that cooked or stewed fruits are better than raw because
they are easier to digest and have more warmth, moisture, and sweetness.
 Best: Apples (cooked), Apricots, Bananas (ripe), Berries, Cantaloupe, Cherries,
Coconut, Dates (fresh, cooked or soaked), Figs (fresh, cooked or soaked),
Grapefruit, Grapes, Kiwi, Lemon, Lime, Mango, Melons, Oranges, Papaya,
Peaches, Pineapple, Plums, Prunes (cooked or soaked), Raisins (cooked or
soaked), Tamarind
 Limit: Apples (raw), Bananas (green), Cranberries, Dates (dry), Dried Fruit, in
general, Figs (dry), Pears, Persimmons, Pomegranate, Prunes (dry), Raisins
(dry), Watermelon
Vegetables for Vata
The best types of vegetables for Vata are sweet, heavy, moist, and cooked. In
general, root vegetables are particularly beneficial because they have grounding and
stabilizing qualities. Since cooked foods are better than raw, Vata types should limit
their intake of salads and raw veggies.
 Best: Asparagus, Avocado, Beets, Carrots, Cooked, Chilies (in very small
quantities), Cilantro, Cucumber, Garlic, Green Beans, Green Chilies, Leeks,
Mustard Greens, Okra, Olives (black), Onion, Cooked, Parsnip, Peas (cooked),
Pumpkin, Rutabaga, Spinach (cooked), Summer Squash, Winter Squash, Sweet
Potatoes, Watercress, Zucchini
 Limit: Artichokes, Beet Greens, Bell Peppers, Bitter Melon, Broccoli, Brussels
Sprouts, Burdock Root, Cabbage, Carrots (raw), Cauliflower, Celery, Chilies (in
excess), Corn (fresh), Dandelion Greens, Eggplant, Jerusalem Artichokes, Kale,
Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Olives (green), Onion (raw), Peas (raw), Peppers
(hot), White Potatoes, Radishes, Spinach (raw), Sprouts, Tomatoes, Turnips
Grains for Vata
In general, grains are good for Vata as long as they are well cooked and well-spiced.
Cooked cereals like oatmeal, cream of wheat and warm rice pudding are best, while
light, dry, or rough grains should be limited.
 Best: Amaranth, Durham Flour, Oats (cooked), Quinoa, Rice, Seitan, Wheat
 Limit: Barley, Buckwheat, Corn, Couscous, Millet, Oats (dry), Rye, Spelt,
Tapioca
Legumes for Vata
Because legumes often have dry, rough qualities, Vata may have trouble digesting
them. Try to stick to the legumes noted as “best” and be sure you eat them well-
cooked and well-spiced.
 Best: Lentils (red), Miso, Mung Beans, Mung Dal, Split, Tofu, Toor Dal, Urad Dal
 Limit: Adzuki Beans, Black Beans, Black-Eyed Peas, Garbanzo Beans
(Chickpeas), Kidney Beans, Lentils (brown), Lima Beans, Navy Beans, Pinto
Beans, Soy Beans, Split Peas, Tempeh, White Beans
Nuts and seeds for Vata
In moderation, all nuts and most seeds are pacifying to Vata.
 Best: Small amounts of Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Cashews, Hazelnuts, Macadamia
Nuts, Peanuts, Pecans, Pine Nuts, Pistachios, Pumpkin Seeds, Sesame Seeds,
Sunflower Seeds, Walnuts
Meat for Vata
Vata types do well with eggs and a variety of different meats. The best meats to favor
are ones that are nourishing, sweet, moist, and relatively easy to digest.
 Best: Beef, Buffalo, Chicken (especially dark), Duck, Eggs, Fish (fresh and salt
water), Salmon, Sardines, Seafood, Shrimp, Tuna Fish, Turkey (dark)
 Limit: Lamb, Pork, Rabbit, Venison, Turkey (white)
Dairy and Dairy Alternatives for Vata
Milk products are often balancing for Vata as long as they are served warm and
heavily spiced.
 Best: Almond milk, Butter, Cashew milk, Cheese, Cottage Cheese, Cow’s milk,
Ghee, Goat’s Milk, Hemp milk, Ice Cream (in moderation), Oat milk, Rice milk,
Sour Cream (in moderation), Soy milk, Yogurt (fresh)
 Limit: Frozen Yogurt
Fats for Vata
Of all of the Vata foods, Ghee is revered as one of the best because it is sweet,
nourishing and builds ojas. In general, most high quality oils are Vata pacifying.
 Best: Almond Oil, Avocado Oil, Coconut Oil, Ghee, Olive Oil, Peanut Oil,
Sesame Oil, Sunflower Oil
 Limit: Canola Oil, Corn Oil, Flax Seed Oil, Soy Oil
Spices for Vata
Many kitchen spices are great for balancing Vata because they offer warmth while
aiding digestion.
 Best: Ajwan, Allspice, Anise, Basil, Bay Leaf, Black Pepper, Caraway,
Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves, Coriander, Cumin, Dill, Fennel, Garlic, Ginger
(fresh or dried), Hing (Asafoetida), Mace, Marjoram, Mint, Mustard Seeds,
Nutmeg, Oregano, Paprika, Parsley, Peppermint, Pippali, Poppy Seeds,
Rosemary, Saffron, Salt, Savory, Tarragon, Thyme, Turmeric, Vanilla
 Limit: Cayenne Pepper, Chili Powder, Fenugreek, Horseradish, Neem Leaves
Sweeteners for Vata
Most high quality sweeteners are good for Vata in moderation.
 Best: Barley Malt, Date Sugar, Fruit Juice Concentrates, Honey (raw), Jaggary,
Maple Syrup (in moderation), Molasses, Rice Syrup, Sucanat, Turbinado
 Limit: Artificial Sweeteners, White Sugar, Honey (heated or cooked)
Beverages for Vata
With respect to beverages, Vatas should follow Vata diet guidelines, opting for warm
herbal Vata teas and drinks. Vata types should also be careful with coffee and
caffeine. These stimulants can increase anxiety or feelings of scatteredness. Instead,
Vatas should consider incorporating Chyawanprash into their morning ritual.
Chyawanprash contains nourishing and ojas building ingredients, like adaptogenic
herbs, which give your body a natural, balanced boost.
Keep in mind that a Vata diet isn’t just for Vata types. It may be helpful for Pitta and
Kapha types to embrace Vata foods if they are experiencing a Vata imbalance,
especially if it’s Vata season.

Vata Foods List

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Vata Foods List

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Vata Foods List

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Vata Foods List

You might also like