MENTION KAPHA DOMINANT EATING GUIDELINES.

So you know what dosha you are ..now you are on your way to more specific dosha living. But before we begin, here are some general tips that are non-dosha specific and behaviorally oriented:--- 05 FACTS;- 1-Never drink excessive water (rule of thumb: when you use the restroom, drink water after) 2-If you must drink water at a meal, make sure it is tepid (lukewarm) and drink after you eat (too much water can suppress appetite). Ice water is a no-no as it shuts down your digestive system. 3-Drinking warm ginger tea with a meal is always beneficial for digestion. 4-Never eat late as it disrupts your body’s natural process of sleep (as it is focusing on digestion when you eat). Sleep is very important to the body as it performs many restorative functions related to good health. 5-Make sure you have at least 8 hours of sleep each night have a regular regimen of Yoga in your day including pranayama, asanas, and meditation. More Detailed Diet for Kapha Predominant Constitutions 05 FACTS;- 1-Kapha is composed of earth and water with water as the dominant element. Kapha people are blessed with strength, endurance and stamina. Kapha is associated with groundedness, faith, calm, fluidity, and lubrication. 2-Kapha people easily create routines and need to change these regularly to induce both physical and emotional healing. 3-Kapha resides in the chest, stomach, sinuses, brain, throat, nose, lungs, heart, joints, lymph and plasma. It is mucus, which is both a lubricator and a source of congestion. 4-The attributes of kapha are: oily, cold, soft, dense, slimy, static, slow and sweet. Increasing these qualities increases kapha. In excess it can manifest as colds, sinusitis, depression and sluggishness, excess weight, diabetes, water retention, and headache. Kapha increases in the cold wet weather of winter. 5-It also increases during the waxing moon up to full moon and between 6-10 a.m. It is deranged by sitting in front of the television, sedentary “activities” and over—eating. 6-Kapha is reduced by movement and exercise, by changes in routine and fasting. Allow excitement, challenge ad change into your life as much as possible. 7-From the dietary point of view, balance kapha by:--- 1. Getting plenty of exercise every day to burn off excess food/nutrients. 2. Avoid consumption of fat and fried food. 3. Avoid iced food and drinks, sweets, and excess bread. 4. Choose warm, light and dry food (popcorn) . 5. Drink limited amounts of liquid, according to the season. 6. Luxuriate in fresh vegetables, herbs and spices 7. Limit your intake of complex carbohydrates according to your need. 8. Have a light breakfast, and larger lunch and a light evening meal, e.g. fruit and tea make a good breakfast. Kapha (favor the following foods):----- 1-General Lighter diet. Dry, warm food and warm drinks. Pungent, bitter, astringent tastes. 2-Beans/Dahl Avoid tofu. 3-Vegetables A-Leafy green vegetables, asparagus, artichoke, potato, carrot, cabbage, beetroot, cauliflower, broccoli, celery, peas, capsicum, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, tomato, young eggplant. B-Vegetables should be taken raw or lightly steamed. Eat as much as you like. Be careful with lettuce and juicy and sweet/sour vegetables such as tomato and squashes. 4-Spices/Condiments All spices except salt. Consume especially hot and pungent ones. Take moderately hot spicy food. Lots of Indian (low oil) and Asian recipes with chili, pepper, ginger (powder), etc. 5-Fruits Pomegranate, grapes, cranberries, raisins, figs, dates (best with honey), peaches, apples, papaya, guava, pears. 6-Grains Grains which are high in fiber and tend to move a relatively sluggish digestive tract are good for kapha. The driest, lightest and most warming grains are millet, barley, rye, buckwheat, soba noodles, corn, oat bran, and toasted oats. 7-Protein Light, low-fat proteins are best, especially if they are high fiber. Light and dry, easy to digest beans are good for kapha, especially small beans like aduki beans(sem) and lentils. Tofu and soya contain excess fat. 8-Milk Avoid milk products except for goat’s milk. Cottage cheese in moderation is OK. Dairy is too cold, moist and fattening. Lowfat yogurt is ok 2-3x per week during the day. 9-Oils/Fats Low fat is key and avoid oil. If you need to use oil take only one teaspoon full in cooking or less. Mustard oil is best for kapha, sesame oil is too heavy. Sunflower is a useful tri-doshic oil and olive oil is also acceptable. 10-Special You can eat copious amounts of popcorn but avoid meat and fried foods. You can also take moderate amounts of stimulants such as coffee and strong tea. 11-Restaurants Salad bars, Mexican, Indian, Chinese, Thai and Japanese are OK.