Kapha Pacifying Diet
Kapha is balanced by a diet of freshly cooked, whole foods that are light, dry, warming, well-spiced, and relatively easy to digest—ideally served warm or hot. These foods calm Kapha by balancing mucus production, regulating moisture levels, maintaining adequate heat, and by supporting proper digestion and elimination. Because Kapha is so substantive in nature, an appropriate diet is actually one of the most effective ways to reel it in. Kapha thrives on a fairly minimalistic diet with smaller meals, little to no snacking, fewer sweets, an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, a variety of legumes, little to no alcohol, and lighter fare all around. That said, finding a diet that is appropriately satisfying is crucial to your success; so it’s extremely important that you enjoy the foods that you do eat.
Emphasize Tastes | Pungent - Bitter - Astringent
Minimize Tastes | Sweet - Salty - Sour
How to Eat
When it comes to pacifying Kapha, it’s best to eat your meals at consistent times from one day to the next. Kindle a sluggish digestive fire about 30 minutes before lunch and dinner by chewing a slice of fresh ginger with a pinch of sea salt, a few drops of lime juice, and about ¼ teaspoon honey. During meals, eat in a peaceful environment and give your full attention to the act of being nourished so that your body registers satisfaction. Minimize fast foods, sweets and excessive amounts of bread and other comfort foods, in a pinch, make sure that they are served warm, with the support of heating herbs, and taken in small quantities. Lastly, because Kapha digestion is generally sluggish and tends to sustain energy with or without food, periodic fasts or cleanses can be very helpful. A short fruit or juice fast (think apple or pomegranate), or a longer mono-diet of kitchari can be very supportive.
Suggested Meals
Breakfast | Breakfast is often somewhat optional when Kapha is elevated. If breakfast does feel important to you, consider:
A substantive serving of fresh fruit: stewed apples, a fruit salad, a fruit smoothie, or some freshly juiced fruit.
Need something more? Hot cereals, like grits, millet, or hot barley cereal, with a little dried fruit or a dab of honey.
Another option would be muesli with warm rice milk and a slice of rye toast.
Herbal, green, or black tea but be careful not to over-decorate them; a dab of honey and/or rice milk is likely enough.
Lunch | Ideally, lunch is the main meal of the day, meaning it’s the largest and the most nourishing. Try something like:
Lentil vegetable soup, corn bread, and a side of steamed kale. Include vegetables like onions, garlic, broccoli, celery, carrots, green beans, or asparagus in the soup. Garnish the kale with olive oil, lemon juice, and black pepper.
Whole chickpeas and sautéed cabbage over quinoa. Sauté cooked chickpeas with a bit of ghee, a variety of spices, and some diced tomatoes. Cook the cabbage with a splash of sunflower oil, cumin, coriander, a medley of other spices, and lemon juice (if necessary, add water to prevent sticking). After cooking, add a dab of honey and salt to compliment the other flavors.
Green chile soup (non-dairy) with black bean tacos. Include black beans, sautéed onions and bell peppers, shredded romaine lettuce, cilantro, salsa, and a squeeze of lime juice and serve over steamed corn tortillas.
Dinner | Dinner is ideally significantly smaller and lighter than lunch. Soups and stews are often a wonderful choice because they are warm and nourishing, even when light. Try:
Dal soup with sautéed asparagus, and a small serving of basmati rice.
Split pea soup and rye toast.
Potato leek soup with a small salad and a stimulating dressing—like tamari ginger.
