Welcome back, everyone! In my last post, we talked about how cravings aren’t necessarily bad—they can actually be great indicators of what our bodies need. So, how does this connect to Ayurveda? Let’s dive in!
If you haven't gotten the chance to read my post on understanding what cravings are, and how to decode them, click here!
Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, offers deep insights into how our bodies, minds, and the world around us are interconnected. While modern diet culture might label cravings as “harmful impulses that add unwanted pounds,” Ayurveda views them as important signals highlighting our body’s needs and imbalances. Today, we’ll explore what cravings mean through the lens of Ayurveda and how understanding them can guide us toward holistic well-being.
In this blog post, we're gonna talk about:
How cravings are viewed through an Ayurvedic lens
The 3 types of cravings
6 steps to decoding your cravings
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Cravings Through an Ayurvedic Lens
In Ayurveda, cravings are seen as reflections of the doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—the energies that govern our bodies. We all have a unique combination of these three doshas, but often one or two are more dominant, creating imbalances. Cravings are essentially the body’s way of alerting us to these imbalances.
Vata Cravings
Vata is associated with the elements of air and ether and controls movement, creativity, and transformation. When out of balance, Vata can lead to stress, anxiety, and a craving for foods that are crunchy, salty, or sweet.
Pitta Cravings
Pitta embodies the elements of fire and water and governs digestion and metabolism. Imbalances in Pitta can trigger cravings for spicy, sour, and fried foods due to excess heat in the body.
Kapha Cravings
Kapha, composed of earth and water elements, represents stability and nourishment. Imbalances often lead to cravings for heavy, sweet, and oily foods. These cravings can be driven by emotions tied to comfort and security.
Want to understand your dosha type and how it affects your life? I highly recommend The Hot Belly Diet by Dr. Suhas G. Kshirsagar. It’s packed with insights and even has a quiz to help you start a 30-day reset tailored to your body type! Perfect for kicking off 2025 with renewed energy.
You can also check out my other blog posts on nourishing foods for Vata, Pitta, and Kapha body types for a more detailed description of what foods are right for you here. If you wanna learn more about the doshas, check out my post on Identifying Your Ayurvedic Dosha here!
Decoding Your Cravings According to Ayurveda
Mindful Observation
Ayurveda emphasizes self-awareness. The next time you feel a craving, take a moment to pause and note its taste, texture, and any emotions connected to it. This can reveal the dosha imbalance at play.
Understanding Dosha Imbalances
Match your cravings to potential dosha imbalances. A strong desire for spicy food? Pitta might be off balance. Constantly reaching for sweets? That could be Kapha speaking.
Balancing Opposites
Ayurveda’s approach involves balancing doshas with opposite qualities. If your Pitta is flaring up, calm it with cooling foods like cucumber or coconut water.
Using Herbs and Spices
Ayurvedic herbs and spices are renowned for their benefits. Try herbal teas or infusions that satisfy your cravings while supporting your body’s needs. Ginger tea, for example, can be great for calming Vata-related cravings.
The Daily Drink (recipe found in The Hot Belly Diet by Dr. Suhas G. Kshirasagar), is super beneficial for everyone. it's an Ayurvedic detox tea with fennel and cumin seeds. It’s hydrating, metabolism-boosting, helps people lose weight, and my students swear it helps reduce their cravings by bringing their body back in balance!
Lifestyle Practices
Beyond food, Ayurveda encourages a holistic lifestyle. Practices like daily self-massage (abhyanga), yoga, and meditation help balance the doshas and reduce cravings naturally.
Professional Guidance
Everyone’s body is unique. Consulting with an Ayurvedic practitioner can help you understand your personal constitution and current imbalances, making it easier to decode your cravings and find balance.
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Before I Go
Don’t be quick to dismiss your cravings—learn from them! By understanding which dosha imbalances are at play, you can make choices that support your well-being.
As my teacher once said, “We eat to live, not live to eat.” So, what does your body need to thrive?
Now that we know how Ayurveda views cravings, check out my posts on 10 Energizing Foods for Pitta, 10 Energizing Foods for Vata, and 10 Energizing Foods for Kapha to see what foods are right for you!
I also have a bunch of posts about yoga, which is heavily emphasized in Ayurveda as one of the best forms of exercise! Check out my posts 10 Things I Got to Start My Yoga Practice (Great place for gift ideas, too!), The Benefits of Hatha Yoga, How to Stick to Your Yoga Routine, and so much more!
That's it for now! Sending positive vibes your way, and happy exploring!
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