How to Decode Your Cravings Using Ayurveda

Welcome back, Happy Army!

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. This is normal, but often times the doshas can become imbalances due to many external factors like lifestyle or diet.

So essentially, cravings are just 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.

To understand your dosha type and how it affects your life, I highly recommend The Hot Belly Diet by Dr. Suhas G. Kshirsagar. It has a lot of insight on understanding your Ayurvedic dosha, and even has a quiz to help you start a 30-day body reset so that you can begin your health journey at your natural baseline! 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.

So for example, if your pitta is imbalanced, cooling foods like cucumber or coconut water are often recommended.

• 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.

The Hot Belly Diet by Dr. Suhas G. Kshirasagar is a book written by a renowned Ayurvedic specialist who I see often for consultations. This book is a step-by-step guide to understanding your body and your needs, and it even provides a 30-day body reset so that when you do start your health journey, you are starting at your natural baseline (vikruti).The book is the cheapest it's ever going to be, at only $10! Click the link, and join the thousands of us who are ready to reconnect with our bodies and minds to achieve our highest selves! It's time to be happy again!

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?

That's it for now! Sending positive vibes your way, and happy exploring!