Winter for Vata-Pitta-Kapha

 

Those who are tridoshic have the strengths and stability of vata, pitta, and kapha to support them through the winter. Pitta will be largely calmed by the winter season, so if you have a tridoshic constitution, your primary focus will be on balancing vata and kapha at this time of year.

Still, you may find it helpful to read the vata, pitta, and kapha sections for tips on how to support each dosha respectively.

With some focused inner awareness, you can adapt the advice on a day-to-day basis—pacifying whichever dosha needs the most attention at any given time.

Ideal Tridoshic Winter Foods

• On the whole, you can follow the general winter dietary recommendations, being careful not to inundate your body with excessive heat, which would disturb pitta.
• Among your best fruit choices are tridoshic winter foods like berries, mango, soaked prunes, and soaked raisins.
• For veggies, favor asparagus, cooked carrots, green beans, leeks, okra, cooked onion, and rutabaga.
• Choose grains and lentils like amaranth, basmati rice, quinoa, and mung beans.
• When it comes to dairy products, opt for soy alternatives or goat's milk and cheese. Ghee is also favorable. 
• Lighter meats like freshwater fish and shrimp are good winter options if you eat meat. 
• Seeds that are light and dry, like pumpkin and sunflower seeds, are good snack choices. 

Acceptable Winter Indulgences

Treats that are well-suited to winter include spicier foods, caffeinated tea, coffee or espresso, and more eggs and meat than would be appropriate at other times of the year.

If you’re craving something sweet, a cup of Hot Spiced Chai or some Maple Tapioca are lovely winter choices.

Foods to Minimize

Cold, iced, and frozen foods or drinks will disturb your digestive fire and should be avoided during the winter months.

Do your best to become aware of your eating habits and of the effect that various foods have on you. Be on the lookout for signs of excess vata (gas, bloating, feelings of nervousness), excess pitta (acidity, irritability), and excess kapha (lethargy, low energy after meals, brain fog), and adjust your diet as needed to correct these manifestations of imbalance.

Tridoshic Lifestyle Tips for Winter

Focus on slowing down, staying warm, and balancing a sense of routine with a light-hearted sense of spontaneity and joy.

Winter is also very supportive of introspection, so be sure to take some personal quiet time. Embrace your ability to exert yourself physically, while balancing exercise with plenty of time to rest and rejuvenate.

In your yoga practice, an invigorating routine will suit you through the winter months, as long as you guard against pitta becoming overheated and soothe vata at the end of your practice with a long Savasana.