The Seasonal Variations of the Ayurvedic Diets

Ayurveda, though a science created thousands of years ago, has yet gone great lengths to draw an idealistic correlation between the constitution or dosha of our body and the handful of seasons through the calendar year. It philosophizes that our health is affected by the qualities of the climate we live in, where our outer environment acts as a strong influence towards our inner world.

For instance, damp, cold and wet air catalyzes coughs and colds during the winter, due to various environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, wind, rain, clouds, atmospheric pressure and sunlight, all of which collectively affect our health. Ayurveda prescribes a suitable, healthy and nutritious diet for such environmental surroundings and more, which can broadly be divided into the three set seasons as observed in India.

1. Summer

Not only should one avoid sunlight during the Summer months of April and May, but also eat less of food abundant in fats and oil, and strive to reduce the intake of meat. Sour, salty and pungent foods should also be avoided, as they tend to increase the pitta. Thereby, the diet that mainly consists of sweet, bitter, cold and light items that pacify the pitta is advisable. Cold food items can also be taken to combat the heat of the summer, and since the strength of the digestive system hits a trough during this period, sleeping during the daytime is not recommended. 

2. Monsoon

The wet monsoon months sees are three doshas vitalized. Thus, a light diet and less oily food are advised, as the digestive power is still not upto full strength. It is also best to consume as much fluids as possible, and while one should not follow this regime mechanically, attempts to clear the accumulation of the doshas from your system must be made as any increase of the doshas during the monsoon months might result in an illness. It is also recommended to consume foods through the day on a lush green plantain leaf.

3. Winter

Winter is a season where a moderate consumption of oily foods is encouraged, along with a proportionate consumption of fat to guard against the prevalent cold. Fluid intake can be reduced, and an extra sprinkling of salt into the dishes is encouraged. As with all of the other seasons, the doshas are best balanced by reducing the amount of food consumed through the day, with the last meal of the day being the lightest in comparison with the first.

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