Dosha and Diet

In Ayurvedic medicine, each individual is classified into one of the three energies that circulates throughout the body, governing his/her temperament and physical constitution. This constitution also relates to diet.
The three energies are classified as:
1. Vata
2. Pitta
3. Kapha
Vata tend to be thin and have a very good appetite. They can eat as much as they want and still remain stick skinny. Vata also prefer to live in the moment and are creative and flexible. PItta, on the other hand, are medium built and are consistently warm–too warm the majority of the time. Thus, they prefer milder, colder climates. Their metabolism are strong and can easily gain and lose weight. Kapha are large individual with a strong appetite and a slow metabolism. Though they can gain weight easily, it’s much more difficult for them to lose weight.
Tips for Eating to Balance Vata:
Favors sweet, salty, and sour tastes
Eat warm, oily, or heavy foods
Minimize cold and raw foods
Add these herbs to your diet: basil, bay, cinnamon, citrus, cloves, frankincense, lavender, pine, sage, and vanilla
Tips for Eating to Balance Pitta
Favor sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes
Eat lighter food
Be aware of stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol and sugar
Reduce hot and spicy foods
Add these herbs to your diet: sandalwood, jasmine, mint, lavender, fennel, and chamomile
Tips for Eating to Balance Kapha
Favor pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes
Minimize heavy foods, salt, and dairy products
Add these herbs to your diet: warm, stimulating aromas, including cloves, cinnamon, juniper, and marjoram

The tips above are generalized per each energy. Each person is a mix of the three and select energies may be dominate during different times.
Debbie Trinh (200hr YTT weekend class)
Sources:
http://www.chopra.com/ccl/eating-to-balance-your-mind-body-type#sthash.LpmyuNAM.dpuf
http://www.naturesformulary.com/