Foods to calm and cool

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​As Pitta is light, hot and unctuous, foods which soothe are those with heavy and cooling properties. Earthy or leafy foods, such as cooked and

uncooked salad/ fresh green vegetables, are perfect when enjoyed with a side of grains (such as rice and wheat) and either dairy, white meats,

white fish, pulses or lentils. Think fresh, clean, sweet and green.

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Enjoy the Sweet, Bitter and Astringent - Leave the Sour, Salt and Pungent

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As the pitta digestion is hot light and sharp, there is a tendency for pitta types to experience excess hunger, low blood-sugar, burning sensations and loose motions. This is more common when the diet is not harmonious with pittas fiery nature and even more so in summer. Cooling food tastes such sweet, bitter and astringent pacify heat, moderating appetite and metabolism to a more regular rhythm. Bitter and astringent tasting foods, being primarily alkaline benefit the body by: reducing acid production, soothing burning sensations and frequent bathroom visits; inhibiting process which caused chronic inflammation; stimulating the liver to encourage more efficient cleaning of the blood (the seat of the pitta) and reduce leaky gut. Heavier, sweet tasting food such as carbohydrates provide much needed sustenance feeding the fire of the pittas intense agni. Heating, sour, salty and pungent foods such as citrus, chill, fried food and pickles should be avoided as much as possible. Sweet, bitter and astringent spices such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, cardamom and fennel provide also incredible support digestion, liver and other vital organs (CCF tea anyone?).

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Know your fats and lets get drizzling

 

As the heating nature of pitta can create dryness in the body, adding natural oils to the diet can be boon for health (when used correctly). Sadly, we are not talking about loading up on greasy foods which been deep fried in cheap oils - in fact eating these any more than occasionally can have some seriously uncomfortable side effects for pitta types including heart burn, diarrhoea and mood swings. No, we are talking about soothing the soul and the stomach with natural organic cold pressed oils such as these are much sweeter and cooler than other oils. Foods should be predominantly steamed, poached or grilled, with oil added at the end. BUT if you must fry, let it be with ghee or coconut oil. For salads, oils as extra virgin olive oil, sweet nut oils and avocado oil are a nectar. Make the swap today!

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Regular chilled

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To keep the pitta agni burning and prevent low blood sugar/energy dips (or, god forbid, you getting HANGRY) Ayurveda recommends that pitta types enjoy moderate sized-meals every 3-5 hours, dependant on hunger. Meals should be enjoyed at a leisurely pace and in a calm and stress free-environment if passionate pittas want their foods to be digested well. Avoid too much acidic tea and coffee with food also and enjoy small sips of tepid water or herbal tea instead to support digestion (fennel and coriander are great!).

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