Simple Guidelines For Decreasing Kapha
Signs & Symptoms of Increased Kapha
You are probably experiencing some of the following signs or symptoms:
- excess mucous
- thick, white tongue coat
- slow, sticky, sluggish bowel movements
- high body weight
- difficulty rising in the morning
- feeling slow, foggy, dull, lethargic or heavy
- easily attached or possessive
- overly sentimental
- complacent or stubborn
- tendency for "emotional overeating"
To reduce or pacify Kapha, Ayurveda has given us dietary, lifestyle and herbal treatment strategies. Here are a few underlying concepts that these strategies are based on:
- Stimulation
- Exercise
- Lightening
- Warming
- Drying
Food Choices for KAPHA
General Guidelines:
Enjoy:
- Foods that are pungent, bitter or astringent in taste.
- Warm foods, both energetically and in temperature.
- Heating spices - like chili, black or cayenne pepper, ginger, cinnamon and cumin.
- Whole, freshly cooked foods.
- Light, dry and warm foods.
- Honey.
- Only room temperature or warm drinks.
- Most beans. Mung dahl, well-cooked tofu or tempeh or warm soy milk are all ok.
- Lots of veggies.
- A minimal amount of high-quality corn, canola, sesame, sunflower oil or ghee in your daily diet.
- Routine times for your meals.
- Taking a deep breath after swallowing your last bite and heading off for your next activity.
- Eating your meal in a peaceful environment.
Avoid:
- Foods that are sweet, sour and/or salty.
- Cooling foods, both energetically and in temperature.
- Heavy and oily foods (e.g. cheese, pudding, nuts, cake).
- Highly processed foods (e.g. canned or frozen foods, "TV" dinners or pastries).
- Cold or carbonated drinks.
- Overeating or eating heavy meals.
- Eating fresh fruit or drinking fruit juice within 1/2 hr of any other food.
- Red meat.
- Foods or drinks that contain refined sugar or corn syrup.
- Deep fried foods.
- Alcohol, except for an occasional glass of dry red or white wine.
Kapha-Pacifying-Lifestyle
General Guidelines:
Enjoy:
- An energetic routine. Avoid stagnation.
- Stimulating your body and mind on a daily basis.
- A 10-20 min. self-massage daily with 1/2 c. warm sesame oil, before bathing.
- A vigorous exercise routine that includes jogging, hiking, biking, vigorous forms of yoga or martial arts or other challenging forms of exercise, a minimum of five times per week.
- Keeping warm and dry, no matter what the weather.
- Lively and invigorating music, smells, experiences and company.