Ayurvedic Dining, Food & Nutritional Support at SanAquam Ayurvedic Spa Retreat, Drakensberg, South Africa

Doshas Cafe

Cuisine Concept

A contemporary Indian cuisine creating culinary delights in the forms of snacks, meals and platters. The menu is based on your unique mind body constitution so that you can order delights that assist in pacifying your constitution. The focus is on ayurvedic cuisine combining taste  and enjoyment with health and nutritional balance. All cuisine is freshly prepared every day and most of the vegetables are obtained from our own organic garden.

Ayurvedic Food at SanAquam Ayurvedic Spa Retreat, Drakensberg

According to Ayurveda, as the physical and metaphysical constitutions differ from person to person, the approach to viewing an individual ailment and treating it varies according to the constitution of the individual. This means that in order to be healthy, you need to eat certain foods that are beneficial for your body type and stay away from others.

Cuisine for VATA  mind body constitutions: (elements of space and air)

If you have a predominant Vata body type, everything in your mind and body is on the move. Like a sparrow, you are light, quick and vibrant.

Warm food, moderately heavy textures, added butter and fat, salt, sour and sweet tastes, soothing and satisfying food. All are good for settling disturbed Vata. Use foods such  as warm milk, cream, butter, warm soups, stews, hot cereals and fresh baked bread. On the other hand cold foods such as cold salads, iced drinks , raw vegetables and greens are not good for persons with Vata imbalance.

Cuisine for PITTA mind body constitutions (the elements of air, fire and water)

Ayurvedic DiningIf you have a  predominant Pitta body type, you have the element of fire that transforms things and have  qualities of being hot, sharp, fluid and light. Like the hungry lion, you are deliberate and fiery.

Cool or warm food but not steaming hot foods; bitter, sweet and astringent tastes. All are good for settling the Pitta body type. Take cool, refreshing food in summer. Reduce the consumption of salt, oil and spices, all of which are “heating” to the body. Salads are good, so is milk and ice cream. Avoid pickles, yoghurt, sour cream and cheese. Alcoholic and fermented foods should be avoided. Avoid acidic foods and use lemon instead of vinegar. These foods aggravate Pitta body type. Coffee is also Pitta aggravating due to the acid in coffee.

Cuisine for KAPHA mind body constitutions(the elements of water and earth)

Ayurvedic nutritionIf you have a predominant Kapha body type , you would tend to be big boned, soft skin and a perfectionist by nature . Like the elephant, you would have the  qualities of being slow, heavy, stable and elegant.

Warm, light food, dry food, cooked without much water, minimum of butter, oil and sugar is recommended for this body type. Stimulating foods with pungent, bitter and astringent tastes are also good. Deep fried foods are to be avoided. Eat lightly cooked foods or raw fruits and vegetables. Eat spicy, bitter and astringent foods. The challenge for a Kapha body type  is the slow metabolism and controlling the huge appetite. Learn to reduce the quantity for each meal as overeating is a typical Kapha tendency.

If you would like to know more about what food is appropriate for your mind body constitution, fill in our body type constitution questionnaire to learn more of foods that will pacify your body type rather than aggravate it.

 

 

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