Balancing the Pitta!

In our previous post, we spoke about how a Pitta body type, known for their charm, beauty, leadership skills and perfect health, can transform into an unfriendly, dominating and physically weak individual if they go out of balance.

So, what is it that can calm the fiery and hot-headed Pitta and bring back their liveliness and charm?

· Known for their hot temperature, the Pitta body type should follow a diet that will help them cool down - physically and mentally, along with activities that will act as a stress-buster, as often they tend to get engrossed with their work and tension.

· Foods that are cooling and calming - sweet, bitter and astringent tastes, and activities like a simple walk in the park will make them avoid stress and appreciate the surroundings.

Here is more on the kind of food one should eat and avoid, in order to calm down the excessive fire:

Eat:

· Foods that are cooling to the body. Coconut, cucumber, watermelon, steamed green vegetables, green pulses and basmati rice are excellent choices to balance the Pitta.

· Sipping cool (not iced) water throughout the day keeps the Pitta’s fire at bay. Also drinking water with cumin, coriander, fennel seeds or rose water helps pacify their fiery quality, improves digestion and calms the mind.

· Vegetables like broccoli, cabbages, asparagus, cucumber, lettuce, parsley and potatoes are extremely essential to maintain the balance.

· Fruits like apples, melons, oranges, dark grapes, figs, avocados, plums and pineapples, and all the summer fruits that are cooling and light are good for the Pitta body type.

· Chicken, shrimps and dairy products like milk, ghee and refined butter.

· Spices like cardamom, cilantro (green coriander), cinnamon, coriander seeds, fennel, mint, saffron and turmeric are good to be included in the diet of a Pitta body type.

Along with a diet including the above-mentioned, stress-busters like Yoga, meditation, music and dance can help maintain the balance. A routine that gives ample time to eat, sleep and work peacefully should be followed.

Avoid eating:

· Fried food which is spicy and salty, and sour foods such as chilies, pickles, french fries and citrus fruits… especially during the summer months.

· Vegetables like carrots, beetroot, garlic, onions and radish.

· Fruits like mangoes, papaya, grapefruit, banana and peaches.

· Foods that heat the body like chilli powder, raw masalas, vinegar, sauces and pickles.

· Caffeine, nicotine and other stimulants.

· Red meat and sea food.

· Dairy products like egg yolk, yogurt and cheese.

· Mustard oil, sunflower oil should be avoided.

· Canned and processed foods.

· Alcohol, except for an occasional beer or white wine.

Apart from a cooling diet and moderate workout, the Pittas can also indulge in relaxing activities like a 10-20 minutes body massage before a shower using sunflower or coconut oil, which are cooling and nourishing. Essential and therapeutic oils of rose, sandalwood, jasmine or lavender can also be used to enhance and make the experience soothing and rejuvenating.

Now that you know how to balance the Vata and Pitta body types if they get aggravated, next up we will talk about the Kapha body type – when in balance and also when out of balance. Stay tuned.