By: Vesna Tomašević |
Autumn diet according to ayurveda and macrobiotics |
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Eating seasonal food items is an excellent way of maintaining health and vitality of our organism, but also for achieving harmony with the nature. See what ayurveda and macrobiotics recommend for an autumn menu.
In a modern world, almost all food items are at our disposal almost throughout the entire year.
We grew accustomed to buying imported food items, even though many of them are not suitable to the season or the climate we live in.
In many parts of the world, people have a different approach.
They carefully chose food items according to the season.
Ayurveda, macrobiotics and our inner instincts tell us which food items we should eat and during which season.
Autumn menu according to macrobiotics
The goal of macrobiotics is to achieve the harmony of Yin and Yang, which can be achieved by eating food items that are appropriate to the season and the climate we live in.
Macrobiotic diet has been developed in 1920 by Japanese philosopher Yukikazu Sakurazawa, a.k.a. George Ohsawa.
He deeply believed that simple and healthy diet can place our life and nature in harmony.
He claimed that a macrobiotic diet can cure many diseases.
According to macrobiotics, life on our planet is divided into five seasons. During each season, one of the five elements is dominant (fire, earth, metal, water or tree).
In autumn (which is between 21.09 and 21.12 according to macrobiotics) element of metal is dominant.
So, for autumn menu it is recommended to eat food items that correspond to that season.
Cereals
White and brown rice
Vegetables
Cauliflower, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, celery, radishes, onions, watercress, beets, garlic, leeks, pumpkins, root vegetables.
Vetches
White beans, soy.
Fruits
Pears, apples, bananas.
Grasses and spices
Dill, fennel, thyme, ginger, horseradish, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, basil, rosemary.
Autumn is a time when many of us experience respiratory problems, allergies, bronchitis or first colds of the year.
All the aforementioned food items help strengthen our lungs, our immunity, slime excretion and they keep our digestive tract clean.
People that do not like cabbage, beats or watercress are often those that do not know how to properly prepare such dishes.
Try mixing vegetables you like with those that are less appealing to you.
Sweetness of the pumpkin, beats or sweet potatoes is a nice addition to the sour taste of autumn vegetables.
Autumn ayurvedic diet
According to ayurveda, our true nature is comprised of three Doshas:
- Vata – made of ether and air, responsible for all flows in the mind and body
- Pitta – made of fire and water, responsible for physical and psychical transformations
- Kapha – made of water and earth, responsible for structure and stability
Autumn represents a new season of Vata, which is represented with dryness, lightness, cold, subtlety and movement.
Western world characteristics are almost always emphasized in Vata, in a sense of movement, stimuli and the fast pace of life.
In autumn, Vata influence almost doubles because alongside all the stimuli and fast pace of life, the weather becomes colder and windier, which additionally distorts the balance.
The simplest way of solving this problem is to eat food items that balance Vata Dosha.
Vegetables
During cold periods avoid eating raw vegetables. The most desirable vegetables are cooked beets, carrot, asparagus, pumpkins and sweet potato.
Ayurveda also recommends green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, but you should cook them with spices. During the autumn period reduce cabbage intake since it increases Vata Dosha.
Cereals
Integral products and cereals are considered very nutritive in ayurveda. It is recommended to eat rice and wheat.
If you do not like them, you can replace them with oats, barley, millet or corn. They are all appropriate for autumn season in moderate amounts.
Fruits
Rely on sweet, juicy fruits such as berries, plums, oranges or pomegranate. You should soak dried fruits in water before eating them.
Vetches
Since most vetches increase Vata Dosha, ayurveda recommends that in the autumn period almost all vetches should be avoided. There are some important exceptions: mung dal, dried peas, red and brown lentil and soy.
Oils
In autumn period, use heating oils – ghee, sesame and olive oils. Be sure to use quality oils. Chose cold pressed oils in glass containers.
Sweeteners
Consume them in smaller quantities – raw sugar, honey and molasses.
Dairy products
They are an integral part of the traditional ayurvedic diet, they are especially important for balancing the harmony of Doshas. Yoghurt, milk and soft cheese are appropriate for an autumn menu.
If you do not consume dairy products, consume almond, coconut or soy milk.
By following the natural rhythm of changes of elements in the nature, you will achieve inner balance and stay healthy in every season during the year.
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