FAVORABLE FOODS:
Warm, light, and dry food is favorable, or cooked light meals. Kaphas do best with lightly cooked foods or raw fruits and vegetables. Any food that is spicy is good for Kaphas such as very hot Mexican or Indian food, especially in winter. Dry cooking methods (baking, broiling, grilling, sautéing) are preferable for Kaphas over moist cooking such as steaming, boiling, or poaching. Foods such as romaine lettuce, endive, or tonic water are good for stimulating the Kapha appetite, while preferred spices are cumin, fenugreek, sesame seed, and turmeric.
FOODS TO REDUCE:
Kaphas need to watch the consumption of too many sweet and fatty foods, and need to watch their salt consumption as well, as it can lead to fluid retention. They should avoid deep-fried foods. A typical Kapha tendency is to overeat: The main meal should be at the middle of the day, and only a light, dry meal in the evening. In general, Kaphas should avoid sugar, fats, and dairy products, skip chilled foods and drinks, and use ghee and oils in small amounts only.
Kapha Food Plan:
These guidelines can be used for kapha mind-body constitutions, to maintain dosha balance, and to restore balance if necessary, regardless of the basic constitution. Kapha influences the heavy, moist aspects of the body.
BEST VEGETABLES:
Asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, eggplant, garlic, leafy green vegetables, lettuce, mushrooms, okra, onions, peas peppers, potatoes, radishes, spinach, and sprouts.
VEGETABLES IN MODERATION:
Cucumbers, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and zucchini.
BEST FRUITS:
Apples, apricots, berries, cherries, cranberries, papaya, pears, prunes, pomegranates, and grapefruit. Dried fruits in general are good for Kaphas, specifically apricots, figs, prunes, and raisins.
FRUITS IN MODERATION:
Dates, fresh figs, bananas, coconuts, and mangoes.
BEST GRAINS:
Barley, buckwheat, corn, millet, oats, rye, and basmati rice.
GRAINS IN MODERATION:
Rice and wheat.
Avoid hot cereals and steamed grains, in general, as they are too moist and heavy for Kaphas.
BEST DAIRY:
Warm skim milk, small amounts of whole milk, and eggs (not fried or cooked with butter), goat’s milk, soy milk, and camel milk.
DAIRY IN MODERATION:
Egg yolks
BEST MEATS:
Chicken, turkey (all in small amounts), and lean fish.
MEATS IN MODERATION:
Shrimp and red meat.
BEST BEANS:
All legumes are acceptable.
BEANS IN MODERATION:
Kidney beans and tofu.
BEST OILS:
Almond, sunflower, olive oil, and grapeseed oil (all in small quantities).
SWEETENERS:
All in very small quantities.
BEST NUTS & SEEDS:
Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and flax seeds.
HERBS & SPICES:
All are good, especially cumin, fenugreek, sesame, and ginger, which is especially good for improving digestion.