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Food Sensitivities and Ayurveda

Ayurvedic Solutions for Food Sensitivities

For our friends navigating gluten-free, dairy-sensitive, and irritable gut conditions, what if we viewed these challenges as hidden blessings? Indeed, the subject of food sensitivities can be delicate, yet Ayurveda offers a compelling and insightful perspective on this matter.

Looking at the core principles of  Ayurveda can illuminate a profound, potentially transformative perspective that encourages positive strides forward. Here’s a clue, maybe you aren’t sensitive, maybe you are aware and your body is actually telling you something. So instead of feeling disempowered by your inability to eat something with ease, take it as a superpower of strength to not eat strange things in strange ways. Saying no to crappy bread may not mean you are gluten intolerant it means you are gluten intelligent.

Allergies vs Food Sensitivities from an Ayurvedic Perspective

There is a fine line that can be drawn between allergies and food sensitivities. Both can be genetic and indeed some may never resolve themselves. For those of you with severe allergies that create a strong immediate reaction we are not talking to you. Food sensitive though can mean that your body does not ideally process a food and there are many components at play here.

Numerous clients have visited us reporting sensitivities to foods such as wheat, rice, seeds, and dairy. Yet, when these same foods are reintegrated into their diets with high-quality ingredients, careful preparation, and the inclusion of digestive spices, their experience transforms remarkably. Could this be attributed solely to our culinary skills? While tempting to claim so, we believe a more profound principle is at play. This shift underscores the importance of not just what we eat, but how we prepare and consume our food, suggesting that a mindful, Ayurvedic approach to eating can significantly alter our interaction with food sensitivities.

My Own Food Sensitivities

That’s right I feel them too! If I eat ice cream I get a stomachache. Mac and cheese made me vomit as a child. Am I dairy intolerant? I could say that sure but instead what I notice is that cold dairy has this tendency for most people and more importantly quality plays the key role in dairy being too heavy or supportive to the tissues.  Some just choose to overlook it. Warm cheesy dairy can too dense when combined with other heavy foods like pasta, meats or sour foods. On the flip side warm spiced milk seems ok. Goat cheese feels great. Yogurt settles fine in moderation especially in the form of takra.

So maybe my sensitivity isn’t so much about my body rejecting the food, maybe it’s about how my body is consuming and processing it. I prefer instead of actually calling this a sensitivity honoring the fact that I eat food that makes me feel good in a balanced way. Like I said this is potentially more qualitative than an imbalance, shedding light on me calling this a you problem. Cause there you have it, its a me problem too. The answer might be in your own hands… and gut.

It All Boils Down to Agni

If you’re unfamiliar with our exploration of the 4 Types of Digestion, we invite you to pause here for a moment. Much like those captivating choose-your-own-adventure books from childhood, understanding digestion offers a journey through our body’s unique ways of handling food. This knowledge isn’t just fascinating; it’s crucial, particularly for those navigating food sensitivities. Recognizing and adapting to how we digest can fundamentally change our relationship with food, offering simple yet impactful strategies to enhance our wellbeing. Indeed, tuning into our digestive processes is the essential first step for anyone looking to address dietary concerns and improve overall health.

Status of Agni

Ultimately the heaviness or lightness of food and the functioning of our digestive system are the main reasons why we can eat something and it becomes nourishment and energy or it weighs us down. Heavy foods are often the sensitivity culprits with dairy, wheat and nuts being at the top of the list. These can make anyone feel bogged down, bloated and uncomfortable if it’s too heavy to be processed leading to indigestion and further imbalance if continually consumed.

Unfortunately it is not common practice to consider how strong out central gastric fire is before eating but the best sign is hunger!

Quality of Food

Not all dairy, grains, nuts and seeds are created equally or anything else! Ever had a homemade cookie made with love and clean unprocessed ingredients. Compare this hearty, nourishing goodness to the empty calories of packaged foods and you can immediately notice the difference. We like to share Ayurveda in a non-restrictive way because ultimately you can indeed eat anything. It matters though #1 how strong the digestive fire is and #2 what the quality of the food is you are eating. So make the effort to get the good stuff. Your body will say thank you!

Food Combining

Food combination play a huge role in digestibility. We have a blog post on all the details but if you notice sensitivities try eating each food group by itself and notice if it has the same physical response. Similar to my example of dairy listed above being hard to digest when cold, there are also recommendations about what to consume it with (like not having dairy and seafood or dairy and garlic).

Your Constitution

The effects of our personal and unique constitution play a role in which foods create optimum support. Those who are predominantly pitta in nature have more of a fiery digestion and may find that they can digest most things with ease due to their swift metabolism. While the irregularity of Vata Dosha and the sluggishness of Kapha Dosha can create greater discomfort with heavier or hard to digest foods or strange combinations. This would definitely be an area to consult with an Ayurvedic Practitioner. 

Allergies

For individuals grappling with food intolerances or allergies, steering clear of triggering foods is crucial to prevent adverse immune responses. Recognizing and sidestepping these triggers, while also being mindful of foods that may exacerbate sensitivity, discomfort, or inflammation, is key to maintaining well-being. Holistic support for the body involves establishing nutritious eating habits, fostering balanced digestion and regular elimination, and nurturing a tranquil mental environment. Together, these practices enhance the body’s overall physiological health, ensuring a harmonious interplay between mind and body for optimal wellness.

Modern World Problems

In an era when people seem to love labels and are sensitive to everything we recommend that you empty your cup and try re-entering the world. By simplifying the experience sometimes we can tune into the subtleties that are actually bothering us. Hyper-stimulation though the channels of taste, sound and vision are at an all time high. We see people eating food loaded with ingredients and strange food combinations not even looking at the food they are eating because they are so busy on their phones or watching screens. The lack of attention to feeding oneself may be at the root of most imbalances.

Our digestive cleanse program is a great and simple place to start where we can work with you, your specific goals and with awareness of your current state of health and relationship to foods to detox the body and then find simple ways to reintegrate the things you love with greater ease, care and awareness of how they can fit into your life.

Poisons aka Things Our Bodies Don’t Digest

When we study the 3 main texts of Ayurveda (the Charak Samhita, Sushrut Samhita and Ashtanga Hridayam) they actual discuss poisons as being something our body can not digest and what can lead to ama (undigested toxins), blocked channels and disease as a whole. Something is may be overlooked is that anything that is not natural or readily found in nature can be categorized potentially as a poison. This includes additives, colorants, flavoring and any processed food. For those that suffer from food sensitivities in general taking out packaged snacks or foods that have strange names or unnatural ingredients is a great place to start.

Understanding the Qualities of Food Could Reverse Sensitivities for Good

Ultimately consideration of how you feel, what the local and seasonal environment looks like and the qualities of the food you are eating can create the best result for feeling good. For example, if you feel heavy and the weather is cold and damp it may not be a good time to eat cold food or heavy dairy or grains. Clear, light, warming a light foods or soups may brighten your day and create a feeling of vitality and energy. Visit our full description of the Attributes in Nature to learn more.

Need a more personalized touch? Consider an Ayurvedic Digestive Health Consultation with us. We’ll customize your grocery list, aligning it with your goals, digestive health, constitution, and even the climate you reside in. Trust us, it’s as engaging as it sounds! No more culinary confusion; say goodbye to overwhelm. Let’s embark on this flavor-packed voyage together. Ayurvedic meal planning transformed our lives, and we’re confident it’ll do wonders for you too!

While personalized support can be fantastic if you are interested in learning more we highly recommend diving into the world of Ayurvedic studies. Whether for self, family or community care in a short period of time you may be surprised how much you learn that you can use, share and grow with through the knowledge of Ayurveda. Our self-paced Principles of Health Course is one of the best places to start. And if you LOVE what you are learning you can continue with our Professional Ayurveda Health Advisor Course or all the way through our Advanced Practitioner Training.