Snacks and Beverages
Delicious Ayurvedic Snacks and Beverages for Holistic Wellness
By Dennis Bluthardt at Namaste Studios
Ayurveda, an age-old system of medicine given to us by India, is a simple concept of wellness involving balancing our mind, body, and spirit. It is the definition of natural, holistic wellness. The Ayurvedic system teaches that “you are naturally healthy.” Health, as it is defined, goes beyond not being “diseased” but refers to a state of being in harmony physically, psychologically, and metaphysically.
The Ayurvedic model describes this engagement as harmonization through the “totality of functions,” the systems that govern what we perceive as the “operation” of existence. This approach to healthcare and wellness is one of “wellness” that outlines the ability to interact with the world from a state of “freedom of capacity.” It is the general purpose of our collective existence. The preface for understanding this model borders along the principles of one’s body type defined by a “dosha.” (In Ayurveda, a “dosha” is one of three substances that are present in a person’s body and is a “central” concept that the practices revolve around.) For those who haven’t heard, there are three doshas- Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Based on your “dosha,” the ayurvedic model often guides its subjects on a ” wellness ” path through simple adoptions and modifications to various lifestyle practices such as dietary habits, physical activities, seasonal changes, and environmental engagements. Its practices are often filled with a rich understanding of medical physiology, anatomy, and anthropology, forming many canonical texts related to its study.
Understanding Ayurveda and Its Dietary Principles
“Ayurveda” is a thousand-plus-year-old system of medicine (the oldest known) from India, based on the concept that health and wellbeing rely on balance. This balance occurs because each person has a specific constitution, or doshic make-up, that creates one’s physical body, mental health, tendencies toward specific physical ailments, etc. Once one knows their own dosha’s constitution, s/he can work to balance it via how to eat, when to eat, the daily schedule of activities one partakes in, which recipes to prepare, which yoga postures and psycho-emotional states create healthful results for the individual, etc. This application of diet and lifestyle based on one’s constitution, as Ayurveda proffers, is the template and foundation of all proper health.
The diet recommended in Ayurveda will create balance (a more complete interoception). No toxins are ingested via this diet, either. This diet is, of course, whole food. It also calls for eating seasonally or based on nature. This countercyclical diet is a general way to eat, but superheating to ensure one gets the superfoods, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats nature provides locally at the time of year is both logical and healthful at the same time!
After what one is advised to eat, how? Listen to the body. Eat when you are hungry. Pay attention to how you feel after you eat, etc. Rather than counting calories, pay more attention to how your meal came to be in front of you, on your plate. Engage in mindful (cleansing) eating, and your meals will naturally take on a more balanced take on what a proper meal looks like, healthfully here. Eat to live; don’t live to eat, but if you are going to eat (we should all be so lucky), engage in this yogic diet!
Also, add superfoods chia, spirulina, turmeric, etc., and sip herbal teas (incredibly raw, organic blends suited to your energy and lifestyle, like ginger or chamomile) between meals throughout the day to bulletproof your diet even further! Be sure to get at least yourself a good stainless steel shaker bottle and all the (many) ingredients for the recipe below. It could save your Life! (But one could also go with green superfood mix products, too, and a blend of the variety is always nice!)
Popular Ayurvedic Snacks
Ayurvedic snacks taste yummy and make your body feel good because they’re all about balance and nourishing your body.
Spiced nuts or seeds: Almonds, cashews, or seeds roasted with spices like turmeric, cumin, black pepper, and salt are a great source of healthy fats and provide a rich dose of brain minerals and protein for sustainable energy and excellent brain fuel. Their spices also have the benefit of being anti-inflammatory.
Energy balls can be made from nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. These foods provide many necessary vitamins and minerals, and excellent flavors.
Roasted chickpeas. These snacks provide a rich dose of plant protein and fiber, which are excellent for gut health and make you feel fuller longer. They’re great roasted with spices and olive oil!
Enjoy these excellent snacks, munch on them, and feel amazing! Ayurvedic food is about preventative care and bringing what we eat and how we prepare food back into the realm of the personal, the mindful, and the loving. Lots of cultural yummies are also Ayurvedic! What’s your favorite Ayurvedic food?
Refreshing Ayurvedic Beverages
“Ayurvedic drinks play a big part in the world of wellbeing; you can use fresh herbs to make a healthy cup of tea. Right now, the teas are ginger tea and tulsi tea. Ginger tea is perfect for the winter as it is a “warming” herb that promotes good digestion, cures nausea and motion sickness, and boosts your immune system. Tulsi, also known as holy basil, is one of India’s most sacred plants and is considered an adaptogen. An adaptogen helps your body manage stress and increase vitality and longevity. With a cup of herbal tea, you don’t have to gorge yourself with water specifically. You’ll quench your thirst, take on some fluids, and receive a good dose of nutrients.
Smoothies and fresh juices are a great way of adding much-needed color to your diet. Again, feature all the popular Ayurvedic foods in your favorite homemade or store-bought drinks. How about a turmeric, amla, or coconut water smoothie? For breakfast, try a spinach and banana smoothie made with almond milk. Amla juice will start your day off with a bang! The winter has probably stripped the color of your skin; give it a lift by blasting your fruit and vegetables in a mixer. Some of the main properties of these foods will be tailored toward calming, soothing, and reducing any fiery, inflammatory activity.
As we’ve already said, herbal teas stimulate the right types of enzymes. Fresh vegetables and fruit drinks add fiber and fluid to your meals. All of this is good for your stomach.”
Integrating Ayurvedic Snacks and Beverages into Your Diet
Including healthy snacks and drinks throughout your day can make a big difference in your overall nutrition! Consume whole foods like fruits, nuts, and yogurt. These snacks provide you with the vitamins and minerals that your body needs! Instead of reaching for a can of artificial juice, try a lovely herbal tea or some infused water (with fresh fruits and/or herbs). These options give you the hydration you need, plus some added benefits (and flavor) without the sugars. The idea is for your snacks to help satisfy those cravings between meals, but they will also serve a purpose in maintaining a balanced diet.
Just as meal prepping is crucial for maintaining healthy eating habits, so is it with having an Ayurvedic routine. Cook at least one main meal daily for overwhelming health and wellness benefits. Make samosas at home but opt for the healthier kind – a vegetable-filled, baked one (as opposed to a meat-based and/or deep-fried samosa). Use a whole grain roti (Indian/wrap bread) instead of the white. There is always a way around food to manipulate traditional cuisines to make them healthier (even if it means it’s not “traditional” anymore)! For the entire week, try meal-prepping a curry (that you can include in your diet pill). Lentils work amazingly for this! Have a try at putting ginger and turmeric into one of your dishes. Not only do they enhance flavor, but both spices also have excellent anti-inflammatory properties!
Choose the better option! Choose natural over over-processed. Much of the Indian influence on my approach to health lies in incorporating raw foods over processed ingredients. Think, “What would my grandmother do?” Use honey instead of refined sugar when baking. The former is natural, easily digestible, and more beneficial for the body (packed with antioxidants, for instance). The latter is not. Eat raw roasted chickpeas when looking for something to munch on for a quick snack in the middle of the day. Use freshly squeezed lemon instead of bottled lemon juice. Yes, a more sustainable approach is ideal for future generations. However, this selfish approach to health can work brilliantly for serving us!
The Benefits of Ayurvedic Snacks and Beverages
Ayurvedic snacks and beverages are intentionally made to pacify and balance our doshas, leading to healthier digestion and metabolism.
Digestive herbs and spices, like ginger, turmeric, and fennel, are common ingredients in these snacks and drinks. These herbs and spices kindle our digestive fire (we could all use a little Agni boost), so we break down food properly and experience fewer symptoms like bloating and discomfort. This will ultimately contribute to better digestion and nutrient absorption over time.
They are also holistic in their formulation, as ingredients are chosen to address other aspects of our health. Many of these snacks and beverages give you the bonus of energy-boosting and focus-promoting benefits! Some contain adaptogenic herbs, like Ashwagandha and Tulsi (holy basil), so you have sustained energy and can work harder and smarter. Say goodbye to the pre-lunch slump and dwindling afternoon attention span.
Many brands also consciously add more newly discovered superfoods, so I can’t track what’s hot this year. But wow, it’s on a bag of popcorn and in my milk (nut milk)!! Learning about the health benefits of these mostly plant-based ingredients can be quite the adventure if these snacks bring on the inner nerd in you, as they do to me.
Because you’ve got to get more of this year’s holy grail superfood, right?
And how can I forget? Hyaluronic acid and collagen are not an exhaustive list and are also found in many snacks now (thanks to Korean beauty)! Apart from the many manufacturers working tirelessly to extract collagen from the most unusual (and quite frankly, the most unappetizing) places, “regular” snacks promote these.
Whether you consider yourself plant-based/vegan or not, if you’re interested in beauty, check out my recent post for “9 plant-based (vegan) collagen-boosting healthy foods you should try!” Well-researched, with lots of references for your reading pleasure.
Some snacks and beverages on this list can be put into more than one category because healthy foods aren’t just one-dimensional; many commonly used ingredients, like ginger and turmeric, are great for digestion because they reduce “digestive fire” and alleviate (heat-related) conditions like heartburn!
And you will inevitably find that almost every snack you buy online or at a health food store is “anti-inflammatory” or “packed full of antioxidants” because we don’t want “inflammation” and we don’t wish to “oxidative stress.” [Looking at you, antihistamine supplements — you’re 6 years overdue! Whatever helps you sleep at night, right? :)]
There are also many “women’s health”-focused snacks now that help “balance hormones,” so consuming for “self-care” is making a comeback—have at it, ladies!
Ayurvedic snacks and beverages aren’t just about tasting good—they are about aligning us with Mother Nature, the universe’s natural rhythms, the patterns of the day, and our bodily constitutions.
Eating Ayurvedically infuses nutrition, digestion, and a connection back to the most primordial bits and pieces of you.
Ayurvedic snacks are designed to align with, pacify, and harmonize your doshas, while most Ayurvedic beverages are intentionally formulated tonics that are also dosha-specific.
Some are meant to buff up your digestive abilities. Some can be curated to have a more alkalizing, neutral, or cooling effect. Others are intended to pacify fiery qualities, replenish, or give you a little more of a nutrient- or calorie-rich zing.
This is a choose-your-own-adventure eating and drinking exercise.
- What do you need to add to the mix in the cocktail called Life to balance yourself out?
- What types of Ayurvedic snacks do you enjoy the most?
- What drinks sound the most interesting and enjoyable to you?
It is like encouraging you to explore as many types, styles, methods, and modalities of yoga as possible.
To learn more, visit Ayurveda at Namaste Studios to book an Ayurveda session. Additionally, you can find more of our Ayurveda Blogs here.
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