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Diet for your dosha
Diet and daily routine for Kapha body types
Kapha people are often calm, steady and strong. When Kapha builds up, it shows as heaviness, sluggishness and weight gain. The right food and routine keep it in balance.
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What Kapha means
Kapha is the dosha of earth and water: heavy, cool, oily, slow and stable. In balance it gives strength, good stamina, a calm mind and steady immunity. Out of balance it can show as weight gain, lethargy, oversleeping, congestion and coughs, and slow digestion.
Food that suits Kapha
- Warm, light and freshly cooked meals rather than heavy, oily or fried food
- Plenty of vegetables, especially leafy greens
- Lighter grains such as millets and barley, and pulses such as green gram (moong)
- Warming spices in moderation: ginger, black pepper, turmeric, cumin
- Bitter, pungent and astringent tastes; less sweet, sour and salty food
- Warm water through the day
Foods to cut down
- Sweets, bakery products and sugary drinks
- Fried food and heavy dairy, especially curd at night
- Cold drinks, ice cream and leftovers
- Overeating, and eating when not hungry
Daily routine for Kapha
- Wake up early, ideally before 6 AM
- Exercise every day, and make it active enough to break a sweat
- Avoid sleeping during the day
- Keep dinner light and early
Key points
- Kapha is heavy, cool and steady; excess shows as heaviness and weight gain
- Favour warm, light, freshly cooked food with warming spices
- Cut down sweets, fried food, cold drinks and curd at night
- Rise early, exercise daily and avoid daytime sleep
Not sure of your body type? Your physician assesses your prakriti at the first consultation. See also diet for Vata types.
General information only, not a diagnosis or a substitute for a consultation. See our medical disclaimer. More health tips.