Regular Meal Times
Vata is the season of irregularity. To counter vata’s irregular nature we have to work to build in regularity as much as we can. We started in week two by introducing some regular morning and evening routines. This week we’ll work to establish regular mealtimes and commit to eating three meals every day!
Those with more vata naturally in their constitution are often what we call “grazers”……they pick and nibble all day long and often skip eating regular meals. Grazing, and keeping some amount of food in the stomach all day long can often be problematic, as the digestive system never really gets an opportunity to rest. Grazing also leads to skipping regular meals, which means skipping nutrition.
Vata, and her mobility, can also increase feelings of anxiety, which can often lead to over eating, or what is sometimes called “emotional eating” — eating as a way to distract ourselves away from the anxiety. Having established mealtimes can help reduce instances of emotional eating, when we know we have another meal coming up soon.
Āyurveda recommends eating three meals per day (both vata and pitta can also add in snacks if needed, at appropriate times), with lunch being the most substantial meal of the day. When planning your mealtimes, always try to reserve at least 4 hours between meals/snacks to ensure digestion of the first meal is complete before you add another. And always try to have your last meal of the day by 7:00pm (unless you are experiencing a vata imbalance, in which case, a small snack before bed can add heaviness to help you sleep through the night).
An example of āyurvedic mealtimes would be as follows:
7:00am - Breakfast (for vata season, include some protein, and aim for warm, smooth, and heavy). This might include a bowl of oatmeal with added nut butter, scrambled eggs, or this baked eggs in avocado.
11:00am - Lunch (for vata season, make sure you lunch is cooked, no raw salads, cold cut sandwiches, or smoothies). You might have a warm bowl of soup and some steamed veggies, leftovers from your dinner the previous night, or kitchari.
3:00pm - Snack (if needed) Snacks for pacifying vata include nuts of all kinds, nut butter, hard or soft boiled eggs, or avocado slices.
7:00pm - Dinner (dinner should always be light and easy to digest) Soups and stews are my favorite vata season dinners. There’s nothing like a warm bowl of soup at the end of a cool day.
Try to plan your meals according to your regular routine so that you can try to eat around the same time each day. If you work during the day, please, take a lunch break!! Step away from your desk, find a quiet and peaceful place where you can focus on your meal.
We know that when you eat your meals is important, but how and where you eat them is just as important for healthy digestion. Eating in a calm and peaceful environment will support your digestion by allowing you to relax. Eating slowly, taking time to chew and savor your food, will also support your digestive process. Make eating a time for regular mindfulness practice throughout your day. Use your senses when you eat, take time to look at your food, smell it, notice how it feels in your mouth, and really taste it.