Balancing Doshas in Menopause With Ayurvedic Diet

 Balancing Vata Dosha for Menopause

So, how is an imbalanced vata dosha state associated with menopausal symptoms? According to Ayurveda, ageing is a vata-predominant process. The more you age, the more your body is prone to aggravated vata conditions. Therefore, many of the women experience symptoms similar to aggravated vata conditions.

Ways to Soothe Pitta Dosha 

Ayurveda considers menopause the transition of a woman's life from a pitta dominant phase to a vata dominant phase. Pitta is the dosha associated with the processes of proliferation and secretion, which are important events during the reproductive phase in a woman's life. Any pitta imbalances that occur during the reproductive period, if untreated, can worsen the menopausal symptoms caused by pitta dosha.

 Balancing Kapha Dosha for Hormonal Wellness

Perimenopause, or the stage preceded by menopause, is when kapha is predominant, according to Ayurveda. Kapha dosha is responsible for maintaining structural stability and integrity of the tissues, which gradually decreases when a woman hits her late forties or early fifties. A decrease in kapha dosha leads to Dhatu Kshaya / tissue depletion.

Eat to Beat Menopausal Discomforts: Dietary Guidelines to Follow

Ayurvedic dietary tips for menopause relief mainly involve feeding your body what it needs by thoroughly analysing every menopausal symptom. The severity of the menopausal symptoms results from the imbalances of doshas and depletion of dhatus, which were not corrected or adequately managed during the reproductive phase. Ayurveda also stresses the importance of dietary detoxification to decrease the effects of bioaccumulation of toxins termed 'ama' that can worsen menopausal symptoms.

Here is the list of five foods that can help you balance menopausal symptoms with ease!

Fresh fruits and green leafy veggies ;

This ensures intake of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Best fruits and vegetables for menopause include spinach, kale, watercress, romaine lettuce, beetroot, apples, berries, dates, oranges, strawberries, avocados, pomegranates and mangoes.

Whole grains ;

Including whole grains in your diet helps ensure an adequate supply of vitamin B and fibre.

Ayurveda suggests porridge preparation with whole grains like yava/Barley as one of the best meals for women during menopause.

Other sources of whole grains include Brown rice, quinoa, millet, oats and buckwheat.

Calcium-rich foods ;

 During menopause, the chances of getting osteoporosis are higher, so sufficient calcium supply should be ensured. 

Ayurveda suggests the intake of milk and clarified butter. Yoghurt and tofu can also be good sources of calcium and probiotics. If you are lactose intolerant, ayurvedic herbs like Shatavari,shigru, amla, and arjuna can help you balance the calcium supply in your body.

Protein-rich foods ;

This helps combat fatigue, ensure muscle strength, and improve your energy levels.

Protein-rich foods include almonds, walnuts, pistachios, sunflower seeds, flax seeds and soybeans

Herbal teas ;

This can help detox your body and improve your metabolism.

Chamomile, chasteberry, green, turmeric, liquorice, shatavari, and red raspberry leaf tea are promising to fight menopausal symptoms.

The Right Menopause Diet - What to Avoid?

• Limit intake of coffee and excess caffeine
• Limit intake of Red meat
• Avoid alcohol intake
• Avoid canned, refined foods and all types of processed foods.
• Avoid excess fermented food 
• Avoid chillies and spicy foods
• Avoid cold foods
• Avoid artificial sweeteners, chemical food flavours and food colourings

Meal Planning and Timing

Meal planning and timing is also equally important if you are planning on a healthy menopause diet change. Check out these tips -

• Make sure to eat all your meals in the right quantity. Do not skin any meal, but eat just as much you need to maintain energy levels and nutrient requirements.
• Keep lunch as the largest meal of your day. Have a very light dinner, before sunset. 
• Remember to add spices like ginger, turmeric, garlic, cumin, fennel, coriander and cardamom into your diet plan. These will keep your cells in good shape.
• Always try to eat freshly prepared warm food.
• Avoid raw vegetables as it is a little hard to digest.

Wrapping Up!

The ayurvedic diet plan focuses on personalised approach as per your body type and as per the dosha changes in your body.

So, following the right set of ayurvedic dietary guidelines is essential to keep your menopausal symptoms at bay.

To know more, connect with Nirva health-experts.