What You’ll Eat During Ayurveda Treatment: Inside a Pathya (Therapeutic) Diet Kitchen

During Ayurveda therapy you will be eating a pathya diet. This means eating warm, freshly cooked and easily digested meals that have been specifically chosen by your doctor to suit your dosha, health and therapy. During an Ayurvedic treatment in Kerala, this usually means eating simple rice based meals, light lentil soups, vegetables and mild spices. Don’t need to misunderstand it as a fasting diet.

 

What is a Pathya?

Pathya means eating wholesome food that doesn’t affect the body’s channels (srotas). In Ayurveda, diet is considered as a form of treatment. Classical texts state that incorrect diet will only provide limited benefits from the medicine.

 

How Does it Works?

There will not be a set menu. The meals will be cooked based on what your doctor prescribes, so the texture, spiciness and amount of ghee/oil can vary between each guest. However, there are some guidelines:

 

• Freshly cooked meals

 

• Eaten at set times

 

• Warm or room temperature drinks

 

• Often includes rice, moong dal, seasonal vegetables and buttermilk

 

• Avoid heavy, deep fried, colored food items, and also food from outside will not be allowed.

 

How Meals Changes With Therapy?

1. Pre Panchakarma – Light and simple meals to aid digestion and prepare the body.

 

2. During Therapy – Gentle, warm foods to maintain digestion in a stable condition.

 

3. Post Therapy – The body, after the therapy, will follow a step by step process known as Samsarjana Krama. In this condition, we will start with peya (thin rice gruel), then vilepi (thicker gruel), then yusha (light lentil soup) and finally regular meals can be re-introduced. Usually after a cleanse, the body will have weak digestive strength (agni), so the food will be introduced slowly. This can take between a few days depending on the intensity of the cleansing process.

 

Why Diet Matters in The Treatment?

The best Ayurvedic treatment in Kerala will include both therapies and diet. If the centre takes the same care when choosing your diet as they do with the medicine, it will make the treatment more efficient. The Rasayana Ayurveda Centre has a diet kitchen on-site. We take a holistic approach that covers your Ahara (food), Vihara (activity), Vichara (thought) and Nidra (sleep).

 

Clarify Before You Begin

As everyone is different, what works for one person may not work for another. Don’t copy a diet from the internet. If you suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure, food intolerances or anything else please let your doctor know during your initial consultation, so they can plan your meals safely. Book a consultation with our doctors and let them diagnose your conditions and find out what your pathya diet would include.