This article is merely an introduction to a way of life, which many Indians have practiced, that I can only introduce you to.
By the way, each dosha contains two elements: Vata has ether and air, Pitta has fire and water while Kapha has water and earth. We all have three doshas within us but one or two may be more prominent.
Depending on which doshas are dominant in us, we can be hot or cold, dry or wet, heavy or light. For instance, if one is deemed heavy, one would need to limit intake of dairy and if one is hot, then certain spices should be used with care.
How you prepare food is also key, e.g. you fry, the food is "heavy," and also what time you have the food.
Balance is at stake here (just as it is in the Hindu tradition of Vastu). It's believed the aggravation of all three doshas results in disease. Maintaining your digestive system and eating the right foods for your constitution is thought to elongate one's life as well as contribute to overall health.
In Ayurveda, every food has its own taste (rasa), a heating or cooling energy (virya) and a digestive consequence (vipaka). You can cause upset in your system if you combine different foods of different taste, energy or digestive effect. For instance, never combine tea with fruit or lemon with cucumber.
Here are a few Ayurvedic eating tips I garnered from the Yoga-Yoga website:
For more on Ayurveda and food, check out Niam's Basic Principals of Ayurveda and the Ayurveda-ForYou.com food plan.
Next article: Ayurvedic Do's and Don'ts.