What’s for Breakfast? Kapha Dosha

If your predominant Ayurveda dosha (body type) is Kapha, then your steady nature is governed by structure, earth and water which is why Kapha-types such as yourself may struggle at times with excess weight and a general feeling of heaviness. Your skin is likely smooth, your eyes large and kind, and your stamina steady and good. Kapha tends to be stable, heavy, cold, soft and slower than both Vata and Pitta doshas.

Kapha types are generous and sympathetic. They usually sleep deeply and soundly and possess a calm disposition. They don’t like to push themselves too hard with exercise and other vigorous activities. They tend to be cold or cool and may suffer from sinus and other forms of congestion as they retain water pretty easily, which is why they may not find themselves terribly thirsty. Although they usually have a somewhat steady and moderate appetite, they are often perfectly fine with just two meals per day, often skipping breakfast altogether. Kapha does not do well with heavy, oily, slow-to-digest foods like heavy fatty meats and lots of breads and pastries which can aggravate this dosha. Rather, they are best with pungent foods and spices, bitter and astringent legumes and fruits and vegetables which help tonify and balance their constitution.

Warm, light and dry foods are key for Kapha dosha! Getting enough exercise, taking care not to over-sleep and fighting the tendency to lay around leisurely are challenges well worth taking on. Avoiding sweets and taking care to nurture their agni (digestive fire) with hot spices like curry powder and cayenne, and bitter vegetables like bitter melon, dark leafy greens and asparagus, are very helpful. While a small amount (about a teaspoon) of ghee daily can help balance Kapha types, too much can create an imbalance.

If you’re not sure what your Ayurveda body type is, check out this site where you can take a free quiz to help determine your primary dosha: ⁠ https://www.oneworldayurveda.com/free-dosha-quiz/

The predominant tastes that balance Kapha dosha are pungent, bitter and astringent. Here are five breakfast ideas to get you started:

1. Granola with pumpkin seeds and berries and a cup of hot spiced chai.

2. Baked apples, pears, peaches or nectarines with cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. Add whole grain spelt toast spread with a little almond butter and a cup of hot tea or coffee.

3. Yellow Split Mung Dal Kitchari cooked with ginger, cumin and curry powder. Garnish with steamed squash and kale. Add a teaspoon of ghee and enjoy with cup of spearmint tea.

4. Hot creamy quinoa breakfast cereal with almonds and sunflower seeds, raisins and a a dash of raw honey. Add a cup of hot spiced chai.

5. One or two boiled eggs with rice cakes spread with sunflower butter, chopped dried figs and pears. Sprinkle with cinnamon and ginger. Enjoy with a cup of hot fennel or peppermint tea.