Kapha Balancing Foods

Kapha Balancing Diet

Light, dry, warming and uplifting or energizing foods are best for Kapha dosha. Prefer a minimalist and light diet with a focus on fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid any heavy, oily, rich foods.

Taste for Kapha

Include

Astringent
Bitter
Pungent

Avoid

Salty
Sour
Sweet

Fruits for Kapha

Prefer astringent fruits and avoid sweet or sour fruits to balance Kapha.

Include

Apple
Apricot
Berries
Cherries
Cranberries
Peaches
Pear
Persimmon
Pomegranate
Pomegranate if astringent
Prune
Raisin

May have occasionally

Figs (dry)
Grapes
Lemon
Lime
Mango
Pomegranate (sour)
Strawberry

Avoid

Avocado
Banana
Cantaloupe
Coconut
Dates
Figs (fresh)
Kiwi
Melons
Oranges
Papaya
Pineapple
Plums
Raspberry
Tamarind
Watermelon

Vegetables for Kapha

Include

Alfalfa sprouts
Artichokes
Asparagus
Beet greens
Beets
Bell peppers
Bitter melon
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Chilies
Cilantro
Collard greens
Corn
Daikon radish
Dandelion greens
Garlic
Ginger
Green beans
Horseradish
Kale
Kohlrabi
Leafy greens
Leeks
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Mustard greens
Onion
Parsley
Peas
Spinach
Squash (summer)
Tomatoes (cooked)
Turnips
Watercress
Wheat grass

May have occasionally

Cucumber
Eggplant
Okra
Parsnips
Raw tomatoes
White potatoes
Winter squash

Avoid

Olives (black or green)
Pumpkin
Squash (winter)
Sweet potato
Taro root
Yams
Zucchini

Grains for Kapha

Prefer grains that are light and dry in nature. Avoid heavy or sticky grains.

Include

Barley
Buckwheat
Cereals (dry, cold, or puffed)
Corn
Couscous
Crackers
Dry grains
Granola
Oat bran
Oats (dry)
Polenta
Quinoa
Rye
Sago
Seitan (wheat meat)
Sprouted wheat bread
Tapioca

May have occasionally

Amaranth
Durham flour
Millet
Quinoa
Rice (basmati, wild)

Avoid

Bread (with yeast)
Oats (cooked)
Pasta
Rice (white, brown)
Wheat
Yeast and fermented products

Beans and Legumes for Kapha

Most beans are generally good for Kapha with just some exceptions.

Include

Adzuki beans
Black beans
Black eyed beans
Chickpeas
Lentils (red and brown)
Lima beans
Mung beans
Navy beans
Peas (dry)
Pinto beans
Split peas
Tempeh
Toor dal (split yellow pigeon peas)
White beans

Avoid

Kidney beans
Miso
Soyabeans
Tofu (especially cold)
Urad dal (black gram lentil)

Nuts and Seeds for Kapha

Heavy and very oily nuts are to be avoided.

Include

Chia seeds
Flax seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Sunflower seeds

May have occasionally

Almonds (soaked & peeled)

Avoid

Brazil Nuts
Cashews
Coconut
Macadamia Nuts
Peanuts
Pecans
Pine nuts
Pistachios
Sesame seeds
Tahini
Walnuts

Oils for Kapha

In general, oils should be taken in very small quantity for kapha.

Include

Canola oil (organic)
Corn oil
Mustard oil (organic)
Sunflower oil

May have occasionally

small amounts of:
Almond oil
Butter
Flaxseed oil
Ghee

Avoid

Avocado oil
Coconut oil
Olive oil
Safflower oil
Sesame oil
Soy oil

Dairy for Kapha

Dairy products should be generally avoided but there are some exceptions.

Include

Cottage cheese from skim goat's milk
Goat cheese (unsalted, not aged)
Goat's milk

May have occasionally

small amounts of:
Buttermilk (unsalted)
Yogurt, home made (fresh, diluted)

Avoid

Butter (salted & unsalted)
Cheese
Cow's milk
Cream
Frozen yogurt
Ice cream
Sour cream
Yogurt (store bought)

Sweeteners for Kapha

All sweeteners should be avoided.

May have occasionally

Fruit juice concentrates
Raw honey (in small amounts)

Avoid

all other sweeteners
Barley malt
Fructose
Honey (cooked)
Jaggary
Maple syrup
Molasses
Rice syrup
White sugar

Spices and Herbs for Kapha

Most spices are good for Kapha except anything very sour.

Include

Asafoetida
Basil
Bay leaves
Black pepper
Cardamom
Cayenne
Cinnamom
Cloves
Fenugreek
Garlic
Ginger
Mustard seeds
Nutmeg
Oregano

Avoid

Pickles
Salt (excessive)
Tamarind
Vinegar

Animal Products for Kapha

Should generally be avoided as much as possible.

Include

Chicken (white)
Fish (fresh water)
Rabbit
Shrimp
Turkey (white)
Venison

May have occasionally

Eggs (boiled, not fried)

Avoid

Beef
Lamb
Pork
Salmon
Sardines
Tuna

Beverages for Kapha

Avoid iced drinks

Include

Alcohol (dry wine, red or white)
Aloe vera juice
Apple cider
Apple juice
Apricot juice
Berry juice
Black tea (spiced)
Carrot juice
Chai
Cranberry juice
Mango juice
Peach nectar
Pear juice
Pomegranate juice
Prune juice
Soy milk (spiced)

Avoid

Almond milk
Caffeinated beverages
Carbonated drinks
Chocolate milk
Coffee
Cold dairy drinks
Iced tea
Icy cold drinks
Lemonade
Miso broth
Rice milk
Sour juices

Herbal Teas for Kapha