The following list of suggested foods is by no means all-inclusive, but offers starting guidelines if you are new to ayurvedic dietary principles.

We add to this list periodically, so please check back!


Grains: Rice, wheat, quinoa, oats, amaranth, all cooked until tender

Vegetables: Asparagus, beets, cucumber, okra, pumpkin, lettuce, tender greens, carrots, peas, green beans, jerusalem artichokes, white daikon, zucchini, lauki squash, parsnips, sweet potatoes, all cooked

Fruits: Avocado, pineapple, papaya, peaches, plums, grapes, grapefruit, mangoes, oranges, cherries, pineapple, all kinds of berries, apricots, kiwi, limes and lemons, apples if stewed, coconut, fresh figs, raisins (soaked)

Lentils: Mung beans, urad dhal, mung dhal, masoor dhal, toor dhal, red lentils, all cooked until butter-soft

Dairy: Whole milk, cream, butter, fresh yogurt (cooked into foods), lassi, cottage cheese, goat cheese, fresh paneer cheese

Oils: Ghee, olive oil, sesame oil, cold-pressed nut oils such as walnut

Herbs: Fresh ginger root, cilantro, curry leaves, parsley, fresh basil, fresh fennel, mint

Nuts and Seeds: Almonds (soaked and blanched), cashews, walnuts (soaked), pistachios, hazelnuts, pecans (soaked), pine nuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds

Spices: Ajwain, dried ginger, asafetida (hing) in small quantities, fenugreek, turmeric, cumin, clove, cardamom, coriander, fennel, black pepper, basil, Chinese cinnamon, nutmeg, mustard seed, mint, rosemary, thyme, lemon and orange zest, oregano, rock salt or sea salt, black salt, dried mango powder, pomegranate seeds or powder

Other: Rice milk, soy milk, poppy seeds, sucanat, turbinado sugar, raw honey, and tofu in moderation (diced small and cooked with spices)

Read more