and heavy whole-wheat breads can upset Pitta dosha, so does brown unrefined cane sugar. The Pitta type
is the only one that can get away with eating white sugar from time to time. Maple and carob syrups are
also more easily digested by the Pitta type, unless he eats these in large amounts (which unbalanced Pittas
tend to do).
The fats that are contained in meat, eggs, pork, etc., strongly irritate Pitta types. Fried and oily foods,
too, upset a Pitta’s stomach, causing heartburn and even ulcers. He also has great difficulties digesting
meat and fish proteins. These foods tend to heat up his body and cause circulatory problems. Most of the
Pitta types who eat meat or other animal foods on a regular basis develop a pouch around the stomach,
hold on to excessive lymph fluid and suffer from coronary heart disease. Their skin, especially around the
face, neck and upper chest may redden. Pitta types thrive on a purely vegetarian diet, but fall ill if they
don’t. Their digestive system is not equipped with the specific enzyme systems needed to successfully
handle flesh or other concentrated protein foods, such as cheese. Carbohydrates such as vegetables,
grains, pulses and fruits and salads, and some nuts and seeds greatly satisfy a Pitta’s stomach.
A steak can make a balanced Pitta bad-tempered and aggressive. So can alcohol, tobacco and coffee.
These items are far too acidic-forming for the already sour-taste-dominated Pitta type. Mint, fennel, and
Liquorice teas are all pacifying Pitta, whereas regular tea aggravates it. The liver breaks down regular tea
into large amounts of uric acid, which tends to cause sluggishness and thickening of the blood.
Eventually, it can cause gout or other painful conditions. Fresh, cool water is the best beverage for this
body type.
Pittas are better off staying away from Indian or Mexican restaurants whereas Chinese and Japanese
foods suit them better, as long as they stick to the vegetarian food selections. Salty snacks, like crisps, can
also upset their sensitive stomach lining. Pitta types thrive on fresh and unprocessed foods, preferably
organically grown. The remnants of pesticides or other impurities contained in foods are more likely to be
felt by the Pitta type, and can even cause “food” allergies. In many cases, it is not the food the Pitta type
reacts to, but the chemical poisons and additives they contain. Note: To test for food allergies, take your
pulse; then place a small piece of the food under your tongue and take your pulse again; if it is higher than
before you may be allergic to that particular food. Ghee (clarified butter) is one of the main foods to
pacify irritated Pitta and can be used for cooking, and on breads. It pacifies imbalances resulting from
excessive secretions of bile and stomach acid.
Pitta types should be particularly careful not to eat unripe and prematurely picked fruits, as they tend to
ferment in the intestines and cause loose stools or diarrhea. Unripe fruits are packed with toxic antibodies
which the Pitta’s immune system will quickly try to purge from the intestines.
Since the heating properties of the fire element are dominating in the Pitta type, in a balanced state he
has a natural aversion to “fire foods,” which can be summarized as follows:
FIRE FOODS
(To be reduced or avoided)- Acidic foods and medicines
- Meat and its products
- Fish
- “Heating” grains
- Vinegar
- Pickles
- Hot spices
- Most Nuts
- Salt and salty foods
- Sour/pungent fruits and vegetables
- Oily foods
- Red-color foods