Everybody requires a customized diet. One type is not good for all, and
standard diets such as high-carb, high protein or low-cal are simply not
healthy choices for everyone. Ananda’s food concept is based on this belief
and through incorporating key principles from Ayurveda. According to
Ayurveda everything is made out of the five elements of air, space, fire,
water and earth, including our bodies. The three body types are a
combination of these - Vata constitutes air and space - Pitta is made up of
fire and water - and Kapha is water and earth.
Therefore, when thinking about food we must take into consideration not just
taste, but suitability to body type. For example, Vata body types (air and
space) lean towards light and dry foods. In order to balance this, oily,
moist and heavy foods, with tones of sweet, sour and salt need to
be added to the diet. In contrast, Pitta body types (fire, water) need
cool and heavy foods with sweet, bitter and pungent flavours to dowse
the fire. Similarly, Kapha body types (water, earth) need light food,
with bitter, pungent and astringent flavouring - such as thyme,
rosemary and mustard.
Ananda in the Himalayas should not be looked at just as a place to diet and
lose weight, but should instead be “a way of life”. Our cuisine is fresh
natural foods low in fat and calories with an emphasis on whole grains,
fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, low-fat dairy products, and the
avoidance of added or artificial salts, colors, flavors, or preservatives.
The objective is to provide a rejuvenation cuisine for guests, who, whilst
relaxing, desire to re-vitalize their body and soul through a healthy
approach to diet and lifestyle. This is reemphasized by the show kitchen at
Ananda where our chefs instruct in how to make these dishes at home so that
one may continue that ‘way of life’. Special care menus are provided in
consultation with the in house Ayurvedic doctor, to align the specific
imbalances of the various body types.
