A Vegan Smoothie for Your Dosha, by Lisa V. Gotte, VLCE

posted April 26, 2022

Vegan smoothies are delicious and healthy, and great for a quick breakfast or snack. Being blended fruits and greens, they’re basically a salad in a blender. As nutritious as they are, smoothies are tasty and feel like a decadent treat. But can you take it even further to create a perfect vegan smoothie that’s also optimal for your individual constitution and dosha?

Dosh-What? Let Me Explain

Ayurveda, which translates to “science of life,” is one of the oldest forms of medicine and aims to unite physical, mental, psychological, and spiritual health to create overall, whole-body-mind-spirit health. In Ayurveda, the world is made of five elements:

• space (aakash)
• water (jala)
• earth (prithvi)
• fire (teja)
• air (vayu)

Doshas are the three body/personality types described in Ayurveda. Each of the three doshas is based upon these five elements and have their own unique attributes, strengths, weaknesses, preferences, and recommendations. Most people are a combination of doshas, although one predominates.

There are many free quizzes available online to discover your own dosha profile. Click here to take a dosha quiz from Banyan Botanicals.

Smoothies for Your Dosha

Vata consists primarily of space and air. This dosha is described as cold, light dry, rough, flowing, and spacious. Those with the vata dosha often have lots of energy, are slim with a fast metabolism, and tend to be creative. They can also be anxious, forgetful, easily overwhelmed, and sensitive.

Peach-Carrot Smoothie for Vata

Smoothies for vata dosha types will ideally be served at refrigerated or room temperature. Limit ice, as vatas are prone to being chilly. Adding a root vegetable, like carrot, will be grounding for the airy vata as well. Beet is another great addition, as well as anything that adds a few more calories.

• 1 ripe pitted peach, cut into wedges
• ¼ cup instant or old-fashioned oats
• 1 ripe banana, peeled
• 1 carrot, peeled
• 1 cup oat or hemp milk
• 1-2 dates or stevia to taste, if more sweetness is desired

Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender and puree until very smooth and creamy.

Kapha is based on earth and water. This dosha is described as slow, heavy, cold, and soft. People with a lot of kapha are described as strong, stable, and caring. They know how to keep things together and are supportive of others. Kaphas can also be prone to weight gain, slow metabolism, allergies, and sluggishness.

Chocolate Spice Smoothie for Kapha

This smoothie for slower-going kaphas includes cacao or cocoa powder, which contain the mild stimulant theobromine. Orange juice brings acidity and a pinch of cayenne and ginger add some needed fire. Chia helps speed digestion. Kaphas also benefit from any kind of berry, which tend to be lower in the glycemic index and simple to add to any smoothie.

• 2 cups fresh spinach or other suitable green
• 1 cup orange juice
• 2-3 tablespoons cacao or cocoa powder
• 1 ripe banana, can be frozen
• 1 tablespoon ground chia seeds
• ½ teaspoon powdered ginger
• Dash of cayenne pepper
• 6 ice cubes
• 1-2 dates or stevia to taste, if more sweetness is desired

To make this smoothie the smoothest it can be, first puree the spinach or greens in a high-speed blender with the orange juice. Then add the remaining ingredients and puree until very smooth and creamy.

Pitta is made of fire and water. This dosha is described as hot, light, sharp, liquid, oily, and mobile. Those with a predominant pitta dosha tend to be strong, muscular, athletic, competitive, intelligent, with a quick metabolism, good circulation, and healthy skin and hair. They can also be prone to anger and conflict, inflammation, mood swings, acne, and sensitivity to hot temperatures.

Frosty Pineapple Smoothie for Pitta

This delicious smoothie has sweet fruit to cool fiery pitta energy while also being energizing. It’s simple, but so tasty and nutritious. Pittas also benefit from cooling vegetables, like cucumber, which make a surprisingly tasty addition to smoothies.

• 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
• ½ cup frozen mango chunks
• ¼ cup instant or old-fashioned oats
• 1 banana, frozen and cut into chunks
• 1 cup oat or hemp milk
• 6 ice cubes
• 1-2 dates or stevia to taste, if more sweetness is desired

Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender and puree until very smooth and creamy.

 

Lisa V. Gotte is vegan artist, photographer, cookbook author, gardener, recipe developer, RYT100 yoga teacher, and Main Street Vegan Academy Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Educator. She loves this planet and all of her inhabitants and creates delicious vegan and gluten-free recipes at Planted365. Lisa also shares raw food recipes at Raw on $10 a Day, and supports and explores veganism at Veganosphere.