Every season affects our bodies differently. Imagine sipping on a cool mango lassi, or indulging in ice cream while wrapped up in jackets, mufflers and gloves during a winter stroll in january—sounds quite unpleasant & uncomfortable, right? Our bodies react like this because different foods help restore balance during different seasons. Eating out of sync with nature, even if you’re eating healthy, can cause problems like a weaker immune system, weight changes, and poor skin and hair.
But following Ayurvedic principles, eating in tune with the seasons, isn’t just about feeling good now—it’s also a smart way to prevent health issues. Ayurveda offers seasonal guidelines called Ritucharya, with “ritu” translating to “season”, and “charya” translating to guidelines regimen or discipline. These guidelines serve as prescriptions for diet and lifestyle changes throughout the year.These guidelines keep our bodies and minds strong to fight off seasonal illnesses, and they balance the three doshas, keeping us healthy year-round.
According to Ayurveda, the year is divided into two periods, each containing three seasons: Uttarayana, the cold months, which contains the seasons of Sharath, Hemanta, and Shishira, and Dakshinayana, the warm months, which contains the seasons Vasanta, Grishma, and Varsha.
Sharath Ritucharya (Autumn Sesaon)
Sharath Ritu begins in the middle of September, and lasts until mid-November.
What to eat –
Eat bitter, light, cold, astringent, and sweet foods like rice, honey, green leafy veggies, tomatoes, root vegetables, pineapples, ghee (clarified butter), and other dairy products. Which are easy on your stomach, and avoid foods high in fat and salt.
Hemanta Ritucharya (Pre-winter Sesaon)
Hemanta Ritu blows in during the middle of November, and lasts until the middle of January.
What to eat
Eat sweet, sour, and salty foods like pumpkin, cabbage, spinach, corn, rice, carrots, potatoes, onions, beets, apples, dates, and dairy products. And avoid foods that are cold, light, and dry.