Three Ketogenic and Ayurvedic Smoothies For Each Dosha
Can the Ketogenic Diet (high-fat, low-carb diet) go hand-in-hand with Ayurveda (the world’s oldest health system) and raw veganism (the practice of eating only raw fruits/vegetables/nuts/seeds?) Absolutely! One of my favorite ways are smoothies.
Smoothies don’t have to contain tons of high-fructose fruit, such as banana and mangoes, which are not recommended in the Ketogenic diet. They don’t even need to contain ice, which is not recommended in the Ayurvedic diet. In these smoothies, we replace sugar-dense foods with low-glycemic options and icey ingredients with warming ones, such as ginger and nutmeg, to make them easier to digest.
Why smoothies?
Smoothies are a great way of reaping the nutrient-dense benefits of raw foods without the bloating side-effects. They require no chewing effort and are an easy way to get lots of superfoods and spices into your diet.
Why are smoothies easier to digest than eating the fruits and vegetables on their own?
Raw fruits and vegetables contain fibrous cell walls that can often be difficult for the body to break-down. You’ll know if you are having digestive issues with raw foods if you’re left feeling bloated or gassy after eating a salad. This does not mean you have to totally avoid raw foods. Blending them in a smoothie makes them easier to digest because you’ve broke down the fibrous cell walls that are giving your stomach a hard time.
Why is digestion important?
The reason digestion is important is because the better you digest the food, the more you can assimilate the nutrients. Easily digestible food= more nutritious foods.
Ayurveda sees your digestion like a fire. Imagine a camp-fire left to go out overnight. In the morning, you must gently rekindle the flames of that fire to make it burn brightly again. Our digestion works the same way. In order to have a strong digestion, we must tend to our internal flame. That means no ice water in the morning, which will put our fire out, nor eggs and bacon, which are too heat-inducing for our low fire. A room temperature to warm smoothie is a great option, especially when paired with warming ingredients like ginger and nutmeg that further enhance the digestive fire.
Doesn’t Ayurveda not recommend raw foods?
Traditionally yes but that is changing. Ayurveda makes perfect sense for it’s time and place. It originated in ancient India 5000 years ago and has been passed down across generations since. If you’ve ever traveled to India, you’ll see that no one eats raw foods. In fact, they used to call me a “cow” there because it was so weird for them to see people eat so many raw leafy greens. Ayurveda advised against eating raw foods because you’ll get sick if you eat raw foods in India due to the bacteria in the oil. However, if you live in a place where raw foods are safe, then it is extremely beneficial to eat raw foods.
Raw foods contain living enzymes that fill the body with life-force energy, called Prana in Sanskrit. Prana makes you feel active, motivated, creative and awake. Raw foods are also anti-cancerous, anti-Candida and incredible for the skin and immune system. When we cook foods above 118 degrees, certain nutrients such as Vitamin C are killed, which is why it’s important to include raw vegetables and fruit in your diet.
Does that mean you have to go 100% raw vegan? Not at all! Eat the amount of raw foods that make you feel good. You’ll probably crave more in the hotter, summer months or if you are a Pitta (fire) Dosha, and crave less in the colder, winter months or if you are a Vata or Kapha. Raw foods are beneficial as long as your body doesn’t have a hard time digesting them. Having them in a smoothie is a great way to reap the benefits of raw foods without the potential digestive discomforts.
Why Ketogenic?
The Ketogenic Diet (which is also what the Bulletproof Diet is based off) is all about operating off fat instead of sugar. Most of us eat too much sugar, whether it’s in bread, pasta, sauces or even grains and legumes. Even natural sugars in fruit can contribute to weight-gain, brain-fog, energy dips and Candida (yeast) overgrowth which causes digestive problems, yeast infections, lethargy and other issues. By switching your body’s source of energy from glucose (sugar) to fat, you feel endless amounts of energy and become a fat-burner, rather than sugar-burner.
Our brains are 70% fat and thrive off a high-fat diet. It has even been proven to reduce risks of Alzheimer’s, Epilepsy and other neurological diseases. I’ve felt amazing benefits since switching to a more Ketogenic diet and also have been able to lose stubborn belly-fat that I’ve been holding onto from following a legume-and-grain-based vegan diet. Read all about my experience on a Plant-Based Ketogenic Diet here.
I also take Keto-OS, a ketone supplement that naturally puts you into ketosis without adhering to a strict Ketogenic diet (which is extremely difficult because you have to eat less than 30g of carbs a day.) Since taking Keto OS, I’ve noticed amazing improvements in my energy, fat-burning capabilities, cognitive function and even mood so much that I’ve become an official promoter of the product. I’m hosting a Five Day Keto-OS Trial so you can see how ketosis feels for yourself, which you can order here. If you end up ordering a box on Smartship with my referral “eatfeelfresh” on the Keto-OS website here, I will email you a free 7-Day Plant-Based Low-Glycemic Meal Plan
Every single day I drink my Keto-OS smoothie for breakfast, which fills me up for 4-5 hours. My smoothie often varies, according to the season, where I am and what my needs are. I’m a Vata-Kapha, so I alter my smoothie according to which Dosha is out of balance. If you don’t know your Ayurvedic mind-body type (called a Dosha), take my free quiz here to find the best foods for you. Once you know, then come back here to find your Dosha’s smoothie.
So now are you curious about ways you can enjoy the benefits of the Ketogenic diet, while adhering to the Ayurvedic principals of eating right for your mind-body type and the nutrient-dense qualities of raw vegan smoothies? Here’s how:
Ingredients Featured
Spinach: Great for building stamina. Packed with antioxidants, Calcium, Folate, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Vitamin-A, Vitamin-E & Vitamin-K. Anti-Inflammatory + Bone-Tonic.
Coconut Milk: Naturally sweet and cooling. Alkalizing + high in fat and fiber. It contains protein, Calcium, Iron, Potassium & Magnesium.
Almond Milk: Rich in protein, Vitamin-E, Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, Potassium & Zinc.
Nutmeg: Stimulates digestion. Great for treating Insomnia.
Cilantro: Alkalizing, Diuretic, Anti-Inflammatory, Antihistamine, Antipyretic + burns-toxins
Lime: Stimulates secretion of digestive enzymes.
Pineapple: Supports immune system & bone strength. High in Vitamin C and Antioxidants + Anti-Inflammatory.
Strawberry: Antioxidant + low in sugar, sodium, and cholesterol.
Kale: Alkalizing. Contains Calcium, Potassium, Vitamin-A, Vitamin-C & Vitamin-K. Kale also stimulated peristalsis, encouraging your body to eliminate bowels.
Pumpkin Seeds: Alkalizing. Packed with Antioxidants, Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, Fats & Proteins. Antimicrobial.
Cacao: Antioxidant. Great muscle-relaxant + stimulates energy. Great for boosting brain activity and elevating mood.
Cinnamon: Great for nerves & reproductive system. Increases digestion, burns toxins, relieves arthritis, and anti-fungal.
Ginger: Stimulant. Cleanses toxins, lowers cholesterol, & reduces headaches. Also great for nausea and cramping.
Each Dosha’s Recipe
Kapha Drink:
In a high speed blender, blend ½ cup soaked pumpkin seeds (soaked at least 4 hours) + 2 cups filtered water, 3 tbsp Cacao Powder, pinch of cinnamon, & 1 tsp fresh grated ginger.
Option to add Keto-OS for further fat-burning benefits. Serve warm.
Vata Drink:
In high speed blender, blend ¼ cup soaked almonds (soaked at least 4 hours), 1/3 cup coconut milk, handful spinach, 1 tsp cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg.
Option to add Keto-OS for further brain-enhancing benefits. Serve warm.
Pitta Drink:
In high speed blender, blend 1/3 + 1/6 cup of coconut milk, 10 strawberries, 3 pineapple skewers, 2 tsp fresh Cilantro and juice of ½ a lime.
Option to add Keto-OS for further energizing benefits. Serve chilled.
