11/09/2025
For decades, Western nutrition told us to fear fat. “Low-fat” was marketed as “healthy”—yet Ayurveda has always known that fats are essential. The Sanskrit word for oil, sneha, also means love 🤍, reminding us that fats bring softness, stability, and nourishment on every level.
Fats lubricate the digestive tract, keep joints supple, skin radiant, and calm Vata dosha, the energy that governs our nervous system. They also carry nutrients deep into the tissues, building ojas —our vitality and immunity. Oils are also carriers of taste, helping food become more satisfying and digestible.
Quality, once again, matters: ghee, the golden nectar of Ayurveda, is deeply praised for its balancing qualities. Cold-pressed oils like sesame, olive, or coconut can be chosen according to the season and one’s unique needs. Overly processed and refined oils, however, weaken digestion and tissues. Whole foods such as nuts and seeds are also rich sources of grounding fats and strength, especially when soaked to enhance digestibility. And while deep-fried foods may be enjoyable as an occasional treat, they tend to aggravate all three doshas, so enjoy them mindfully and don't overindulge.
As with all things, balance is key. Too much can dull digestion, too little leaves us dry, anxious, and ungrounded. When chosen with care, fats are true medicine—love in edible form✨
