07/21/2025
Raw vs. Cooked: Finding Balance in Summer Eating
Summer invites more raw foods—salads, smoothies, juices, and fruits—that feel refreshing, light, and hydrating. While raw foods are often praised for their nutrients, Ayurveda reminds us: you are not what you eat, but what you digest. Digestion (Agni) is central to health, and raw foods—being cold, dry, and rough—can weaken it, especially in Vata and Kapha types.
That said, there is a place for raw foods in a well-balanced Ayurvedic diet. Soft vegetables like cucumber, celery, and leafy greens, or seasonal fruits, juices, and chutneys can be cooling and beneficial—particularly in hot weather, for Pittas, or after heavy meals. The key is moderation and proper preparation.
Avoid raw foods when you’re:
Feeling cold, anxious, or ungrounded
Recovering from illness, stress, or childbirth
Experiencing gas, bloating, or weak digestion
In winter or cold, dry climates
If including raw foods:
Eat them at room temperature
Add warming spices like ginger, pepper, or lemon juice
Avoid cold drinks and refrigerated smoothies
Blend or juice fibrous veggies to ease digestion
Pair raw with warm, cooked foods for balance
Ultimately, the best diet is personalized—based on your dosha, digestion, lifestyle, and season. While raw foods can offer a short-term reset, overuse may aggravate Vata, deplete tissues, and disrupt balance. As Ayurveda wisely says: “Anything can be medicine, or poison—it all depends on the context.”
Read the full blog post here: https://kreemshakti.com/raw-vs-cooked-food-the-longstanding-debate/
