Pitta’s Vices: Diet + Lifestyle Habits That Aggravate Pitta Dosha

Ok, guys, let’s talk about pitta‘s vices, which stemmed from the previous post on vata’s vices. Remember, when a dosha is increased (imbalanced), the person will crave the foods and habits that keep increasing that dosha! Meaning, they will crave the completely wrong things.

Pitta Characteristics

Taking a look at pitta, we know pitta people are:

• Sharp-minded
• Sharp-tongued
• Direct
• Focused
• Witty with a great sense of humor
• Hyper-organized
• Detailed
• Play by the rules
• Ask a ton of questions
• Usually found in leadership roles

Pitta Increasing Diet

So when I see a pitta person with a big burger on their plate, copious glasses of wine or cocktails, pouring extra tabasco sauce on their nachos with jalapenos, and following it all up with a piece of chocolate lava cake (with ice cream), I know they have a pitta imbalance. Why? Because a balanced pitta would not eat that much or crave those things. By the way, that there pitta would be running for the heartburn medicines to calm that craziness down!

Imbalanced Cravings

In my observation, an imbalanced pitta craves:

• Very sugary sweet desserts
• Chocolate
• Spicy foods
• Red meat
• Alcohol
• Large portions of food

The vice-rites (vice favorites) all increase heat, with the exception of the sweets. Pittas are already hotsie-totsie due to their fire nature, so having heated foods and drink will make the fire stronger. Hello heartburn, high blood pressure, loose poop, and that sparky lil temper!

Pittas have a naturally strong agni (digestive fire) and when it increases above their natural state (called tikshna agni) they will want more food than they really need. So they have strong hunger, but weak digestion and this causes weight gain.

Pittas tend to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders and appreciate any release from stress they can find, which is part of the reason they turn to alcohol or food to relax. Sweets are cooling* which is normally good for pitta, but eating highly processed sweets and chocolates will give them a sugar high. Then they’ll crash and be upset they are unproductive. See? I know people sometimes.

Balanced Pitta

Now that we understand what pitta’s vices are, let’s end on a positive note and highlight some of their virtues.

In my observation, a balanced pitta craves lots of:

• Fruit
• Veggies
• Healthy carbs
• Water
• Pure proteins like lentils
• Organic meats
• Red meat only on occasion

When pittas eat the right foods and are truly balanced, they are chronically witty (these are the people that make you spit milk out your nose) and make the best out of being focused and present. They don’t let worries or stress shake their consistent stride toward their goals. They make inspiring leaders with a loyal following.

Celebrate your Inner Pitta!

If I saw a smiling, glowing, fire-goddess eating a hearty rice bowl with protein, vegetables and aromatic mild spices, with a cooling mint tea, I would think she’s pretty close to her natural pitta self. And she might even enjoy a piece of dark chocolate for dessert.

Okay pittas, do any of these vices sound familiar? If so, yay! Because now you have the knowledge and root cause behind your behavior and you can fix it. If you have other vices, do share with us! We’re in this together, one big healing hug at a time.

*Pittas tend to have a sweet tooth because the sweet taste is cooling. Sticking to fruits with natural sugars is best, but a piece of dark, slightly bitter chocolate is okay too as a treat and would be enough to satisfy them.

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