AP Ayurvedic Nutrition & Diet 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which taste (rasa) is considered most beneficial for Vata dosha in excess?
- Pungent
- Sweet, sour, and salty (Correct answer)
- Bitter and astringent
- Bitter only
Correct answer: Sweet, sour, and salty
Sweet, sour, and salty tastes pacify Vata by providing grounding, moisture, and warmth that counteract Vata's dry, light, and cold qualities.
Question 2: In Ayurveda, which food combination is considered most incompatible (viruddha ahara)?
- Rice and lentils
- Milk and fish (Correct answer)
- Ghee and vegetables
- Honey and warm water
Correct answer: Milk and fish
Milk and fish is a classic viruddha ahara (incompatible food) combination in Ayurveda, as both are considered heavy and their opposing qualities create digestive toxins (ama).
Question 3: According to Ayurveda, what is the ideal amount of the stomach to fill with food at a meal?
- One-quarter solid food, three-quarters liquid
- One-third solid, one-third liquid, one-third empty (Correct answer)
- One-half solid food, one-half liquid
- Fill completely but eat slowly
Correct answer: One-third solid, one-third liquid, one-third empty
The classical Ayurvedic recommendation is to fill one-third of the stomach with food, one-third with liquid, and leave one-third empty for proper digestion.
Question 4: Which property describes food that is guru (heavy) in Ayurvedic dietetics?
- Stimulates agni and reduces ama
- Takes longer to digest and increases Kapha (Correct answer)
- Increases Vata and dries tissues
- Reduces Pitta and cools the body
Correct answer: Takes longer to digest and increases Kapha
Guru (heavy) foods require more digestive power, take longer to digest, and tend to increase Kapha dosha while nourishing and building body tissues.
Question 5: A patient with high Pitta presents with acid reflux and inflammation. Which dietary recommendation is MOST appropriate?
- Increase garlic and onion intake
- Favor cooling foods like cucumber, coconut, and coriander (Correct answer)
- Eat more fermented foods for gut health
- Increase protein with red meat
Correct answer: Favor cooling foods like cucumber, coconut, and coriander
Cooling, sweet, and bitter foods such as cucumber, coconut, and coriander pacify Pitta by countering its hot, sharp, and oily qualities.
Question 6: What is the Ayurvedic term for the post-digestive effect of food on the body's tissues?
- Virya
- Vipaka (Correct answer)
- Prabhava
- Rasa
Correct answer: Vipaka
Vipaka is the post-digestive effect of a food substance after it has been metabolized, ultimately influencing the doshas and tissues (dhatus).
Question 7: Which grain is considered the most sattvic and easiest to digest in Ayurveda?
- Corn
- White rice (especially basmati) (Correct answer)
- Wheat berries
- Brown rice
Correct answer: White rice (especially basmati)
Basmati white rice is considered the most sattvic grain in Ayurveda — it is light, easy to digest, nourishing, and balancing for all three doshas.
AP Ayurvedic Nutrition & Diet 2
Which taste (rasa) is considered most beneficial for Vata dosha in excess?