AP Ayurvedic Nutrition & Diet 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to Ayurvedic dietetics, which quality of food (guna) directly opposes the dry quality of Vata?
- Laghu (light)
- Snigdha (oily/unctuous) (Correct answer)
- Tikshna (sharp)
- Ruksha (dry)
Correct answer: Snigdha (oily/unctuous)
Snigdha (oily or unctuous) quality directly counteracts Vata's ruksha (dry) quality, which is a core principle of Ayurvedic dietary treatment.
Question 2: A Kapha-predominant individual should generally avoid which type of food?
- Bitter leafy greens
- Heavy, cold, and sweet foods (Correct answer)
- Pungent spices
- Light, dry, and warm foods
Correct answer: Heavy, cold, and sweet foods
Heavy, cold, and sweet foods increase Kapha's already heavy, cold, and moist qualities and should be avoided by Kapha-predominant individuals.
Question 3: Which Ayurvedic concept explains that the six tastes must all be present in a balanced meal?
- Ahara vidhi visheshayatana
- Shadrasatmaka ahara (Correct answer)
- Viruddha ahara
- Pathya kalpana
Correct answer: Shadrasatmaka ahara
Shadrasatmaka ahara (diet containing all six tastes) ensures complete nutrition by providing all the rasa-based qualities the body requires for balanced doshic function.
Question 4: In Ayurveda, which season typically increases Pitta dosha and requires dietary modification?
- Winter (Shishira)
- Late summer/early fall (Sharad) (Correct answer)
- Early spring (Vasanta)
- Late spring (Grishma)
Correct answer: Late summer/early fall (Sharad)
Sharad ritu (autumn) is when accumulated Pitta from the summer heat is released and aggravated, requiring a Pitta-pacifying diet with cooling, sweet, and bitter foods.
Question 5: Honey (madhu) in Ayurveda is considered contraindicated when used in which condition?
- Vata disorders
- When heated or mixed into hot foods or beverages (Correct answer)
- With bitter greens
- In early morning on an empty stomach
Correct answer: When heated or mixed into hot foods or beverages
Heated honey is considered toxic in Ayurveda because heating changes its molecular structure, creating ama (undigested toxins) that are difficult to eliminate from the body.
Question 6: Which Ayurvedic concept refers to the specific, unexplainable action of a substance that overrides its expected rasa and virya effects?
- Vipaka
- Prabhava (Correct answer)
- Karma
- Guna
Correct answer: Prabhava
Prabhava is the specific potency or unique action of a substance that cannot be explained by its rasa, virya, or vipaka — it is considered the most powerful action.
Question 7: According to Ayurvedic dietary principles, what is the recommended practice regarding eating frequency?
- Eat six small meals throughout the day
- Eat two to three meals allowing full digestion between meals (Correct answer)
- Fast every other day to cleanse agni
- Eat only when emotionally calm, regardless of timing
Correct answer: Eat two to three meals allowing full digestion between meals
Ayurveda recommends eating two to three meals daily, allowing the previous meal to fully digest before eating again to maintain strong agni and prevent ama formation.
AP Ayurvedic Nutrition & Diet 3
According to Ayurvedic dietetics, which quality of food (guna) directly opposes the dry quality of Vata?