Protein literally builds us but, in Ayurveda, the amount and type of protein you need varies with your constitution or Mind & Body Type. Here are a few guidelines for how much and what type you need to eat based on your type. If you don’t know which one you are, take the quiz here

AIR MIND-BODY TYPES

[people who tend to be lighter and easily experience restlessness, anxiety, constipation, dry skin and insomnia]

Needs & best protein source:

🌼 They need more protein in general, although made from small quantities in more frequent meals.

🌼 Milk products

🌼 Eggs

🌼 Grains (more white than wholegrain)

🌼 Nuts and seeds

🌼 Certain legumes. Cooked with spices and oils to calm their Air aggravating nature. The best legumes for vata are mung, tur dal and urad dal. In moderation, red lentils and soya.

🌼 Some meat: Goat is easiest to digest and nourishing.

🌼 Meat should be well-cooked, ideally in soups or stews.

🌼 Some fish

* AIR-predominant people need to be very careful if following a vegan diet as it often doesn’t have the heaviness and moistness which they need. Good effort will need to be made to find these qualities in the vegan repertoire.

FIRE MIND-BODY TYPES

[people who have strong digestion, and easily tend to experience inflammation, redness, heartburn, anger and intensity]

Needs & best protein source:

🔥 Need a medium level of protein

🔥 Milk products

🔥 Most legumes

🔥 Grains (a good mix of white and wholegrain)

🔥 Almonds

🔥 Seeds

🔥 Meat in moderation, only if digestion is strong and demanding. White meats or venison only

🔥 A little fresh water fish

EARTH MIND-BODY TYPES

[people who easily tend to heaviness, allergies, congestion and lethargy]

Needs & best protein source:

🌱 A lower level of protein mainly derived from plant proteins

🌱 Most legumes

🌱 Grains (mainly whole grains)

🌱 Eggs

🌱 Seeds in moderation

🌱 Goats milk products in moderation

🌱 A little fresh water fish

🌱 Very little meat. White meat or venison only but generally best avoided