Shifting diet into fall—an Ayurvedic view

September, Indian Summer, a hint of chill in the air, shortening daylight and the midday sun doesn’t seem as bright… gardens grow “leggy” and we watch frost warnings…

While some of us wish summer could last forever, with each new season the winds of change bring new beginnings: New projects. School starts back up. Work is back in full swing. It’s time to enjoy the fall with a walk through the apple orchard. Whereas summer tends to be a dispersed season, fall marks a time of coming together around home and hearth.

Psychology of September

The Ayurvedic view is fall brings new reverence for the familiar, nostalgia, and to re-establishing routines. In fact, resisting this pull may leave you feeling anxious and scattered. We have ancient wiring that cycles daily and also with the seasons. By respecting that, we maintain balance in organs and systems. Fall is a practical time; a time stockpile before the long, hard winter. Healthwise, supporting your body starting in September is vital for strong immunity and resilience all winter long.

Fall is a vata season—routines for the Body:

As September days become erratic, sometimes windy sometimes subtle, and clear; cooler, dryer, qualities share with the Ayurvedic vata dosha which can become dominant. Vata is considered an air element—dry, mobile, light.

Sleep: Evenings are significantly cooler. Mornings are chilly. Anticipate the drop in temperature: Bring warmer layers of clothing to cover those sandals, shorts, and t-shirts we still want to don during the last days of our warm sun. Add a blanket to your bedding. Asking your body to generate heat later in the day or while you sleep can leave you tossing and turning, sleepless.

Hydration: With the humidity gone, unless adequately hydrated your digestion can weaken. Dehydration can lead to weak appetite, gas and bloating. As the days cool, you may not feel as thirsty; do create a good hydration routine. Normally, the cooler temperatures make for a robust appetite and strong digestion.

Caffeine aggravates vata; use it judiciously. Switch to Licorice Root or Milk Thistle herbal teas to support your adrenal glands and liver. Or make your own Invigorating Ginger Root tea from the fresh root.

If your mouth seems dry despite drinking the right amount of water (usually at least 8 full cups), try a glass of warm water with a pinch of salt and a wedge of lime. Alternatively, almond milk is a nourishing way to hydrate your body during a 3pm slump.

Bowel movements: fall dryness, especially if not well hydrated, make constipation a common complaint in the fall. This can contribute to moods and especially anxiety or “feeling scatterbrained”. Listen to any warning signs of gas, dryer, darker stools and handle these to stay healthy and prevent bigger illnesses from surfacing. Remember please that if your bowels are not eliminating daily then your body is reabsorbing toxicity. Adequate fats, salt, fluids and the sour taste can help keep digestion strong and elimination regular.

Weight: It can be challenging not to add weight in the fall, much less lose any extra weight. We still have our ancient hard-wire to begin building an insulating layer of fat before the temperatures plummet. And… the vata climate can elevate cravings for sweets.

To calm vata, emphasize warm, cooked foods. This is not the time of year for a raw cleanse. Look at what’s in season in your area and cook those foods with plenty of high-quality oils (olive oil, ghee from grass-fed animals).

Make a list of healthy “comfort foods”—particularly any from your childhood. Granted, too many of us (sorry, mom and dad) ate a lot of pre-packaged food out of a microwave or pizza delivery. What whole food casseroles, soups and/or baked veggies do you like? Head to http://OurNutritionKitchen.com for ideas and recipe makeovers like:

Roasted root veggies

Sour taste like Poached Fish Chimichurri or Tangy Alaska Halibut

Any and all of these soups and casseroles

And, of course, putting up home-made cultured foods aligns with the start of fall.

Skin: Because your body is storing fat—and most of us still avoid it—your blood becomes depleted of fats, aggravating Vata symptoms of dryness, putting stress on your liver and kidneys. Your kidney/liver relationship can further imbalance dehydration and contribute to an anxious and spacey mind.

Not only that, your liver and kidneys both have a role in activating vitamin D. Hopefully, while it was warm enough and the sun high enough, you enjoyed some mid-day sun. If you did, then you may have stored enough vitamin D in your fat to draw on for a few months. Low vitamin D means you cannot absorb calcium so your body will take it from your bones, slows your immune system so you get sick more often, affects moods—especially depression, and slows healing.

September is the last hurrah of the outdoor season and a pivotal month, in that it sets the tone for your body’s endurance through winter. Now is a great time to get back on track with your Nutrition Response Testing and Functional Nutrition programs. Let me know if I can help.

Yours in health,