College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC FOODS

Fish Benefits (According to Ayurveda)


How Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Fish is lighter than poultry or meat. Although all meat is considered heavy and tamasic, we are labeling fish as sattvic relative to poultry and red meat.

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  • SERVING SIZE: 1/4 lbs
  • PREPARATION: SOUP
  • EAT IN: SUMMER

Is Fish Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Fish' is a good fit. Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.

AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT

Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances. With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you. Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature. By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health. See How it Works.

Metabolic Nature of Fish

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

Find Out More

EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY

HEAVY

ABOUT HEAVY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HEAVY

GOOEY

ABOUT GOOEY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Gooey is identified by anything gelatinous (such as oatmeal), or by mucus congestion.

LEARN MORE ABOUT GOOEY

OILY

ABOUT OILY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

In Ayurveda, oily refers to anything moistening. More specifically, oily refers to building substances that increases fat, or are themselves fatty. For example, sugar is Oily.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OILY

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

Find Out More

SWEET

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Kapha aggravating

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

AGGRAVATES
PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

Other

Fat

MILD FAT

Fat tissue (Meda Dhatu) includes adipose tissue and sebum (skin oil).

SEE ALL 'FAT' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Fish
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Nutritive

NUTRITIVE

An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.

SEE ALL 'NUTRITIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Raises Thyroid

RAISES-THYROID

An herb that increases thyroid function.

SEE ALL 'RAISES-THYROID' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:

Foods with a Similar Nature to Fish

  • Hazelnut

    Hazelnut has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Raises-thyroid

    LEARN MORE

  • Macadamia Nuts

    Macadamia Nuts has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Raises-thyroid

    LEARN MORE

  • Homemade Yogurt

    Homemade Yogurt has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Raises-thyroid

    LEARN MORE

  • Brazil Nut

    Brazil Nut has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Raises-thyroid

    LEARN MORE

  • Yogurt

    Yogurt has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Raises-thyroid

    LEARN MORE

  • Kelp

    Kelp has these Actions in Common

    Raises-thyroid, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Seaweed (Hydrated)

    Seaweed (Hydrated) has these Actions in Common

    Raises-thyroid, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Shrimp

    Shrimp has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Raises-thyroid

    LEARN MORE

  • Coconut Cream

    Coconut Cream has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Raises-thyroid

    LEARN MORE

  • Coconut Butter

    Coconut Butter has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Raises-thyroid

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Fish

  • Saw Palmetto

    Saw Palmetto has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Raises-thyroid

    LEARN MORE

  • Cordyceps

    Cordyceps has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Chitrak

    Chitrak has these Actions in Common

    Raises-thyroid

    LEARN MORE

  • Asparagus root

    Asparagus root has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Sukumaram Ghrita

    Sukumaram Ghrita has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Slippery Elm

    Slippery Elm has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Sea buckthorn

    Sea buckthorn has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Vitamin D

    Vitamin D has these Actions in Common

    Raises-thyroid

    LEARN MORE

  • Kanchanar Guggulu

    Kanchanar Guggulu has these Actions in Common

    Raises-thyroid

    LEARN MORE

  • Zinc

    Zinc has these Actions in Common

    Raises-thyroid

    LEARN MORE

  • Bee Breath (Bhramari Pranayama)

    Bee Breath (Bhramari Pranayama) has these Actions in Common

    Raises-thyroid

    LEARN MORE

Fish Impact Report

The reports shared below are part of an educational assignment completed by students at the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda. These represent subjective experiences intended to help students explore principles of Ayurveda through personal observation. In each report below, students ate the selected food for 3 days and self-reported these effects. See other food & herb reports at Joyful Belly.

TEMPERATURE/CIRCULATION

How did Tuna affect your temperature?

20
16
12
8
4
0
1
3
16
4
2
Much colderSlightly colderSameSlightly warmerMuch warmer
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect your sweat quantity?

25
20
15
10
5
0
1
3
21
1
0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect the color of your tongue body?

20
16
12
8
4
0
7
5
0
14
PalerRedderBluerNo Change
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect your appetite/hunger?

10
8
6
4
2
0
7
9
4
5
1
Much less hungrySlightly less hungrySameSlightly hungrierMuch hungrier
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect your digestion speed?

15
12
9
6
3
0
1
3
10
11
1
Much fasterSlightly fasterSameSlightly slowerMuch slower
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

TOXINS

How did Tuna affect the amount of gas & bloating?

20
16
12
8
4
0
2
5
14
4
1
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect your stool smell?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
1
14
9
2
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

Tongue: How did Tuna affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?

15
12
9
6
3
0
1
6
11
8
0
Much smallerSlightly lessSameSlightly larger coatingMuch larger
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect the color of your tongue coating?

20
16
12
8
4
0
1
0
2
7
16
YellowerBrownerGrayerWhiterNo Change
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect your urine smell?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
0
17
7
2
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?

20
16
12
8
4
0
1
3
18
4
0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMany more
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect your sweat smell?

25
20
15
10
5
0
1
1
20
3
1
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

HYDRATION

How did Tuna affect your urine frequency/quantity?

20
16
12
8
4
0
1
4
18
3
0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect the cracks on your tongue?

25
20
15
10
5
0
0
2
19
5
0
Larger/longer/more cracksSlightly moreSameSlightly less/smaller/shorterMuch less
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

NERVOUS-SYSTEM

How did Tuna affect your energy levels?

15
12
9
6
3
0
1
3
10
12
0
Much less energySlightly lessSameSlightly more energyMuch more
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect your muscle tension?

15
12
9
6
3
0
0
5
13
7
1
Much less tensionSlightly lessSameSlightly more tensionMuch more
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect your anxiety?

15
12
9
6
3
0
1
5
12
7
1
Much less anxietySlightly lessSameSlightly more anxietyMuch more
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect the stillness of your tongue?

20
16
12
8
4
0
9
16
1
More stillNo ChangeMore Trembling / Jittery
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

DIGESTION

How did Tuna affect your digestion speed?

15
12
9
6
3
0
1
3
10
11
1
Much fasterSlightly fasterSameSlightly slowerMuch slower
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect the amount of gas & bloating?

20
16
12
8
4
0
2
5
14
4
1
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect your appetite/hunger?

10
8
6
4
2
0
7
9
4
5
1
Much less hungrySlightly less hungrySameSlightly hungrierMuch hungrier
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

TONGUE

How did Tuna affect the color of your tongue body?

20
16
12
8
4
0
7
5
0
14
PalerRedderBluerNo Change
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect the stillness of your tongue?

20
16
12
8
4
0
9
16
1
More stillNo ChangeMore Trembling / Jittery
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect the color of your tongue coating?

20
16
12
8
4
0
1
0
2
7
16
YellowerBrownerGrayerWhiterNo Change
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect the cracks on your tongue?

25
20
15
10
5
0
0
2
19
5
0
Larger/longer/more cracksSlightly moreSameSlightly less/smaller/shorterMuch less
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

Tongue: How did Tuna affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?

15
12
9
6
3
0
1
6
11
8
0
Much smallerSlightly lessSameSlightly larger coatingMuch larger
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

STOOL

How did Tuna affect your stool lightness?

20
16
12
8
4
0
1
5
14
5
1
Much lighterSlightly lighterSameSlightly darkerMuch darker
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect your stool smell?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
1
14
9
2
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect your stool consistency?

15
12
9
6
3
0
2
5
10
9
0
Much softerSlightly softerSameSlightly harderMuch harder
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect your stool frequency/quantity?

15
12
9
6
3
0
1
6
13
6
0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect your stool color?

20
16
12
8
4
0
3
3
0
2
18
More yellowMore grayMore greenMore orangeSame
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

URINE

How did Tuna affect your urine clarity?

22
18
14
10
6
2
4
19
3
More cloudySameMore clear
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect your urine smell?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
0
17
7
2
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect your urine lightness?

20
16
12
8
4
0
0
6
15
5
0
Much lighterSlightly lighterSameSlightly DarkerMuch Darker
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect your urine frequency/quantity?

20
16
12
8
4
0
1
4
18
3
0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?

20
16
12
8
4
0
1
3
18
4
0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMany more
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

SWEAT

How did Tuna affect your sweat quantity?

25
20
15
10
5
0
1
3
21
1
0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect your sweat smell?

25
20
15
10
5
0
1
1
20
3
1
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

SYSTEMIC

How did Tuna affect your energy levels?

15
12
9
6
3
0
1
3
10
12
0
Much less energySlightly lessSameSlightly more energyMuch more
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect your muscle tension?

15
12
9
6
3
0
0
5
13
7
1
Much less tensionSlightly lessSameSlightly more tensionMuch more
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect your anxiety?

15
12
9
6
3
0
1
5
12
7
1
Much less anxietySlightly lessSameSlightly more anxietyMuch more
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

How did Tuna affect your temperature?

20
16
12
8
4
0
1
3
16
4
2
Much colderSlightly colderSameSlightly warmerMuch warmer
Total Responses: 26 REPORT ID:38 (2020-12-09 - 2021-01-08)

Note: These exercises are not part of an FDA-regulated study, and were not designed or conducted under a clinical research protocol. They are neither investigational in nature nor scientific findings. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. They are experiential assignments rooted in traditional Ayurvedic education, intended solely for instructional use. No conclusions should be drawn regarding the therapeutic effects of any food, herb, or dietary substance based on these student reflections.


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Fish may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any food for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Fish may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Fish. Please see your health care provider for more information.

View other ingredients
for Summer

Fish is recommended for Summer. Check out these other Summer foods here.
VIEW ALL SUMMER FOODS MORE FOODS FOR VATA / PITTA MAIN INGREDIENT PAGE

HOW DOES EATING AYURVEDICALLY MAKE YOU FEEL?

Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. Food digests with ease when right for your body type (dosha). Healthy digestion is seen as the cornerstone of well-being in Ayurveda. Healthy digestion generally prevents illness. If you do get sick, a strong digestive fire reduces the severity of illness and increases your resilience. It also improves your mood. Once you begin eating Ayurvedically, you will feel refreshed, vital and strong.
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About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy, & botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. John, his wife Natalie and their 7 kids live in Asheville, NC

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