GRITSHealth Benefits & Uses |
Take your body type quiz to see how Grits affects you
Match foods that have helped me.SERVING SIZE: 1/4 c
ABOUT GRITS
Most likely named after the texture of road grit, grits are simply a course grinding of corn. Corn flour is finely ground and corn meal somewhere in between.
COOKING GRITS
 Browse Recipes
It takes about 10 minutes to cook a grit!
Learn about the health benefits of Grits for FREE
You'll receive free access to our entire website including
healthy recipes,
nutritional diet plans,
medicinal uses of ingredients,
& ayurvedic health tips.
Sign in once and you can use our website indefinitely..
WHY EAT AN AYURVEDIC DIET?
Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. An Ayurvedic diet is
tailored to your individual body type and the specific imbalances you are working with
at any given time. Ayurveda shows you your specific body type’s needs and what
should be favored in your Ayurvedic menu. Watch as you eat less but feel more satisfied because what you
are eating truly nourishes you. Since Ayurveda believes all disease begins in the digestive
tract, food is your first medicine. By eating a healthy diet that’s ideal for your body, you
experience optimal health.
LEARN MORE
Are Grits Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?
Find out by taking this free, easy quiz.
You'll learn your body type, and whether Grits is a good fit for you. Time to complete: approximately 1 minute.
AYURVEDIC MEDICINAL BIOCHARACTERISTICS
What is the biocharacteristic theory of medicine?
INCREASES
Increases These Biocharacteristics (Gunas)
Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics
(gunas).
Aggravating these characteristics weakens your body and causes imbalance.
By knowing which characteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct imbalances before you get sick.
Every characteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold).
You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite characteristic.
Learn More
| DIFFICULT ![Difficult]( "Difficult") ABOUT DIFFICULT BIOCHARACTERISTIC
Difficult refers to anything that is difficult to digest, or takes a long time to digest.
LEARN MORE ABOUT DIFFICULT DRY ![Dry]( "Dry") ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC
Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.
LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY HOT ![Hot]( "Hot") ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC
Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT | 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?
Learn More
| SWEET ![Sweet]( "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
According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine,
people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and imbalances that are unique to the person.
Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness.
Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency.
Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses.
The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history.
The 3 functional body types
(doshas),
are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy.
Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy.
Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass.
Catabolic people tend to be easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry.
Metabolic people tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed.
Anabolic people are heavy, stable and grounded, but if they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion.
Learn More
| | HAS THE FOLLOWING | EFFECT:
, Ojas OJAS
Ojas is the essence of healthy tissue, immunity, stable energy and happiness. Substances that improve ojas are recommended after long-term illness, debility, emotional and physical trauma, and even sadness.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OJAS , Rajasic RAJASIC
Rajasic foods stimulate desire or nervous energy. Red meat, high protein food, garlic and onions stimulate desire. Rajasic foods include chili peppers, coffee, and anything that stimulates movement.
LEARN MORE ABOUT RAJASIC
TYPE:
Grains
CONTAINS:
Allergens, Corn
ELEMENT:
,
NUTRIENT:
Carbohydrate
NOURISHES:
|
MEDICINAL PROPERTIESExperiences 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. Here are the herbal actions of Grits:
Energy Vitality Strength: Kidney & Urinary: Diuretic DIURETIC
Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.
LEARN MORE ABOUT DIURETIC Grits Research & Clinical Trials
In each clinical research trial below, students from the
Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda ate the selected food for 3 days and reported the pharmacological effects.
TEMPERATURE/CIRCULATION
How did Grits affect your temperature?
0
|
1
|
8
|
17
|
2
| | Much colder | Slightly colder | Same | Slightly warmer | Much warmer |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your ear temperature?
3
|
25
|
0
| | Hotter | No Change | Cooler |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your sweat quantity?
0
|
2
|
18
|
8
|
0
| | Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the color of your skin?
0
|
0
|
6
|
1
|
21
| | Yellower/Greener | Paler | Redder | Grayer | No Change |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the color of your tongue body?
4
|
11
|
0
|
13
| | Paler | Redder | Bluer | No Change |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the swelling of your tongue body?
6
|
1
|
21
| | More Swelling | Less Swelling | No Change |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your appetite/hunger?
12
|
9
|
3
|
4
|
0
| | Much less hungry | Slightly less hungry | Same | Slightly hungrier | Much hungrier |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your digestion speed?
0
|
2
|
9
|
14
|
3
| | Much faster | Slightly faster | Same | Slightly slower | Much slower |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)TOXINS
How did Grits affect the amount of gas & bloating?
2
|
2
|
10
|
12
|
2
| | Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your stool smell?
1
|
1
|
14
|
12
|
0
| | Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)Tongue: How did Grits affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?
1
|
6
|
9
|
12
|
0
| | Much smaller | Slightly less | Same | Slightly larger coating | Much larger |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the color of your tongue coating?
2
|
1
|
2
|
10
|
13
| | Yellower | Browner | Grayer | Whiter | No Change |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your throat soreness?
0
|
26
|
2
| | More sore | No Change | Less sore |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your urine smell?
1
|
1
|
22
|
3
|
1
| | Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
0
|
1
|
26
|
1
|
0
| | Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Many more |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your sweat smell?
0
|
2
|
22
|
3
|
1
| | Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your acne?
1
|
27
|
0
| | More acne | No Change | Less acne |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your freckles/moles?
0
|
28
|
0
| | Darker | No Change | Lighter |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the color of your sclera (white part of eye)?
3
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
1
| | Redder/Bloodshot | Yellower | Grayer | Browner | Whiter |
23
| | No Change |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the color of the lower eye lid?
0
|
1
|
27
|
0
| | More green/dark green | More purple | No Change | Less green/purple |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)HYDRATION
How did Grits affect your urine frequency/quantity?
0
|
4
|
18
|
5
|
1
| | Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the dryness of your skin?
10
|
2
|
16
| | Drier | Oilier | No Change |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the puffiness of lower eye lid?
4
|
22
|
2
| | Puffier | No Change | Less Puffy |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the cracks on your tongue?
1
|
9
|
14
|
3
|
1
| | Larger/longer/more cracks | Slightly more | Same | Slightly less/smaller/shorter | Much less |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)FLUID-THICKNESS
How did Grits affect your ear pressure?
1
|
27
|
0
| | More pressure | No Change | Less pressure |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your congestion?
2
|
21
|
5
| | More congestion | No Change | Less congestion |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the thickness of your mucous congestion?
4
|
18
|
6
| | More thick | No Change | Less thick |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)NERVOUS-SYSTEM
How did Grits affect your energy levels?
0
|
8
|
8
|
11
|
1
| | Much less energy | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more energy | Much more |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your muscle tension?
1
|
5
|
16
|
6
|
0
| | Much less tension | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more tension | Much more |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your anxiety?
3
|
6
|
14
|
5
|
0
| | Much less anxiety | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more anxiety | Much more |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the stillness of your tongue?
6
|
18
|
4
| | More still | No Change | More Trembling / Jittery |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)DIGESTION
How did Grits affect your digestion speed?
0
|
2
|
9
|
14
|
3
| | Much faster | Slightly faster | Same | Slightly slower | Much slower |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the amount of gas & bloating?
2
|
2
|
10
|
12
|
2
| | Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect burning sensations in digestive tract (do not include acid reflux)?
1
|
1
|
19
|
7
|
0
| | Much relief | Slight relief | Same | Slightly more burning | Much more burning |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your appetite/hunger?
12
|
9
|
3
|
4
|
0
| | Much less hungry | Slightly less hungry | Same | Slightly hungrier | Much hungrier |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)TONGUE
How did Grits affect the swelling of your tongue body?
6
|
1
|
21
| | More Swelling | Less Swelling | No Change |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the color of your tongue body?
4
|
11
|
0
|
13
| | Paler | Redder | Bluer | No Change |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the stillness of your tongue?
6
|
18
|
4
| | More still | No Change | More Trembling / Jittery |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the color of your tongue coating?
2
|
1
|
2
|
10
|
13
| | Yellower | Browner | Grayer | Whiter | No Change |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the cracks on your tongue?
1
|
9
|
14
|
3
|
1
| | Larger/longer/more cracks | Slightly more | Same | Slightly less/smaller/shorter | Much less |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)Tongue: How did Grits affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?
1
|
6
|
9
|
12
|
0
| | Much smaller | Slightly less | Same | Slightly larger coating | Much larger |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)STOOL
How did Grits affect your stool lightness?
0
|
2
|
19
|
5
|
2
| | Much lighter | Slightly lighter | Same | Slightly darker | Much darker |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your stool smell?
1
|
1
|
14
|
12
|
0
| | Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your stool consistency?
0
|
9
|
6
|
12
|
1
| | Much softer | Slightly softer | Same | Slightly harder | Much harder |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your stool frequency/quantity?
3
|
10
|
9
|
4
|
2
| | Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your stool color?
4
|
2
|
1
|
3
|
18
| | More yellow | More gray | More green | More orange | Same |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)URINE
How did Grits affect your urine clarity?
1
|
24
|
3
| | More cloudy | Same | More clear |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your urine smell?
1
|
1
|
22
|
3
|
1
| | Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your urine lightness?
0
|
1
|
24
|
3
|
0
| | Much lighter | Slightly lighter | Same | Slightly Darker | Much Darker |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your urine frequency/quantity?
0
|
4
|
18
|
5
|
1
| | Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
0
|
1
|
26
|
1
|
0
| | Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Many more |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)SWEAT
How did Grits affect your sweat quantity?
0
|
2
|
18
|
8
|
0
| | Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your sweat smell?
0
|
2
|
22
|
3
|
1
| | Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)SKIN
How did Grits affect your acne?
1
|
27
|
0
| | More acne | No Change | Less acne |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the dryness of your skin?
10
|
2
|
16
| | Drier | Oilier | No Change |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the color of your skin?
0
|
0
|
6
|
1
|
21
| | Yellower/Greener | Paler | Redder | Grayer | No Change |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your freckles/moles?
0
|
28
|
0
| | Darker | No Change | Lighter |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)EYE
How did Grits affect the color of the lower eye lid?
0
|
1
|
27
|
0
| | More green/dark green | More purple | No Change | Less green/purple |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the puffiness of lower eye lid?
4
|
22
|
2
| | Puffier | No Change | Less Puffy |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the color of your sclera (white part of eye)?
3
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
1
| | Redder/Bloodshot | Yellower | Grayer | Browner | Whiter |
23
| | No Change |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)ENT
How did Grits affect your ear temperature?
3
|
25
|
0
| | Hotter | No Change | Cooler |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your congestion?
2
|
21
|
5
| | More congestion | No Change | Less congestion |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your ear pressure?
1
|
27
|
0
| | More pressure | No Change | Less pressure |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your throat soreness?
0
|
26
|
2
| | More sore | No Change | Less sore |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect the thickness of your mucous congestion?
4
|
18
|
6
| | More thick | No Change | Less thick |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)SYSTEMIC
How did Grits affect your energy levels?
0
|
8
|
8
|
11
|
1
| | Much less energy | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more energy | Much more |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your muscle tension?
1
|
5
|
16
|
6
|
0
| | Much less tension | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more tension | Much more |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your anxiety?
3
|
6
|
14
|
5
|
0
| | Much less anxiety | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more anxiety | Much more |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your temperature?
0
|
1
|
8
|
17
|
2
| | Much colder | Slightly colder | Same | Slightly warmer | Much warmer |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)HEART
How did Grits affect your heart pain/pressure/cramping?
1
|
0
|
24
|
3
|
0
| | Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your heart rate?
0
|
1
|
23
|
4
|
0
| | Much slower | Slightly slower | Same | Slightly faster | Much faster |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)How did Grits affect your heart rhythm?
2
|
25
|
1
| | More palpitations | Same | Less palpitations |
Total Responses: 28 Study ID:53 (2021-05-18 - 2021-06-01)
HEALTH & WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS!
Are you looking to build diet and meal plans for your clients?
We've got a ton of resources for you to check out below!
(Not you? Keep scrolling!)
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.
Comments & Impressions of 'Grits'
Do you like 'grits'?
Why or why not?
What makes it unique? Is there something you'd like to know about 'grits'?
66 likes
 Sign in to review this food
![About John Joseph Immel]()
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 exudes a certain ease, which many find enjoyable and insightful.
John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda
, which specializes in digestive tract pathology & Ayurvedic nutrition.
John and his wife Natalie recently published Explore Your Hunger: A Guide to Hunger, Appetite & Food.
John's interest in Ayurveda and digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, including his public service work in South Asia.
John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion.
John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing.
In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots,
and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church.
Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick.
That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well.
Read more
|
Food
Create Your Diet
Recent Articles (Blog)
REVIEW INGREDIENT
SAVE IT
PRINT PAGE
On MeWe
On Pinterest
On WhatsApp
On Email
On Facebook
On Twitter
COMPARE IT
