It may come as a surprise to many, but Ayurveda does not tell you to be vegetarian or vegan. It doesn’t shy away from using meat — either as food or as medicine. Nor does it strictly prohibit onions or garlic. And of course, dairy is a major part of the Ayurvedic diet and pharmacopeia.
As always in Ayurveda, it depends: Who is eating it, and for what purpose? Are you pursuing a spiritual path? Does the food trouble your digestion? Do you dislike the taste? Or do you simply not want to harm an animal—whether a fish, chicken, or cow? In Ayurveda, these choices are always considered on an individual basis, depending on one’s agni (digestive fire) and ama (toxicity). [See blogs on Agni and Milk].
There are pros and cons on both sides. If there’s no health issue, and someone enjoys the taste — or even needs the protein — then meat can be beneficial.
One of the first challenges people face when giving up meat—especially if it’s done suddenly and without adequate vegetarian protein—is the risk of muscle loss and nutrient deficiencies. If the shift isn’t made mindfully, protein and essential nutrients can easily fall short. This is particularly challenging for vegans, who don’t have the option of dairy protein and must rely mainly on soy, seeds, and nuts.
Now, this sounds good in theory, but here’s the problem:
I speak from experience.
I once went overboard in India with hot milk cooked in four different seeds, almonds, and poppy seeds. Result? My cholesterol went off the charts. That’s when I learned — to digest that kind of richness, either I should’ve exercised more or eaten in moderation.
This is a classic example of Pragnyaparadha — an Ayurvedic concept meaning “mistake of the intellect” — when you knowingly do something that you know isn’t right. (More on that in another blog/video!)
If you’ve eaten meat your entire life and suddenly stop, it can shock your body. In Ayurveda, we call this Satmya — the idea that your body adapts to what you’re used to. Just because something is not “ideal” doesn’t mean your body can’t handle it — it may have adapted beautifully over time.
That’s why weaning off gradually is key. Just like Ayurveda recommends slow transitions between seasons (Ritusandhi), dietary changes should be slow and conscious.
Suddenly everyone is “lactose intolerant” — but strangely, many can still eat pizza or ice cream just fine. Now, yes — there are genuinely lactose-intolerant people, and for them even cheese or ice cream can be a problem.
But for the majority, the issue is weak digestion — poor agni. It’s not that you’ve become intolerant overnight. You’ve just lost the strength to digest heavy foods like dairy and gluten. Again, this needs its own deep dive in another post.
People with a Vata predominance often have trouble digesting legumes and pulses. So if they eliminate dairy and meat, they’re left with very limited options for protein. Ironically, these are also the people most likely to switch to raw salads and smoothies — which further aggravates Vata, leading to dryness, weakness, and nerve issues.
In Ayurveda, we have special nourishing and strengthening protocols for such cases — and yes, some of them include meat. Either taken internally as part of a herbal formulation or used externally in bolus therapies for degenerative conditions.
There’s a growing narrative — especially in the West — that Ayurveda tells you to stop eating onions and garlic. This is simply not true.
Both ingredients are commonly used in Ayurvedic preparations. Garlic is a powerful remedy for Vata-related issues, but because it is heating, it should be used cautiously in people with high Pitta. The same applies to onion, which features in many Ayurvedic remedies—from simple home treatments for sore throat to pain-relieving oil.
Now, let’s talk about the spiritual side.
People often give up meat, onion, and garlic as they move toward a more spiritual lifestyle. This is because:
But here’s the catch: this is only a concern if eaten in excess, and only if there’s an underlying imbalance (like high Pitta or Kapha).
Still, if your goal is to live a meditative, sattvic life — it makes sense to reduce these foods. If you’re renouncing worldly life altogether, you may eliminate them entirely. Renunciates can manage without these because of their intense meditation, clean environments, and sattvic practices. But for most of us living in cities, with stress and noise and hustle — we need a little bit of everything, in moderation.
The problem begins when we swing to extremes — quitting everything overnight or overloading on just one food group.
One of my friends jokes with me whenever I don’t eat meat. He says, “Look at vegetarian animals — elephants, rhinos, whales. They’re huge and aggressive. Meat-eating animals kill only when hungry. You’ll turn into a vegetarian animal!”
Now, obviously, that’s just playful banter — but it brings up an interesting point. There’s no need to go crazy quitting meat or dairy or garlic just because someone told you Ayurveda says so. It’s not that black and white.
Yes, spirituality becomes easier on a sattvic diet. But first and foremost — you have to take care of your health. If your body needs certain foods, have them. You cannot build spirituality on a weak, undernourished body.
Even sattvic foods will not give you sustainable energy unless you have sattvic thoughts, a sattvic lifestyle, and a strong digestive fire. Until then — use the resources nature has given you, wisely.
Ayurveda is not about rules — it’s about wisdom. It meets you where you are and helps you grow from there. Be kind to your body, be practical, and walk the middle path.
Let’s stop the blame game. And let’s bring some balance back to our plates — and our minds.
Simmi Chopra is a highly accomplished Ayurvedic Practitioner with a unique blend of expertise in traditional Ayurveda and modern science. Trained in the ancient healing system, she completed the prestigious Ayurveda Doctor program from Kerala Ayurveda. Based in New York City, Simmi practices at SIDH Ayur, where she offers personalized Ayurvedic therapies, dietary guidance, lifestyle recommendations, and herbal solutions to help clients achieve holistic balance.
Source: Seema – Ayurveda Demystified: Why No Food Is Strictly Off-Limits
