Hello Thanks for your thoughtful question. You’re really tuning in to the right Ayurvedic ideas for Vata types, especially when you’re aiming to gain weight and improve digestion.
YOUR CONCERN
Your prakriti is Vata dominant, you’re underweight, your digestion handles dairy well, and you want to know how yoghurt, raita, and lassi fit into your meals—especially at lunch and in hot weather.
Here’s what you need to know:
YOGHURT (Dadhi)
Yoghurt is heavy, sour, and heating. For Vata people, that means you need to be careful with it. But if you use it right, it can actually help you gain weight and nourish your tissues.
👉The trick: – eat it only at lunch, when your digestive fire (Agni) is strongest. – Never have it at night or early in the morning. And keep the quantity small—just 1–2 teaspoons with your lunch does the job. –That small amount gives you nourishment without making things too heavy, and your midday digestion can handle it easily. – This helps support healthy weight gain and builds strength gently.
RAITA
–Raita is a bit more nuanced. It can be good for you if you make it right. –That means using fresh, well-churned yoghurt, spiced with roasted cumin, a pinch of dry ginger or black pepper, and rock salt. –Add in some cooked veggies like lauki or pumpkin, and you’re set.
❌But skip raw onion, cold or very sour yoghurt, and don’t go overboard with the quantity. Raita should act as a little digestive boost, not a main dish.
LASSI If you’re choosing between yoghurt and lassi, go with lassi—especially in hot weather. It’s lighter, easier to digest, and much more Vata-friendly.
SIMPLE LASSI RECEIPE –Take 1 part yoghurt, 2–3 parts water, churn it well, and add roasted cumin and a pinch of dry ginger. –Drink it after lunch. –It cools, helps digestion, prevents bloating, and supports gentle weight gain without creating toxins (Ama).
❌Ayurvedic Don’ts Don’t eat plain yoghurt by itself. Never mix yoghurt with fruit, milk, or fish. Don’t eat yoghurt at night—this can cause toxins, sinus issues, or joint pain.
1–2 tsp yoghurt with lunch? Yes—best for gentle weight gain. Properly spiced raita? Yes, in small amounts. Lassi with cumin and ginger? Excellent, especially in summer. Yoghurt at night? No—avoid it.
You’re asking all the right questions. Both yoghurt and raita can help, but lassi is the safest and most effective for daily use in Vata types.
Warm wishes Dr Snehal Vidhate
In moderation YES
Time MID DAY MEAL Avoid AT NIGHT
Best form to take BUTTERMILK
Add CUMIN, CARROM SEED POWDER
Yes, yoghurt can be beneficial for Vata + underweight, but follow these rules: ✅ Best time to take curd ✅ Midday / Lunch only (best time) ❌ Avoid at night (can increase Ama + Kapha, blocks channels) ✅ Best form ✅ Raita / Takra / Lassi is better than plain curd. ✅ How to prepare (Ideal Vata curd) Take 2–4 tbsp curd Add roasted cumin + black salt + ginger Mix with water to make it thin ➡️ This becomes Takra (best Ayurvedic form) ❌ Avoid combining curd with Fruits (banana + curd not recommended) Fish/meat Milk Night-time intake ✅ Raita with lunch is a good combination, especially if spices are added.
Yes, for a Vata constitution, a small amount of yoghurt at midday (lunch) is acceptable and can help with weight gain and digestion. Best time Only at lunch, when digestive fire is strongest. Quantity 2–3 spoonfuls is enough. Avoid large amounts. Raita with meals Okay occasionally, but don’t take plain cold yoghurt. Always add spices like roasted cumin, ginger, black pepper, and a little salt. Avoid raita at night Lassi in hot weather Yes, good option Best lassi for Vata Diluted yoghurt + water Pinch of roasted cumin + dry ginger Avoid sour, thick, or very cold lassi.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL QUESTION AND I AM GLAD YOU FOUND THE EARLIER EXPLANATION HELPFUL THE SAME PRINCIPLES DO APPLY TO YOGHURT BUT WITH SOME IMPORTANT REFINEMENTS ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING YOUR VATA CONSTITUTION AND GOAL OF HEALTHY WEIGHT GAIN
IN AYURVEDA YOGHURT IS GURU SNIGDHA AND USHNA IN POTENCY SO IT CAN SUPPORT WEIGHT GAIN AND STRENGTH WHEN DIGESTED PROPERLY FOR VATA TYPES IT CAN BE BENEFICIAL IF TAKEN IN THE RIGHT FORM AT THE RIGHT TIME AND IN THE RIGHT QUANTITY MIDDAY IS THE BEST TIME TO TAKE YOGHURT BECAUSE AGNI IS STRONGEST AT THAT TIME AND YOU HAVE ALREADY MENTIONED YOU DO NOT EXPERIENCE ANY DIGESTIVE ISSUES WHICH IS A VERY GOOD SIGN
TAKING TWO TO THREE SPOONFULS OF FRESH HOMEMADE YOGHURT WITH A MIDDAY MEAL IS ACCEPTABLE FOR YOU PROVIDED IT IS NOT COLD AND NOT TAKEN ALONE MIXING IT WITH FOOD IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN EATING IT SEPARATELY RAIITA IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THIS TRADITIONAL WISDOM WHEN YOGHURT IS MIXED WITH COOKED VEGETABLES AND MILD SPICES IT BECOMES MORE DIGESTIBLE AND LESS LIKELY TO INCREASE AMA FOR VATA CONSTITUTION RAIITA SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE ROASTED JEERA AND A PINCH OF DRY GINGER THIS HELPS BALANCE VATA AND SUPPORTS DIGESTION
LASSI IS AN EVEN BETTER OPTION FOR HOT WEATHER ESPECIALLY FOR VATA WHEN PREPARED CORRECTLY USE WELL CHURNED YOGHURT ADD DOUBLE THE QUANTITY OF WATER A PINCH OF ROASTED CUMIN POWDER AND A SMALL PINCH OF DRY GINGER THIS FORM IS LIGHTER THAN YOGHURT AND DOES NOT CAUSE HEAVINESS OR GAS TAKE IT ONLY DURING DAYTIME NEVER AT NIGHT AND NEVER WITH HEAVY MEALS
FOR WEIGHT GAIN YOGHURT SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN DAILY IN LARGE QUANTITY TWO TO FOUR TIMES A WEEK IS IDEAL EXCESS USE CAN BLOCK CHANNELS EVEN IF DIGESTION FEELS NORMAL OBSERVE YOUR BODY IF YOU NOTICE HEAVINESS COATING ON TONGUE OR REDUCED APPETITE REDUCE THE FREQUENCY
IF YOU WANT ADDITIONAL AYURVEDIC SUPPORT FOR VATA BALANCE AND HEALTHY WEIGHT GAIN YOU MAY USE ASHWAGANDHA CHURNA HALF TEASPOON TWICE DAILY MORNING WITH WARM WATER AND NIGHT WITH WARM MILK THIS SUPPORTS MUSCLE BUILDING AND NERVOUS SYSTEM STABILITY A SMALL PINCH OF TRIKATU CHURNA CAN BE ADDED TO RAIITA OR LASSI OCCASIONALLY TO SUPPORT AGNI
BASIC INVESTIGATIONS WHICH ARE USEFUL IN UNDERWEIGHT VATA TYPES INCLUDE HEMOGLOBIN VITAMIN B TWELVE VITAMIN D THYROID PROFILE AND FASTING BLOOD SUGAR THESE HELP RULE OUT HIDDEN REASONS FOR POOR WEIGHT GAIN EVEN WHEN DIET IS GOOD
OVERALL YES YOGHURT CAN BE PART OF YOUR DIET MIDDAY RAIITA AND PROPERLY MADE LASSI ARE THE BEST FORMS FOR YOU WHEN USED WITH AWARENESS THEY CAN SUPPORT DIGESTION STRENGTH AND GRADUAL WEIGHT GAIN WITHOUT DISTURBING VATA
Hlo,
Yes, in moderation and with the right form. Midday (lunch) is the best time to take yoghurt because Agni (digestive fire) is strongest.
For Vata, yoghurt helps with weight gain, grounding, and nourishment, if it is not cold, sour, or excessive. Plain yoghurt alone can aggravate Vata, but when diluted or spiced, it becomes balancing. Raita with meals
✔ Raita is better than plain yoghurt for Vata. Why it works: Dilution reduces heaviness Spices prevent gas and mucus Taken at lunch, it supports digestion and tissue building Best raita style for Vata: Well-whisked yoghurt + warm water Mild, warming spices Avoid raw onion or too much cucumber Lassi in hot weather
✔ Excellent choice, especially for Vata in summer. Sweet or mildly spiced lassi is cooling but not weakening Cumin and ginger prevent bloating Best taken late morning or with lunch, not evening Important Vata rules for yoghurt
Avoid: Yoghurt at night Cold-from-the-fridge yoghurt Sour or fermented-smelling yoghurt Eating yoghurt with fruit, milk, or fish
Ayurveda Prescription
1. Midday meal yoghurt (3–4 times per week) Fresh homemade yoghurt: 2–3 tablespoons Warm water: 2–3 tablespoons Spices (choose 1–2): Roasted cumin powder: ¼ tsp Dry ginger powder: a pinch Rock salt: a pinch Mix well and take with lunch, not before.
2. Vata-balancing lassi (hot weather) Yoghurt: 2 tbsp Warm or room-temperature water: ½ cup Roasted cumin powder: ¼ tsp Fresh ginger juice or powder: a pinch Optional: a few drops of ghee if very dry Take 2–3 times per week, late morning or with lunch.
3. For weight gain support (optional add-on) After lunch: 1 tsp ghee mixed into food Warm water sip after meal (not cold) Frequency summary Yoghurt/raita/lassi: 3–4 times per week Always midday Always diluted and spiced
Tq
Yoghurt is nourishing and heavy in nature which is good for vata constitution and can help increase weight It should be taken with warm food and not on an empty stomach or with very cold items Combining yoghurt with warm freshly cooked ratai or rice porridge is acceptable and will not disturb digestion In hot weather taking yoghurt as lassi with a pinch of roasted cumin and ginger is excellent because cumin and ginger improve digestion reduce gas and bloating and balance vata
For additional support you can take chyawanprash one teaspoon twice daily after meals with warm milk or warm water to improve digestion and increase ojas and overall strength Ashwagandha capsule one capsule at night after food helps vata balance sleep and nourishment Triphala churna half teaspoon at bedtime with warm water helps maintain gut health prevent constipation and gas Shatavari ghanvati one tablet twice daily after meals with warm water helps strengthen digestion reproductive health and overall nourishment Yograj guggul one tablet twice daily after meals with warm water helps digestion and balances vata and kapha
Along with medicines avoid very cold foods raw vegetables excess sour fruits and excessive salt in yoghurt Maintain warm meals regular routine gentle exercise and pranayama to support vata and digestion Drink warm water frequently and eat freshly cooked food Avoid skipping meals or long gaps between meals This combination of diet lifestyle and ayurvedic medicines will help increase weight improve digestion reduce vata imbalance and safely enjoy yoghurt in your meals
Take not worry But take lunch time is best Avoid night
Yes – yoghurt is generally good for Vata when taken correctly: it is nourishing, grounding, slightly warming and helps build weight & strength. Midday meal recommendation Best time: Lunch (midday) – strongest digestive fire (Agni). Safe amount: 2–4 tablespoons plain, fresh, homemade or good-quality curd (not sour/very cold).
Mix with a pinch of roasted cumin + little rock salt or black salt – this makes it lighter & more Vata-friendly. Avoid: At night (heavier on digestion), very cold, sour or with incompatible foods (fish, fruit, milk).
Raita Yes – excellent combination with meals. Classic raita (cucumber/onion + curd + roasted cumin + salt) is cooling, digestive & helps Vata gain weight. Keep it mild, not too spicy/sour – perfect for midday.
Lassi in hot weather is very good. Thin, sweet or salted lassi with pinch roasted cumin + little ginger/cardamom is refreshing, hydrating & Vata-pacifying. Drink after or with lunch – avoid very cold or at night.
Curd/yoghurt is beneficial for Vata weight gain when fresh, mildly spiced, taken midday and not sour/cold/excessive.
Regards Dr Gursimran Jeet Singh MD Panchakarma
HELLO,
In a person with a Vata constitution, introducing yoghurt would be useful, but
Benefits of Yoghurt on Vata Nourishing & Grounding: Yogurt is heavy, moist, and can work well to balance the light, dry, and cold nature of Vata, which will also increase weight.
-Digestive aid if prepared well: If well prepared with spices such as cumin or ginger, it can have digestive benefits, particularly in hot weather (much like in lassi with cumin and ginger).
Considerations
-Timing: Taking mid-day meals is recommended because that’s when “Agni” or digestive power is highest. Yogurt is best avoided at night because Vata types may find it harder to digest.
-Combination with grains: Plain roti or rice, otherwise known as ‘ratai,’ would usually do. Ensure, though, the yoghurt is fresh, nonsour, and taken in a slightly warmed form instead of ice-cold form since this can trigger Vata. -Spices: Adding cumin, ginger, and/or cardamom to yoghurt can help it become more easily digestible and balancing to Pragmatic advice
-A couple of spoonfuls of yoghurt with a meal a couple of times a week is okay.
-Even Lassi, sprinkled with a pinch of Cumin and Ginger, is a delighting alternative during hot weather to support digestion
-Avoid excessive yoghurt, especially very cold or heavily sour types, as it can aggravate Vata and cause bloating or gas.
Yoghurt can support your weight gain and balance Vata if taken in moderation, preferably midday, slightly warm, and spiced lightly. Pairing with roti or rice is fine.
THANK YOU
DR. MAITRI ACHARYA
Yes yoghurt is good, buttermilk is better . One should have it after lunch with pinch of salt, ginger, asafoetida, roasted cumin seeds. Yoghurt is heavy to digest, but buttermilk is easily digestible. , also it contains the good bacillus. That improves gut health., digestion. Avoid having after sunset, . it is also recommended to avoid mixing yogurt with cucumbers, bananas, mangoes, melons, and fish, to prevent indigestion . Also do not mix with sour fruits like oranges, pineapple, strawberry as it causes cuddling.
