

Tasty Ayurveda:
AYURVEDIC THE PATH TO HOLISTIC WELLBEING STARTS WITH NUTRITION
Nutrition is central to Ayurveda. Since diet plays an essential role in maintaining good physical and mental health, we at the Ayurveda Resort Mandira in Bad Waltersdorf serve the freshest, tastiest dishes based on Ayurvedic principles, but tailored to the European palate and using local produce. Our Mandira Ahara Ayurvedic cuisine is available in four nutritional levels.
Light and easily digestible, your Mandira Ahara Ayurvedic cuisine meals cleanse and detoxify, providing optimal support during your treatment programme. And they taste amazing, too! Our chef, Markus Lengauer, is a master at conjuring up mouthwatering Ayurvedic dishes using top-quality ingredients.

MANDIRA AHARA AYURVEDIC CUISINE: REGIONAL NUTRITION BASED ON AYURVEDA
Nutrition based on Ayurvedic principles doesn’t necessitate the use of exotic foods. The real emphasis in Ayurveda is that food should do us the world of good. That’s why we developed the concept of Mandira Ahara Ayurvedic cuisine. Taking into account the basic principles of Ayurveda, it is geared towards European culinary preferences and habits, using foods commonly grown in Europe. This is entirely in line with Ayurvedic philosophy, which teaches that our bodies find it easiest to digest foods grown in the soil on which we were raised.
We therefore believe that we must make the most of the delicious food grown regionally and locally. And there is plenty of room for culinary experimentation: our kitchen team channel their enthusiasm and creativity into combining Indian and Austrian traditions, marrying produce from Styrian farms with Indian ingredients such as chickpeas and lentils.
Mandira Ahara Ayurvedic cuisine is meat free to ensure the digestive system is not subjected to any unnecessary stress. Also, a vegetarian diet supports detoxification and is particularly conducive to inner clarity and energy. Ayurvedic nutrition is available in four stages and adapted to your specific programme and needs.
basic principles of Ayurvedic nutrition
Essentially, Ayurvedic nutrition is about eating mindfully and in moderation to meet our individual requirements. We should consume the freshest, highest-quality foods possible, taking our time to enjoy meals that have been prepared with care. Ideally, we should dine in a calm and pleasant atmosphere without distractions.
Light, hot meals
Ayurvedic cuisine favours easily digestible, warm, cooked foods. Raw foods are only occasionally recommended. Avoid large quantities of cheese, fish, meat and fatty foods. You should also observe a gap of three to four hours between meals, with minimal snacking, to support the digestion process.
The right combination matters
Eating the right combination of foods is key. Animal proteins (meat, fish, eggs) and dairy products should not be consumed together as this creates metabolic waste (Ama). Grains and potatoes are best served with vegetables or salad, while rice counts as a light food and can be combined with anything.
Herbs and spices
Herbs and spices are a staple of Ayurvedic nutrition. In India, where they are considered sacred, spices are used liberally since, aside from their superb flavour, herbs and spices are prized for their healing power. In Holistic Ayurveda, we have developed recipes that make use of local herbs that correspond to their Indian counterparts in terms of their healing efficacy.
basic principles of Ayurvedic nutrition
Essentially, Ayurvedic nutrition is about eating mindfully and in moderation to meet our individual requirements. We should consume the freshest, highest-quality foods possible, taking our time to enjoy meals that have been prepared with care. Ideally, we should dine in a calm and pleasant atmosphere without distractions.
Light, hot meals
Ayurvedic cuisine favours easily digestible, warm, cooked foods. Raw foods are only occasionally recommended. Avoid large quantities of cheese, fish, meat and fatty foods. You should also observe a gap of three to four hours between meals, with minimal snacking, to support the digestion process.
The right combination matters
Eating the right combination of foods is key. Animal proteins (meat, fish, eggs) and dairy products should not be consumed together as this creates metabolic waste (Ama). Grains and potatoes are best served with vegetables or salad, while rice counts as a light food and can be combined with anything.
Herbs and spices
Herbs and spices are a staple of Ayurvedic nutrition. In India, where they are considered sacred, spices are used liberally since, aside from their superb flavour, herbs and spices are prized for their healing power. In Holistic Ayurveda, we have developed recipes that make use of local herbs that correspond to their Indian counterparts in terms of their healing efficacy.

Ayurveda’s golden rule: nutrition is determined by constitutional type
Ayurvedic teaching places a great deal of importance on each person’s individual constitution. When it comes to nutrition, ‘one man’s meat is another man’s poison’! The optimal diet doesn’t look the same for everyone, rather it is determined by individual type. Ayurveda teaches that the three vital energies, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, are present in everyone. People generally fall into one of the three categories depending on their dominant energy (Dosha). With the right diet, the Doshas can be brought into balance. According to Ayurvedic teaching, a person’s specific Dosha type determines the right diet for them.

Ayurveda’s golden rule: nutrition is determined by constitutional type
Ayurvedic teaching places a great deal of importance on each person’s individual constitution. When it comes to nutrition, ‘one man’s meat is another man’s poison’! The optimal diet doesn’t look the same for everyone, rather it is determined by individual type. Ayurveda teaches that the three vital energies, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, are present in everyone. People generally fall into one of the three categories depending on their dominant energy (Dosha). With the right diet, the Doshas can be brought into balance. According to Ayurvedic teaching, a person’s specific Dosha type determines the right diet for them.
Ayurvedic nutrition for Vata types
Vata types tend to be flexible and dynamic, but prone to anxiety and stress. Vata types should eat regularly to restore balance. Warm, comforting meals balance tension in the Vata Dosha. Sweet, sour and salty tastes are recommended.
Ayurvedic nutrition for Pitta types
Strong Pitta types are assertive and full of energy, but can come across as dominant and irritable. Pitta types can cool their fiery temperament by consuming cool or moderately warm foods and drinks. They should reduce their intake of spicy and sour foods, and instead choose sweet, bitter and astringent dishes.
Ayurvedic nutrition for Kapha types
Kapha types are patient, reliable and maintain emotional stability in stressful situations. An excess of the Kapha Dosha sometimes creates a tendency towards idleness and weight gain. A suitable diet for this type is light, ideally warm foods and drinks, and spicy, bitter and astringent foods. Kapha types should avoid rich, fatty meals and cold foods.
Strengthening the Agni: digestion in Ayurvedic nutrition
Ayurvedic teachings tell us that good digestion is the key to health, and that nutrition can strengthen digestive fire (Agni). To fuel the Agni, make sure you eat Dosha type-appropriate dishes. It is advisable to leave a gap of a few hours between meals, as undigested food causes digestive problems.
We should also eat in harmony with our biorhythms. The digestive fire is at its strongest at midday, so make lunch your main meal. In the morning, however, when digestion is weak, enjoy a light breakfast, for example warm porridge.


AYURVEDIC NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY
Guests embarking on an Ayurvedic journey at the Ayurveda Resort Mandira enjoy a somewhat different full-board experience. The resort’s Mandira Ahara Ayurvedic cuisine combines Indian and native herbs with regionally sourced products to make delicious vegetarian dishes that are integral to Ayurvedic healing. The Mandira’s CEO, Christina Mauracher, has spent many years studying the Ayurvedic diet and answers some of our most pressing questions.
HEALTHY AYURVEDIC NUTRITION
Four nutritional levels to suit a specific Ayurveda or spa treatment programme for optimal health results.