2. Your Prakriti and snacking

Snacking must be done keeping in mind your Prakrati (body constitution as described by Ayurveda. A Pitta dominated person should avoid snacking on Pitta inducing items like sour or citrus items, spicy foods or anything that would induce heat or acidity in the body. Vata dominated people should keep a check on items that are hard on digestion; these would include beans and dried fruits. Raw salads and stringent foods will also increase Vata in the body. Traditionally, Ayurveda suggests no snacking for Kapha dominated people, in case you want to ensure cutting back on Kapha inducing foods that would include fried snacks, melons or items involving dairy.
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3. Snacking for Kapha dominated people

Kapha dominated group is the only one which is recommended to include loads of fresh veggies in their diet - nearly 50% of what they eat daily must constitute vegetables. Snacking options for a Kapha dominated individual must be planned accordingly.

4. Taste matters

Taste of a particular food item may also aggravate any specific dosha in the body. Not only while snacking but otherwise as well, tastes compatible to one's Prakriti must be included in the diet and others must be consumed in moderation or avoided whenever possible. Pungent, bitter and astringent food items aggravates Vata dosha whereas pacifies Kapha dosha. Sweet, salty and sour food items pacifies Vata dosha and aggravates Kapha dosha. Sour, salty and pungent foods aggravate Pitta dosha while sweet, bitter and astringent ingredients pacify Pitta dosha.

5. Few more things to keep in mind

One must not eat too soon after eating a meal. Ayurveda largely stresses on the consumption of three large meals in the day with no or little snacking in between. "The yogic diet recommends 6 hours of sleep and a six hour-long gap between all three meals of the day. One must not consume any food after sunset. Bedtime must be early and so should be the wake up time," notes Yogacharya Anoop, Mediyoga.

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