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Dieta & Preparation
For Ayahuasca Ceremony
Welcome to Dieta and Preparation for Ayahuasca Ceremony!
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We honor your calling to explore this powerful and transformative work. Preparing for an ayahuasca ceremony is a meaningful journey in itself, and the care you put into your preparation will profoundly impact your experience. The principle is simple: you will get back what you put in. This is a sacred invitation to cleanse, purify, and open yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually to the healing wisdom of ayahuasca.
On this page, you’ll find guidance on how to prepare your body through a dieta of nourishing, clean, and plant-based foods, as well as practices to align your mind and spirit. From setting clear intentions to engaging in meditation, breath work, and self-reflection, we’ll walk you through how to create a solid foundation for your ceremony. Let’s embark on this sacred path together, with reverence, gratitude, and an open heart.
Importance of the Ayahuasca dieta:
Physical: The dieta helps to cleanse the body of toxins and potential chemical interactions that could interfere with ayahuasca. By avoiding stimulants, processed foods, alcohol, and heavy fats, you create a clean slate for the medicine to work more efficiently. It also reduces the risk of negative reactions or nausea during the ceremony.
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Spiritual Sensitivity: Ayahuasca is considered a sacred plant medicine, and the dieta serves as a way to heighten your spiritual awareness and sensitivity. Eating simple, unprocessed foods helps quiet the mind and open the heart, making you more receptive to the medicine’s teachings and guidance.
Energetic Purity: Many traditional practices emphasize that the body’s energy needs to be clean and balanced before engaging with powerful spiritual work. By abstaining from rich, dense, or stimulating foods, your energy is clearer, and you are better able to connect with the plant spirit.
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Mental Clarity and Focus: A clean diet helps calm the mind, reduce distractions, and deepen your intentions for the ceremony. This state of clarity allows for a more profound, focused journey, as the body and mind are both aligned with the work of ayahuasca.
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Respect for the medicine: The dieta is also a sign of respect for the spiritual process and for the plant medicine itself. It’s a way to demonstrate commitment and reverence for the journey, following guidelines passed down by indigenous traditions.
Nourishment
Ayahuasca dieta guidelines are designed to prepare your body, mind, and spirit for the ceremony, and they emphasize clean, simple, and natural foods. ​Here’s an overview of ayahuasca dieta-friendly foods and general principles:
Ideally, follow the dieta for 7 to 14 days before the ceremony. This duration allows your body to fully adjust and eliminate substances that might interfere with ayahuasca.
It’s recommended to continue the dieta for 7 to 14 days after the ceremony. This helps with integration, as the medicine continues to work within your system. Your body and mind are still sensitive and processing, and maintaining a clean diet supports this ongoing healing. Staying on the dieta helps ground the spiritual insights and experiences you gained, and it ensures that your energy remains balanced during the critical period of post-ceremony integration.
Dieta Friendly Foods & Principles
1. Focus on Plant-Based, Whole Foods
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Fresh vegetables and leafy greens (like kale, spinach, carrots, and zucchini)
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Whole grains, such as brown rice, quinoa, millet, or oats
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Fruits in moderation, especially low-sugar options like apples, papaya, and berries
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Legumes (lentils, chickpeas, and black beans)
2. Minimize or Avoid These Foods
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Salt and Sugar: Both should be minimized, but salt should NOT be omitted completely. For added natural flavorings, opt for a little bit of lemon or herbs instead.
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Oils and Fats: Use minimal oil, and opt for healthier versions like coconut oil if needed.
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Fermented Foods: These are to be avoided, including soy sauce, kimchi, tempeh and miso.
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Spices and Hot Peppers: Keep the seasoning mild to respect the dieta’s intention for purification.
3. Protein Sources
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For a plant-based diet: choose plain legumes.
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For a vegatarian diet: you may include eggs
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If you include fish, opt for plain, grilled, or steamed white fish like cod or tilapia.
4. No Processed Foods
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Avoid anything pre-packaged or processed, and eat meals you make from scratch.
5. Avoid Stimulants and Fermentable Foods
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No caffeine: No coffee, black or green tea, or caffeinated beverages.
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No alcohol: Completely eliminate any alcohol.
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No chocolate or cacao: Both are considered stimulants.
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Avoid aged and fermented foods: Like cheese, soy products, and vinegar-based items.
6. Simple Flavors and Cooking Techniques
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Keep your cooking methods simple: steaming, boiling, or lightly sautéing with minimal oil.
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Season with fresh herbs, like basil or parsley, and natural ingredients like lemon juice.
Mind and Spirit Preparation
Preparing for an ayahuasca journey goes beyond diet and involves nurturing your mind, body, and spirit to be fully present and open. Here are some additional ways to prepare:
By approaching the experience with an open heart, a grounded body, and a clear intention, you create a foundation for a deep and transformative journey.
Expect nothing...and gain everything!
Dieta Friendly Recipes
Nourishing Veggie and Quinoa Bowl
Ingredients:
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1 cup quinoa, rinsed
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2 cups water or vegetable broth (unsalted)
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1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
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1 zucchini, diced
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1 red bell pepper, diced
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1 cup broccoli florets
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1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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1/2 avocado, sliced
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Fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or basil
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Juice of 1 lemon or lime, for drizzling
Instructions:
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Cook the Quinoa:
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Check package for instructions
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Once cooked, remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and set aside.
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Roast the Sweet Potato:
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Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
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Toss the diced sweet potato with a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on a baking sheet.
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Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until the sweet potato is tender and slightly caramelized, stirring halfway through to ensure even cooking.
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3. Steam or Sauté the Other Veggies:
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Steaming Option: Place the broccoli florets and diced zucchini in a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover and steam for 5-7 minutes, or until tender but still vibrant.
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Sautéing Option: Heat a bit of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced red bell pepper, zucchini, and broccoli. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender but still crisp. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
4. Assemble the Bowl:
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Divide the cooked quinoa into serving bowls.
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Top with roasted sweet potato, steamed or sautéed veggies, and slices of avocado.
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Sprinkle fresh herbs over the top and drizzle with lemon or lime juice for a burst of freshness.
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5. Serve and Enjoy:
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Serve warm and enjoy this nourishing, vibrant, and ayahuasca dieta-friendly meal.
This bowl is versatile, so feel free to add any other veggies you love or substitute ingredients as needed. Enjoy the wholesome flavors and nourishing goodness!