Deciding to partake in an ayahuasca ceremony is a deeply personal commitment. Not only is it a commitment of the mind, but the body as well. There may be variances in preparatory work depending on the type of ceremony, where it is taking place, and who is leading the group.
There is usually a period of abstinence from sex, external media, and overstimulating environments or situations. Additionally, a special diet is required to cleanse and purify the body to reduce the physical impact associated with ayahuasca — it is also a matter of safety. This eating protocol is known as a dieta. For anyone called to work with the mother plant, understanding the reasoning behind and guidelines surrounding this dieta is very important. So, what is a good ayahuasca dieta?
What Is a Dieta in the Ayahuasca Tradition?
Traditionally, the dieta was considered the pillar upon which this work with ayahuasca was built upon. It was not just a preparatory diet, but was considered a contract between the plant medicine and the curanderos or curanderas leading the ceremonies. When the shamans would commune with the plant medicine, they were given messages about how to establish a contract for dieta. Sometimes, the diet was followed for as little as a week, and sometimes, it would need to span months or even years.
Following the dieta is considered a sacrifice, and in exchange, the plant medicine is willing to teach. Though the details can vary, the main items that students must abstain from include sex, pork, red meat, alcohol, sweet foods, spices and spicy foods, fermented foods, dairy, and salted foods. The shaman or curandero can negotiate the terms of the agreement with the plant medicine and may offer to abstain wholly, but for a shorter period. Or perhaps offer to refrain from most food groups, but continue to eat meals of fish and greens or other simple foods.
When the dieta is established, the terms will be given to the students. This contract is sealed within the ceremony, where students will then drink the ayahuasca brew and the contract between the medicine and the student has begun. Food, beverage, and sex are not the only things that play into the ayahuasca dieta.
The intention and thoughts surrounding the entire dieta experience are essential to the commitment. One cannot complain about the strict rules or fantasize about decadent foods and sex. The commitment must be in the body and the mind throughout the dieta.
When the dieta is ending, it is usually honored with ceremony. Many curanderos and shamans will offer the students a particular food, such as a few grains of sea salt, or spicy peppers. Easing back into a normal diet should take time, and foods should be introduced slowly and eaten with intention. The same goes for behaviors and thoughts. The medicine is still strongly connected to the participants, and rushing back to pre-ceremony actions or ideas is considered disrespectful of the ayahuasca’s teachings. Moving forward with intention and self-awareness is the best path forward to integration.
Why Is the Dieta Important for Ayahuasca?
As Westerners have begun partaking in ayahuasca retreats over the recent years, adaptations for ayahuasca tourism have developed. Rather than beginning the dieta at the opening of the ceremony, the students are asked to begin their diet in advance of their ceremonies. It is common to follow the dieta for as little as three days, up to two weeks before the ceremony. This is so they can eliminate toxins and prepare the body and mind for the experience of mother ayahuasca. The dieta is designed for safety, as the medicine does not mix well with certain medications, and many modern diets are not conducive to physical cleanliness, and toxins must be detoxified as best as possible. This doesn’t eliminate the possibility of purging during the ceremony, but it certainly helps. A good ayahuasca dieta is essential to the preparatory process.
The body is the physical vehicle for the mind, though the two are very interconnected. Humans consume more than just food and drink on this planet, but they take in stimuli and environmental factors constantly all day long. This comes in the form of aggressive or disturbing television programs or movies, toxic chemicals in the environment, abusive relationships either experienced personally or witnessed. These are only a few examples of how human beings can absorb external energies that can linger and remain in the brain and the body.
Understanding what is a good ayahuasca dieta can help eliminate and reduce these factors. When preparing the body and mind, the idea is to be as internally and externally pure as possible. Simplifying the diet is one way, but reducing stressful situations and avoiding harmful mental stimuli are also beneficial. Most importantly, it’s mandatory to stop using any MAOIs before the ceremony. When mixed with the potent chemicals in ayahuasca, this can cause a toxic reaction leading to heart palpitations, changes in blood pressure, intense headaches, and more. If removing MAOIs from one’s life is not an option, ayahuasca is probably not a good choice.
Some might wonder why abstaining from sex is a part of a good ayahuasca dieta. Sex is an expression of the human life force. When reaching orgasm, vital life energy explodes from the body out into the universe, or into another person’s energetic field. Reserving this power can be a huge asset when it comes to drawing upon inner strength during the ceremony. It’s best to be as calm, pure, and potent as possible heading into the ayahuasca ceremony.
What Is a Good Ayahuasca Dieta: Foods to Eat
Many foods can still be eaten during a diet. However, for some people, the dietary restrictions can be tough to adhere to. In the modern American diet, many comfort and convenience foods are not an option.
Many fresh or lightly cooked vegetables are encouraged, such as potatoes, broccoli, arugula, lettuce, cucumber, carrots, yucca, beets, and jicama. So long as fruits are not overripe, eat plenty of berries, grapes, apples, melons, peaches, pears, and bananas. Nuts and seeds like cashews, almonds, walnuts, hemp, and chia seeds are encouraged, as well as grains like amaranth, spelt, quinoa, and brown rice. Beans and lentils are also approved. While garlic and onion should be avoided, adding dill, basil, thyme, oregano, and turmeric can add flavor to any meal.
For help preparing a shopping list, screenshot or print out this list to help you remember what is available during your ayahuasca dieta.
Fresh or cooked vegetables, including:
- Potatoes and sweet potatoes
- Broccoli
- Arugula
- Beets
- Jicama
- Yucca
- Carrots
- Cucumber
- Lettuce
Fresh fruits including:
- Apricots
- Berries
- Bananas
- Apples
- Grapes
- Pears
- Melons
- Peaches
Grains and legumes including:
- Beans
- Lentils
- Amaranth
- Spelt
- Quinoa
- Brown rice
Raw nuts and seeds:
- Cashews
- Almonds
- Walnuts
- Hemp seeds
- Chia seeds
Animal proteins:
- Organic, free-range chicken
- Wild-caught fish (tilapia, sole, trout, halibut, snapper)
- Organic eggs (hardboiled, scrambled, poached)
Seasonings:
- Fresh herbs such as dill, basil, thyme, oregano, turmeric
This is not a complete list of all allowable foods. It’s best to inquire about the recommended list as prescribed by the shaman, curandero, or organization leading the ceremony.
What Is a Good Ayahuasca Dieta: Foods to Avoid
Many people find that eliminating these foods from their diet promotes their physical well-being in ways they have never experienced before. It can be helpful to remember that removing these foods is a chance for the body to reset, restore, and prepare for the work ahead.
Foods to avoid:
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Sugar
- Salt
- Most oils
- Overripe fruits and vegetables
- Avocado
- Tomato
- Spinach
- Red meat
- Pork
- Dairy
- Pickled and fermented foods
- Yeast
- Garlic
- Onion
- Leeks
- Spicy peppers
- Black pepper
Again, this is not an exhaustive list, and it’s best to consult the ceremony leader for their recommendations for a good ayahuasca dieta.
Adhering to the Dieta
Should you find the dieta to be too restrictive, take some time to consider if you are fully prepared for the journey with ayahuasca. While ayahuasca can be a beautiful communion with spirit, it can also offer challenges and difficulties that make the dieta seem fairly simple. Remember that your body is a vessel, and it is one with your mind. The plant medicine moves through you to give blessings, offer healing, and share deep wisdom. This sacrifice is but a moment in time compared to the lifelong lessons that mother ayahuasca can provide.
