Ayahuasca Diet (Dieta) & Physical Guidelines

Ayahuasca is a powerful plant medicine, and preparing for a ceremony is just as important as the experience itself. One of the most common questions people ask is: Why no salt? At Pachamama Sanctuary, we guide participants through the right way to prepare for an Ayahuasca journey, including dietary restrictions. The Ayahuasca diet is designed to help cleanse the body and mind, ensuring that participants receive the full benefits of the medicine.

The Importance of Ayahuasca Diet Preparation

The way you eat before an Ayahuasca ceremony plays a big role in how deeply you connect with the medicine. The diet, or “dieta,” isn’t just about avoiding certain foods—it’s about purifying your system so you can fully embrace healing. This is why ayahuasca diet preparation is essential. By following these guidelines, you create the best conditions for a transformative experience.

Salt and Intentional Preparation

Preparing for ceremony is an opportunity to simplify your diet and become more intentional about what you consume. We recommend limiting heavily salted and highly processed foods during the preparation period, but salt does not need to be eliminated completely. Small amounts of pink Himalayan salt are permitted.

Within our ceremonial practice, reducing excess salt is less about strict deprivation and more about becoming aware of everyday habits, cravings, and attachments before the retreat. This period of preparation can help you slow down, eat more mindfully, and arrive with greater intention.

If you have a medical condition that requires a specific sodium intake, please follow your healthcare provider’s guidance and disclose this information during Pachamama’s health-screening process.

Foods to Eat Before an Ayahuasca Ceremony

Preparing for ceremony does not mean fasting or going without adequate nourishment. Focus on simple, balanced meals made with fresh or minimally processed ingredients.

Foods you may enjoy during the preparation period include:

  • Fruits and Vegetables: Choose a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables as the foundation of your meals.

  • Chicken, Fish, and Eggs: These may be included as simple sources of protein.

  • Chickpeas and Sweet Potatoes: Both are nourishing, versatile options that work well in simple meals.

  • Oatmeal: Choose plain, minimally processed oatmeal without artificial flavors or excessive added sugar.

  • Bread: Select quality, minimally processed bread when possible.

  • Natural Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is permitted in moderation. Choose one with simple ingredients and minimal added sugar.

  • Natural Sweeteners: Small amounts of honey, maple syrup, or raw sugar may be used.

  • Quality Oils: Extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, hemp oil, and flaxseed oil are permitted in moderation.

  • Beverages: Drink plenty of water. Unsweetened sparkling water is also permitted.

  • Salt: Small amounts of pink Himalayan salt may be used. Avoid heavily salted and highly processed foods.

Please Do Not Fast

Your body needs adequate nourishment and energy for the retreat. Eat regular, balanced meals during the preparation period unless your healthcare provider has given you different instructions.

Keep Your Preparation Simple

Many guests find it helpful to choose two or three simple, balanced meals and repeat them during the preparation period. This can make the dieta easier to follow while helping you remain consistent and intentional.

Foods to Avoid Before an Ayahuasca Ceremony

Ayahuasca diet preparation includes avoiding many foods that can interfere with the medicine’s effects. Here are some key foods and substances to cut out:

  • Salt and Spices – These can stimulate the body and interfere with the medicine’s work.
  • Processed Foods – These often contain chemicals and preservatives that are not good for a cleansing experience.
  • Red Meat and Dairy – These take a long time to digest and can weigh you down energetically.
  • Alcohol and Drugs – Any substance that alters your state of mind should be avoided for at least two weeks before the ceremony.
  • Caffeine – This can overstimulate the nervous system and make it harder to relax during the ceremony.

By following these guidelines, you allow your body to be in the best possible state for the medicine to work. This is why Pachamama Sanctuary is considered the best Ayahuasca retreat in the USA. We take diet preparation seriously to ensure every participant has a deep and healing experience.

Dietary Guidelines

The diet, or dieta, is one of the most important practices in both preparing to take ayahuasca, as well as for maximizing the benefits of integration following your journey. The preparatory diet should not be taken lightly. Indeed, you can seriously endanger yourself by failing to honor the dietary precautions, and otherwise guarantee a much more difficult and painful process as Ayahuasca cleans out the toxins and heavier energies accumulated from a poor diet. The following dietary guidelines ensure that you will be as receptive as possible to the miraculous gifts that Ayahuasca can give. IMPORTANT: For your safety, you must tell us if you are currently taking any medications or supplements. Some medications have dangerous contraindications with Ayahuasca. Please review our Medical Guidelines here.

Pre-Retreat Guidelines

At least two weeks before the ceremony, please avoid the following:
  • All recreational or synthetic drugs such as cocaine, LSD, MDMA, heroin, amphetamines, etc. (This is essential for your safety)
  • Pork
  • Sex, including masturbation
  • Alcohol
  • Cannabis
  • Psychedelics such as mushrooms
  • Cold or frozen foods such as ice cream, popsicles
  • Carbonated drinks
At least one week before the ceremony, please avoid the following:
  • Red meat
  • Refined sugars
  • Junk or processed foods
  • Salt or pepper
  • Garlic
  • Sweets
  • Chocolate
  • Oils
  • Butter and other animal fats
  • Carbonated drinks
  • Dairy products
  • Fermented foods
  • Caffeine and other stimulants

Further Guidelines

  • If you are menstruating during the retreat, please inform us.
  • Pregnant women should not take Ayahuasca
  • Avoid using synthetic, petroleum, or other chemical-based body products such as soaps, perfumes, etc. For the ceremony, please do not wear any products with sharp smells as the sacrament will heighten everyone’s sensitivity.

By following these preparatory guidelines for diet, you set yourself up to maximize the benefits from encountering this sacrament. Entering into a relationship with Ayahuasca is to work with a master teacher. Therefore, the student should be as prepared as possible both as a sign of respect for the teacher as well as to ensure the highest learning. The more commitment you show to Ayahuasca, the more you prove yourself as a worthy student who may be trusted with deeper communion and higher knowledge.

Post-Retreat Guidelines

2 weeks following ceremony abstain from:
  • Spicy foods
  • Alcohol
  • Sexual activity
  • Cold foods (Ice, ice cream, ice drinks)
  • Carbonated drinks
2-4 weeks following ceremony abstain from:
  • ALL recreational drugs (cocaine, MDMA, LSD, etc.)
  • Cannabis and other plant medicines
  • Pork
  • Massage and other energetic work
2-4 weeks following the ceremony, minimize:
  • Refined sugars
  • Red meat
  • Dairy
  • Carbonated drinks
  • Fermented foods
  • Junk or processed foods
  • Salt or pepper
  • Garlic
  • Sweets
  • Chocolate
  • Oils
  • Animal fats
  • Caffeine
  • Stimulants

Have you read our medical guidelines?

Before continuing with your booking, please confirm that you have read and understood the medical guidelines.