Food as Part of
the Retreat Container
Food at MahaDevi is prepared to support the body, mind, and nervous system throughout the retreat. The approach is simple and intentional: nourishment that provides energy, supports rest, and complements ceremonial work without heaviness or excess.
Our Approach to Food
Meals are not about restriction or indulgence. They are about balance, presence, and care. All food is freshly prepared and made with intention. Most ingredients are sourced locally and seasonally whenever possible.
The kitchen supports each phase of the retreat, from the days before ceremony through to post-ceremony integration mornings. Food is calibrated accordingly.
- Easy to digest and light on the system
- Supportive of steady energy throughout the day
- Prepared with minimal processing
- Aligned with retreat preparation and integration phases
- Adapted where needed for individual dietary requirements
Meal Options
We offer flexible meal options to accommodate different needs and preferences. Dietary requirements are discussed in advance during the preparation process so the kitchen can plan accordingly.
Fresh fruit is served alongside every meal. Natural juices are prepared daily from locally sourced fruits. Filtered water is available at all times.
Fresh Juices and Beverages
Natural fruit juices are prepared fresh from locally sourced fruits and offered regularly throughout the day. Filtered drinking water is always available for every participant.
Depending on the retreat, herbal teas and traditional plant infusions are also offered including blue lotus tea and other calming preparations. These are mindfully available and are not mandatory.
- Fresh-pressed juices from local fruit daily
- Filtered water available at all times
- Herbal teas and blue lotus tea on selected retreats
- No alcohol, caffeine, or stimulants during the retreat
Fasting, Ceremony Nights, and Cafeteria Access
The retreat offers guidance around food and ceremony without imposing rigid rules. Each participant is encouraged to listen to their body within the framework provided.
Fasting Before Ceremony
Fasting before ceremony nights is an option, not a requirement. Some participants choose to eat lightly or fast. Others prefer a small, gentle meal such as fresh fruit or juice in the hours before ceremony. Guidance is provided so each participant can make an informed, supportive choice for their body.
Cafeteria Access
The cafeteria area remains open throughout the day. Participants who feel they need additional nourishment outside of scheduled meal times may order extra food or beverages. This flexibility ensures each person can meet their individual energy and comfort needs.
Communal Dining
Meals are served in an open-air dining space surrounded by the jungle. The setting allows for relaxed communal connection while respecting personal space and quiet when needed.
Sharing meals together is part of the retreat rhythm. It offers grounding and a natural sense of community between participants, and provides a simple, unhurried structure to each day.
Participants wake each morning to the sound of the river, and meals are served in that same environment: calm, grounded, and present.
The Ayahuasca Diet: Going Deeper
What you eat in the weeks before and after an ayahuasca retreat matters beyond what is served at the table. The traditional dieta involves specific dietary restrictions that extend into your preparation period at home. Our full guide covers exactly what to eat, what to avoid, and why.
The Ayahuasca Diet: What to Eat and Avoid Before Your Retreat
The traditional dieta is more than a list of restrictions. It is a preparation practice rooted in indigenous tradition that begins weeks before the first ceremony. This guide covers the foods to eliminate, the foods that support the work, what changes the week before ceremony, and how diet continues after you return home.
Read the full guideA Note on Nourishment
Food at MahaDevi is part of the container prepared to support clarity, presence, and wellbeing without imposing rigid rules or expectations. Each participant is encouraged to listen to their body and choose what feels supportive within the guidance provided.
The intention with food throughout the retreat is consistency, care, and a lack of extremes. Not asceticism, not indulgence. Simply a table that supports the work.
"Meals are not about restriction or indulgence. They are about balance, presence, and care."
Ready to Plan Your Retreat?
Dietary requirements, preferences, and questions are part of the onboarding process. Every participant's needs are discussed before arrival so nothing is left to chance.
Medical Disclaimer: Dietary guidance on this page is specific to the MahaDevi retreat context. Participants with medical conditions, food allergies, or specific dietary requirements should disclose these during the application and screening process. This content does not constitute medical or nutritional advice.