Ayurveda is a holistic healing science that originated in India an estimated 5,000 years ago. Ayurveda teaches that excess weight is the result of an imbalance of the body's three energy types, known as doshas. Losing or maintaining weight requires identifying your dominant dosha and adhering to an appropriate diet for your body type. Ayurvedic treatments for weight loss aim to balance the different energies in the body, help to eliminate toxins and improve digestion and metabolism.
Basic Ayurveda Weight-loss Tips
Basic Ayurvedic weight-loss guidelines suitable for all dosha types include drinking hot water throughout the day and exercising daily to improve digestion and metabolic function in the body. Make lunch your largest meal of the day, and eat a light dinner that is easy to digest. Ayurveda also advises against eating leftovers, as they contain less energy than freshly prepared foods and are harder to digest. To keep your mind and body balanced, practice yoga and meditation daily and go to bed by 10 p.m., altMD.com advises.
Triphala Guggulu
Triphala Guggulu is an herbal Ayurvedic treatment said to enhance the body's metabolic function. Triphala refers to three fruits—Indian gooseberry, Beleric fruit, and Black Myrobalan fruit—which are dried and ground into powder. According to AltMD, these fruits contain powerful antioxidants and are believed to have a balancing effect on all three doshas. Guggulu, which is extracted from the Indian mukul myrrh tree, is used to improve digestion and balance the metabolism.
Triphala Guggulu is available in supplement form. Its suggested use is one or two tablets once or twice daily. Consult with a medical professional before beginning an herbal treatment program, especially if you are taking any medications.
Vata Diet
Vata types are naturally thin, but energy imbalances can still cause excess weight gain. If Vata is your predominant dosha, Ayurvedic medicine recommends eating three warm, cooked meals every day, and keeping a consistent meal schedule. Cooking with coconut oil or butter will help you digest foods. For breakfast, eat hot cereals with sweet fruits such as berries, apricots, grapes or dates. Lunch may consist of brown rice or couscous with cooked vegetables and a small amount of protein. For dinner, try a vegetable soup. Avoid coffee, black tea, sugar, chocolate, raw vegetables, ice cream, red meat, and packaged or processed foods, says altMD.
Pitta Diet
Pitta types usually have a medium or muscular build and can tolerate heavier foods. According to AltMD, Pitta types are prone to overeating due to stress, which can lead to energy imbalances. Avoid eating when feeling angry or stressed, and drink plenty of room-temperature water throughout the day. For breakfast, try toast or cold cereal with apples or pears. Lunch can consist of cooked rice, quinoa or oats with vegetables and a protein such as bean, chicken or turkey. Eat a light dinner of steamed vegetables before 7 p.m. AltMD says you should avoid fried, salty or fatty foods, spicy condiments, red meat, brown rice, corn, nuts, and processed or fast foods.
Kapha Diet
Kapha types usually have a large, heavier build and a slower metabolism. Drink hot drinks throughout the day and use minimal oils when cooking. Breakfast should be light, consisting of hot tea and fruit or a muffin. Make lunch your heaviest meal and include 50 percent fresh vegetables with cooked whole grains and chicken, turkey or beans. Keep dinner light, such as a warm vegetable soup. Avoid cold foods and drinks, alcohol, soy, dairy, pastries, coffee and chocolate, altMD advises.
Member Comments