Ayurveda is in many ways a system of health care that not only can help with weight loss but can leave you looking and feeling healthier on all levels.
When it comes to weight loss, an ayurvedic practitioner or counselor can recommend specific foods, spices and herbs to include in your ayurvedic diet as part of a program or treatment.
The following are my 10 best secrets for weight loss:
1. Drink hot water and tea throughout the day. Drinking hot water re-hydrates your body and cleanses the toxins out of your cells and tissues which is effective for weight loss. Drinking certain teas that have herbs like Ginger, Fennel, Manjistha, Nettle, Brahmi, Burdock Root, Licorice Root, and Yellow Dock Root can have even a greater effect in cleansing the lymphatic system and detoxing your body. Make sure to talk to an Ayurvedic Practitioner to see which and how much of a particular herb is needed for your constitution.
2. Consume more spices that are warming. If you have gained some extra weight and want to shed some pounds, spices such as Ginger, Turmeric, Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Anise and Cayenne can be very beneficial. Their heating (fiery) nature will help to increase your circulation and boost your metabolism. They can be added to your food or taken as an elixer.
3. Consume more spices and food supplements that will help breakdown and digest your food. Spices such as asafoetida (hing), and ginger act similar to digestive enzymes – converting your food more easily into energy. This helps to reduce the accumulations of unwanted fat and toxins. Food supplements such as apple cider vinegar, and fermented cabbages such as sauerkraut and kimchi can be taken with (before) your meal to also help with food digestion.
4. Eat until you are 3/4 full. Never eat until you are completely full. Your stomach and digestive organs need space for the digestion to occur. Some Ayurvedic practitioners recommend that after your first belch you should stop eating entirely.
5. Chew your food at least 15 times. This is recommended for small to medium bites that fit in a teaspoon or fork. Never rush the eating process. To assist in chewing your food properly, it is important to practice mindful eating without distractions so you can be present with the action of consuming your food in a relaxing environment.
6. Don’t drink with your meals. Wait 30 minutes before and after each meal before you consume liquids. According to Ayurveda, small sips of water or tea can be taken especially if you are eating dry foods with no oils or liquids. Drinking too much water with your meal dilutes the acids and enzymes in your stomach that are needed for proper digestion.
7. Consume more oils in your diet. The best way is to cook with oils such as coconut oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil, ghee and sesame seed oil. Certain oils are better for certain dosha types and each oil has a specific smoking point, so should be used at different temperatures. Oils are essential for your body and are often used and recommended for weight loss.
8. Take natural supplements along with your diet. For example, you may not be consuming enough spice such as ginger or turmeric with your foods; therefore taking these in supplement form will give you a greater dosage and assist in the weight loss process. Also certain minerals and vitamins, such as the b-Vitamins, calcium and magnesium may be lacking and need to be included with your ayurvedic diet.
9. Make lunch your biggest meal. According to Ayurveda, around noon or, between 11:00 and 2:00 pm is when your digestive system is most active and therefore you will be able to digest your foods easily. It will also give you the rest of the day to burn any excess fats or carbohydrates that you ate for breakfast and lunch.
10. Make dinner you lightest meal. Also eat dinner at least 2 hours before bedtime. At night your digestion slows down and food is more easily stored as fat. You could also try an occasional fast or intermittent fasting by skipping a meal such as dinner or breakfast.
Remember to find out your prominent dosha type and follow the Ayurvedic diet that is right for you. Check out my book Ayurvedic Diet Secrets. For weight loss, Ayurveda recommends specific foods, herbs and spices for people, according to their primary constitution or dosha type.
The primary reason for this is because we are all unique individuals with different make ups rooting from the 5 basic elements of life. Foods can be both healing, and the source of imbalance and difficulties.
By eating foods according to your Ayurvedic body type, you will accumulate less Ama (waste) and unnecessary fat, in your body. Many of the food, herbs and spices consumed in Ayurveda have anti-viral, anti-bacterial and, most importantly, anti-inflammatory properties. Reducing inflammation also helps you to lose weight and keep it off..