Ayurveda and Weightloss
Let me begin with an important note from Bhaishajya Ratnaval
Persons indulging in physical exercise, worry, long walk, intake of honey, remaining awake at night ,taking barley as food gets rid of obesity.
Exercise
It is an antodote for almost everything that ail us.
At a minimum ,take time everyday ,to get out and walk.
Though the book mentions on keeping awake at night, the Vata vridhi that occurs due to this may cause other problems. So the best way to reduce and remain healthy is a proper diet and as I said before exercise.
Diet Plans
Eat foods that are in season
Eat your largest meal midday
Eat a smaller breakfast and even smaller dinner
Add Ayurvedic super foods- Ghee, Raw honey, Almonds and dates
Evening meals should be vegetarian, hot, light and soupy
include non-cream soups, Barley, Green gram, brown rice, wheat cooked in water, steamed vegetables roasted or saute with extra virgin olive oil
The reason for telling to eat the largest meal during mid day is that digestive fire will be more during
pitta pradhana kala (pitta dominated time of the day ) . Also, warm foods are more easy to digest and assimilate.
If you have the habit of taking deserts at night ,take cooked fruits
Avoid - cheese, yogurt,Rich desserts, red meat, left overs of any kind, cold foods and processed foods.
It is also important to reduce the evening consumption of fish, fowl and starches
A typical days meal should look like this -
Breakfast - should be easy to digest foods like hot oat meal, hot cereal or fresh fruit
Don’t eat egg yolks since it is hard to digest, instead have egg whites.
Lunch - Cheese, eggs, meat and desserts ( As I mentioned the powerful digestive fire will digest and
assimilate everything in the noon)
Dinner - Digestive fire is weakest during this period ,so go for light foods like soups, or cooked veggies
It is important to know the fact that undigested food gets converted in to toxins and get stored in fat
cells.
By sipping hot water through out the day ,you help cleanse the digestive tract and entire body of
blockages and impurities. Hot water improves digestion and assimilation of food and helps prevent the
body from becoming toxic and clogged. It is also a great aid in reducing food cravings in between meals.
Boil water for 10 minutes and keep in a thermos and sip through out the day.
Instead of sipping hot water there is an ayurvedic water which you can sip through out the day
Medicated Water
Boil 4 to 5 cups of water in the morning and add 1/2 tsp cumin seeds, 1/2 tsp whole
corriander seeds, and 1/2 tsp whole fennel seeds. Strain out the seeds and pour liquid in to a thermos.
Take sips of it through out the day.
Triphala -
this magic combination can be used internally as well as externally for weight loss. Internally
Triphala powder can be consumed with warm water or honey. Amalaki ( Gooseberry) works as a natural
antioxidant and remove excess inflammation from the body. It also helps to increase the lean body mass
and maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Harithaki (Chebulic fruit) supports the body's natural cleansing process by gently removing toxins that accumulate in the colon. Bibhitaki (Belleric myrobalan) is
particularly effective in reducing the accumulation of fat and fluids in the body. Externally triphala powder massage (Udwarthanam) can be done. Concentrate more on your arms, legs and abdomen
Ayurveda advises the intake of shad rasas( 6 tastes).
Add 5 tsp corriander seeds+ 1 tsp fenugreek seeds+1 large bay leaf+ 1/2 tsp cumin+1/2 tsp mustard+ 11/2 inches cinnamon stick+ 5 cloves - grind this well and add 2 tsp turmeric powder. Include this in your diet as curry powder. Before going for liposuction and other medicines for weight loss , try out these things and rekindle your digestive fire and life.
