Paleo, keto, blood-type, alkaline, juicing, intermittent fasting, etc. Have you tried one of these popular approaches to losing weight? Perhaps, it worked for you. Perhaps the weight loss was only short-lived once you went back to your eating habits prior to the diet. Many people ask themselves; “How can I lose weight healthily and effectively?”, but the answer looks different for everyone.
From an Ayurvedic point of view, losing weight is based more on your unique constitution, not the diet itself. The Ayurvedic diet has been in existence for thousands of years and is based on principles of Ayurvedic medicine. The focus is on balancing various energies within the body—to achieve better synergy and improve health of body and mind.
Why Ayurveda Can Help with Weight Loss
Diets often fail because they lump everyone together without taking into account the individual needs of each body and mind type. Ayurveda on the other hand is not a one-size fits all approach. It distinguishes between three constitutional types, the doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Each of these three types has a different metabolism, different physical characteristics, and even different mindsets and emotional tendencies. Ayurveda helps you adjust your diet to the natural needs of your dosha in order to attain your comfortable weight.
Ayurveda also promotes mindful eating, which can result in naturally consuming fewer calories while simultaneously feeling more satisfied. The Ayurvedic lifestyle also encourages other healthy habits, including spending time in nature, prioritizing adequate sleep and rest, being physically active, and incorporating specific routines into your day.
Ayurveda Nutrition for the Doshas
Agni or digestive fire, works differently for each dosha. What one type tolerates well can quickly lead to digestive problems or obesity in another. For this exact reason, Ayurveda avoids generalizing diet plans and instead focuses on type-appropriate nutrition. If you already know your dosha type, here are some great tips that you can apply immediately!
Kapha Dosha Type:
Kapha types are calm, slow-paced, and affectionate. When imbalanced they are prone to obesity, slow digestion, and congestion, as well as lethargy, and possessiveness. They should avoid heavy, fatty and cold foods. They should also say no to sweet and fried foods and avoid dairy products and animal proteins as much as possible.
Ayurvedic Diet for Kapha types: Kapha types should eat light, dry or heating food to get the metabolism going. This includes low-fat foods like apples or pears, salads, leafy green vegetables, and broccoli, light foods like barley, corn, and rye and white meats. They should prepare meals with aromatic herbs and spices such as ginger, turmeric or coriander. A general rule for Kapha types is to eat smaller portions!
Pitta Dosha Type:
Pitta types are hot-tempered and should focus their diet on curbing their fiery type. When imbalanced they tend to suffer redness and inflammation, elimination issues, acidity, jealousy, irritation, and anger.
Ayurvedic Diet for Pitta types: If you are a Pitta type, it is best to eliminate everything that heats up the body, such as coffee, salt, processed oil, and strong or hot spices. Instead, reach for mild and bitter flavours and cool, refreshing foods such as leafy green vegetables, zucchini, and cucumbers. Pitta types should favour barley, oats, rice, cottage cheese, tofu and fruits like apples, mangoes, pomegranates or pineapples.
Vata Dosha Type:
Vata types are light, energetic, and creative but when imbalanced are prone to constipation, bloating and gas, and skin and joint dryness. They can also become anxious, erratic, and suffer from nervous system issues.
Ayurvedic Diet for Vata types: To lose weight as a Vata type, you should stay away from cold foods such as salads and raw vegetables. Iced drinks also increase your Vata dosha and are not ideal. Warm cereal, cooked vegetables, and soups and stews are best for Vata dosha. They should favour vegetables such as asparagus, sweet potato, carrots, sweet fruits like apples, and berries, and spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, aniseed, basil and ginger.
This is just a brief overview of the Ayurvedic diet. A consultation with an Ayurvedic practitioner or doctor would provide much more in-depth and tailored recommendations.
Regardless of your dosha type, there are also a some general Ayurvedic tips that you can consider in your diet to start your journey towards healthier eating:
- Have three meals a day, around the same time each day if possible.
- Avoid snacking in between meals. Only eat when you’re hungry!
- Eat a light, nourishing breakfast like warm oats with cooked fruit and spices.
- Plan lunch as the main meal, as this is when Agni burns the most.
- Avoid eating anything heavy after 6pm.
- Allow at least six hours between meals.
- Never consume ice-cold drinks.
- Favour boiled water, consumed hot or at room temperature.
- Use spices such as chilli, ginger, mustard and cinnamon to stimulate the digestive fire.
- Avoid eating large portions (eat about two handfuls at each meal)
- Eat your meals slowly and intentionally, without any distractions.
