| For safe and healthy weight loss, the profound | | | | be a guide to help you choose the right type of foods |
| sciences of Yoga and Ayurveda form a powerful | | | | to eat. So looking at it from that perspective one |
| combination. Yoga providing a system of exercises | | | | should reduce fatty foods, dairy, ice cream, meats |
| which help to burn fat, increase metabolism and | | | | (specially red meat) etc. |
| promote fitness, while Ayurveda providing the | | | | * For drinks, stick to hot drinks instead of cold ones. |
| guidelines for proper diet and nutrition. In this article I will | | | | Again use Kapha qualities as a road map to help you |
| explore Ayurveda, which is the science of self-healing | | | | choose. Drink teas, hot water, instead of cold sodas |
| and longevity. | | | | and milk shakes. |
| A key concept in Ayurveda is that of the 3 Doshas | | | | * Since opposites decrease each other, use more hot |
| (humours): Vata, Pitta & Kapha. A combination of | | | | spices in your food. Ginger, cinnamon, coriander and |
| these 3 bodily humours are responsible for the | | | | other hot spices will all work to help you reduce Kapha, |
| makeup of our human body. This article is focused on | | | | which is the key to reducing weight. The tastes you |
| the Kapha Dosha, which is responsible for fat and is | | | | should shoot for in your diet are pungent, bitter and |
| the prevalent dosha in those who are overweight and | | | | astringent. Foods with these tastes are all anti-Kapha |
| obese. Thus, from a Yogic and Ayurvedic point on | | | | and will assist in burning fat. The tastes you should |
| view, in order to burn fat and lose weight one must | | | | generally avoid are sweet, sour and salty. |
| reduce Kapha in the body. | | | | * Similarly increase salads, beans, dry cereals and |
| As a quick review the following 3 most important | | | | cooked grains in your diet. Eating foods with Vata and |
| points about Ayurveda need to be remembered: | | | | Pitta qualities will increase those doshas in your body |
| 1. The qualities of Kapha Dosha are: Wet, Cold, Heavy, | | | | and will work against increasing Kapha. |
| Dull, Soft, Sticky & Fixed | | | | * Eat one big meal a day and make it either your lunch |
| 2. Ayurvedic healing is based on the following 2 | | | | or your breakfast. |
| principles | | | | * To avoid snacking, have a glass of hot lemonade |
| * Like Increases Like | | | | made with honey. This will help burn fat and keep |
| * Opposites Decrease Each Other | | | | away the hunger. |
| 3. There are many treatment methods in Ayurveda | | | | Conclusion: |
| and of these we are focusing on Diet for weight loss | | | | I hope what you begin to see with Ayurveda is that it |
| in this article. In future posts I will detail other Ayruvedic | | | | gives you the knowledge and framework within which |
| recommendations to reduce weight, burn fat and get | | | | you can then customize the treatments you need |
| fit. | | | | using your intelligence. That's why I call Ayurveda the |
| So keeping the above in mind here are Ayurveda's | | | | science of Self Healing. Once you know the basic |
| dietary recommendations for how to combat obesity, | | | | concepts, you can readily apply them to deal with any |
| reduce fat and promote healthy weight loss. | | | | health situation that life throws at you. |
| General Diet Composition to Burn Fat: | | | | Specifically for weight loss understand the qualities of |
| * 30-40% of your diet should be whole grains. | | | | Kapha Dosha and tailor your diet and life style to |
| * 20-30% protein (from both vegetarian and | | | | reduce it. When you reduce Kapha you reduce fat. |
| non-vegetarian sources) | | | | From a dietary perspective, simply reduce intake of |
| * 40-50% mostly vegetables and some fruit. | | | | food with the same qualities and increase intake of |
| Specific Dietary Recommendations to Lose Weight: | | | | food with opposite qualities. |
| * Since like increases like, the qualities of Kapha should | | | | |