How can I lose weight healthily and effectively? Many people ask this question, and yet the answer looks a little different for everyone.
Because from an Ayurvedic point of view, losing weight is type-related and works best with a personalized holistic cure. But what does type-related weight loss mean at all, and what does an Ayurveda cure involve? You can find all this out here!
How Ayurveda helps you lose weight?
Diets often fail because they lump everyone together without considering the individual needs of the body and mind. Instead, Ayurveda distinguishes between three types of constitution, the Doshas: Kapha, Pitta, and Vata. Each of these three types has a different metabolism and different physical characteristics. Especially when you want to lose weight, you must pay attention to these differences.
So first of all, you must know which dosha type you are. Ayurveda helps you to adjust your diet to the natural needs of your type to reach your feel-good weight. Once you take this into account, you will find it much easier to lose weight. But what does a type-appropriate diet look like?
Reducing weight with Ayurveda nutrition
In each Dosha type, the digestive fire, called Agni, works a little differently. What one type tolerates well can quickly lead to digestive problems or overweight in the other. Therefore Ayurveda avoids generalizing diet plans and concentrates instead on type-specific nutrition. If you already know your dosha type, here are some concrete tips that you can apply immediately!
The right diet for the Kapha type
As a Kapha type, you are particularly prone to overweight and must be careful to reduce your Kapha dosha. This means that you should avoid heavy, fatty, and cold food. Even if it is difficult: Say no to sweets and fried foods and avoid dairy products and animal proteins to a large extent.
Light, dry, or hot food is right for you and gets your metabolism going. This includes low-fat foods such as apples or pears, salads, green leafy vegetables, mushrooms, and broccoli. Barley, corn, rye, and poultry are also beneficial and not too heavy. It would help if you prepared your dishes with aromatic herbs and spices like ginger or coriander. In general, for Kapha types, smaller portions are preferable!
Lose weight with the Pitta diet
Pitta types are fiery and should concentrate on steaming their fiery type in their diet. If you are a Pitta type, it is best to eliminate anything too hot from your diet. Specifically, this means that you should avoid coffee, salt, oil, and intense or hot spices.
Instead, reach for mild and bitter tastes and cold, refreshing foods. Try green leafy vegetables, cucumbers, peppers, or zucchini. Similarly, barley, oats, rice, cottage cheese, and tofu dishes are suitable for pitta types.
With fruits like apples, mangoes, pomegranates or pineapples and refreshing drinks, you can eat to your heart’s content!
Ayurveda diet for the Vata type
To lose weight as a Vata type, you need to calm your cold, dry Vata dosha. You should not eat cold foods such as salads and raw vegetables. Ice-cold drinks also increase your Vata-dosha and are not suitable for you.
Instead, warm and oily cereal and vegetable dishes and stews are especially beneficial. Rice, noodles or warm milk are just as beneficial for Vata types. Try stewed vegetables such as asparagus, beetroot and carrots, or reach for sweet fruits and berries. Spices such as cinnamon, aniseed, basil and ginger will give your food a particular spice.
But of course, these are not all the tricks of the Ayurvedic diet that you can use to reduce your weight! Regardless of your dosha type, there are also a few general things that you can consider in your diet, according to Ayurveda.
Lose weight with an Ayurvedic diet: The best nutritional tips
To ignite Agni, your digestive fire, and lose weight, we have compiled ten Ayurvedic recommendations that apply to all types:
- Take three regular meals.
- Avoid snacks between meals.
- Have only a light breakfast.
- Plan lunch as your main meal, as this is when Agni burns most.
- Do not eat anything heavy after 18:00.
- Allow at least six hours to pass between meals.
- Always consume lukewarmly and never ice-cold drinks.
- It is best to drink boiled water and season it with some ginger.
- Heating spices like chili, ginger, mustard, and cinnamon stimulate the digestive fire.
- Avoid large portions and eat only two hands full if possible.
However, proper nutrition is only one of the factors involved in losing weight. To reduce your weight, it is best to treat yourself to complete Ayurvedic treatment. This will help you achieve good results and make you feel good all around.
With an Ayurveda cure to a feel-good weight
Holistic Ayurvedic treatment includes not only a type-appropriate diet but also a good exercise plan and supporting Ayurvedic treatments. Here you can see what this means in detail.
Ayurvedic fasting cure: a short instruction
An Ayurvedic fasting cure can remove metabolic waste products from the body and achieve a rejuvenating effect. However, Ayurvedic fasting is only gentle partial fasting in order not to weaken the digestive fire.
So reduce your meals and go for bland food. Note, however, that you should avoid physical exertion during a fasting cure so that your body is strengthened for the cleansing process.
Lose weight through exercise: But how?
Regular exercise is essential to achieve real results when you want to lose weight. Ayurveda, therefore, recommends 15-20 minutes of light exercise daily.
Yoga, cycling, swimming or brisk walking are particularly suitable for this.
But be careful not to overdo it with sports. From an Ayurvedic point of view, healthy exercise should not be too strenuous, so that you can still chat easily and only sweat a little.
Reduce weight with Ayurvedic massages
An Ayurveda cure also includes stimulating massages and cleansing treatments.
The massages tighten the tissue and support your body in its purification work. As a result, the body can burn off deposited waste products and reduce fatty tissue.
The treatments use heating powders of ground grain, herbal mixtures and medicinal oils that stimulate the metabolism and relax the body.
Because relaxation is also essential for successful weight loss: Stress is a fundamental obstacle to the feel-good weight.
Ayurvedic herbs for losing weight: Triphala
In addition to your type-appropriate diet, you can also use dietary supplements to lose weight. A popular Ayurvedic supplement is the herbal preparation Triphala. It supports the body in freeing itself from waste products and toxins.
The cleansing and vitalizing effect of the herbal mixture prevents digestive disorders and makes you feel healthier. You can take Triphala every evening with some honey and warm water.
If you want to do something good for your body and lose a little weight, you should always pay attention to your personal Dosha type. A holistic Ayurvedic treatment helps you to adjust your diet to your needs. The additional treatments and massages not only help you lose weight but also increase your feel-good factor.
There is only one recommendation left: Treat yourself to a few days off with an Ayurveda treatment – your body will thank you for it!
Satvik Living 