Monday, November 16, 2009

Weight Loss through Ayurveda

The word ayurveda literally means 'Science of Life'. It is the fastest growing form of alternative medicine in the world. Using only simple and natural remedies, it works from a fundamental level and ensures that your body stays strong and healthy.

The key to weight management is effectively metabolizing what you eat, getting rid of waste efficiently and letting the digestive system get a break in between meals.

Eat three meals a day - a small breakfast and dinner, and a hearty lunch... don't forget to add a healthy mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack if you feel hungry.

Do not fast or skip meals. Fasting will only disrupt metabolism by not giving it anything to 'work on', on the days that you fast. Same with skipping meals - if your digestive system does not get something to work-on at the same time each day, it will not function at peak efficiency when you do eat.

Most of us today follow unhealthy eating habits. We skip breakfast, have a hurried lunch and binge on an enormous dinner, just before going to bed.

According to ayurveda, your digestive agni - the "fire" in your stomach that cooks the food you eat and makes it into 'rasa', the nutritional essence that builds healthy cells and tissues, is most active around noon. That's why ayurvedic teachings recommend that the largest or heaviest meal of the day should be lunch.

An ayurvedic vegetarian lunch would normally include two or three servings of cooked veggies, a lentil dish, a whole grain, a chutney and lassi. Breakfast and dinner should consist of easily digested foods.

For breakfast, eat a fruit and warm cooked cereal. For dinner, eat light one-dish meals or soup.

Apart from this, make sure you exercise on a daily basis and get enough sleep each night.

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