Weight Loss & Weight Gain - How Ayurveda Can Help?

Seldom you will come across a person who is satisfied with their body weight. While some people try everything under the sun to lose the extra and unwanted kilos, other pray for some healthy weight gain. There can be a plethora of factors responsible for the weight gain (unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle, overeating, or medical condition such as Hypothyroidism) and the weight loss (chronic illness, depression, parasitic or viral infections, to name a few). However, leaving the condition attended for too long will further complicate things.

Ayurveda for effective weight loss

1. As per Ayurveda, one of the underlying factors that result in excess body weight or obesity is an elevation of the Kapha Dosha and vice versa (obesity can also trigger a vitiation or an increase in the Kapha in the body).
2. Thus, to treat obesity and to facilitate a healthy weight loss, it is necessary to balance and pacify the Kapha.
3. Yoga and exercise, without any doubt, contribute significantly to the weight loss.
4. Be it the Surya Namaskar or Anulom Vilom, the yogas or pranayamas are powerful and helps to relax and calm the body (physical as well as mental). It also contributes significantly towards the detoxification process to ensure the body is free of the harmful Ama.
5. According to Ayurveda, the digestive capacity of the body is the most powerful in the period between 11am-2pm. Thus, Ayurveda suggests that the lunch should be your main meal
6. The dinner, on the other hand, should be light and preferably between 6pm-7pm.
7. Munching on snacks in between should, however, be avoided.
8. The diet should help to pacify the Kapha. Opt for light and warm foods.
9. Enrich the diet with foods such as asparagus, onion, carrots, celery, broccoli, spinach, winter squash, wheat bran, rice, quinoa, apples, pomegranate, cherry, berries, pears, figs, to name a few.
10. Keep the body hydrated and maintain a healthy sleep cycle.

Ayurveda for weight gain

1. Severe weight loss (underweight) is triggered by disorders that affect the Vata Dosha.
2. Pacifying the Vata Dosha can work wonders for a healthy weight gain.
3. The Ayurvedic approach includes switching over to a Vata pacifying diet along with exercise, yoga, meditation, healthy lifestyle practices, and a body detoxification.
4. If you want to gain weight, proper rest, a sound sleep (6-8 hours daily) and minimizing the physical, mental and emotional stress are a must.
5. A 15 minutes yoga, especially the Nadi Shodhana is known to have a soothing effect on the Vata Dosha. Practice the yoga daily without fail.
6. 3 meals a day is also recommended for weight gain.
7. The diet should contain ghee and a variety of oils (olive oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil).
8. Warm, smooth, and oily foods are highly beneficial. Include berries, avocados, pistachios, dates, peach, banana, apples, beets, avocados, garlic, cilantro, pumpkin, onion, and carrots (cooked), wheat, rice, quinoa, oats, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, cheese, butter, buttermilk, yogurt, eggs, fish (salmon, tuna, sardines), meat (chicken, turkey, duck, beef).
9. Ayurveda suggests that the body should be well hydrated.