Ayurveda has put emphasis on food, not only for its basic nature as a fuel for running the body but also for its overall impact on the health of a person. Food taken for balancing the doshas, keep one fit and fine. If anyhow, someone develops diseases, ayurveda cures them also through natural ways. For obesity or unnatural weight gain, Ayurveda suggests to improve food habits and taking diet according to Ayurvedic body type.

Ayurvedic Foods for Weight Loss

Ayurvedic food for balancing all the three doshas include, cooked oatmeal, psyllium chapattis or flatbreads, khichari, mung dal soup, lauki squash, green leafy vegetables, stewed fruit, lassi, ginger lemon appetizer drink, spiced tea, spiced milk, pomegranate chutney, spice mix, and many more. From among innumerable dosha balancing food, there are some that are specifically beneficial for losing weight. Some of such food recipes are described below.

Recipes for Weight Loss

Khichdi:
Khichdi can be described as a porridge type of dish prepared from mung lentil and rice as the main ingredients. Various herbs and spices make it a healing recipe for various diseases. Ayurvedic therapies use it for cleansing due to its ease of digestion and assimilation. Khichari can be eaten by persons with any type of doshas but is especially good for vata.

Ingredients:

• • 3/4 cup basmati rice
• • 1/2 cup split moong dal (lentil)
• • 1/2 tbsp ghee or sesame oil
• • 1 tsp cumin seeds
• • 1 tsp mustard seeds (optional)
• • 1/4 tsp hing also called Asafoetida
• • 1/2 inch finely chopped ginger
• • 1/2 tsp turmeric
• • 1/2 tsp salt
• • 1/2 tsp red chili powder
• • 4 to 6 cups of water depending upon the consistency desired.

Directions:

• • Wash the lentil and rice together.
• • In a heated heavy-bottomed saucepan or pressure cooker add Ghee (clarified butter) or oil.
• • When ghee gets warmed, add hing, cumin and mustard seeds. Wait till the seeds crackle.
• • Add chopped ginger, sauté for about 30 seconds.
• • Add rice and dal, turmeric, salt and chili powder.
• • Mix in gently.
• • Add water and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. If using saucepan, cover it, reduce heat to low and cook undisturbed until soft for about 30 minutes.
• • Switch off heat, let khichari rest for 5 minutes.
• • If using pressure cooker, cook the khichdi for one whistle.
• • Let the cooker cool off.
• • Fluff it up gently with a spoon, add a tablespoon of ghee (optional) and serve.

Yellow Mung Lentil Soup:
Simply called 'dal' in India, mung lentil soup is an excellent Ayurvedic diet which reduces the effects of Kapha and Vata Doshas. The spices and cilantro(coriander), used in this preparation reduces the Pitta Dosha. It is light and easily digestible. Anyone can have it without any worry about gaining weight.

Ingredients:

• • 1 cup of yellow split mung dal ( yellow lentil)
• • 6 cups of water
• • 1/2 tsp. black mustard seeds
• • 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• • 2 tbs. of ghee (clarified butter)
• • 1 pinch of hing (Asafoetida)
• 2 tbs. freshly chopped fresh cilantro (coriander) leaves
• • 1/2 tsp. rock salt
• • 1/2 tsp. ground coriander seeds

Directions:

• • Wash the Mung dal.
• • Add the dal and water together in a pot. Cook for 30 minutes.
• • Stir the mixture occasionally till the lentil becomes soft.
• • Add Ghee to another pan and heat at medium heat.
• • Add all the spices when hot.
• • Now add this spiced Ghee mix to the soup.
• • Garnish with chopped cilantro leaves.
• • Have it alone or with whole wheat chapattis or rice.

Apart from having light, digestible and dosha balancing foods, reduce weight by natural ways by following the below tips:

• • Mix one spoon of honey and juice of one lemon in a glass of lukewarm water. Drink it on an empty stomach every morning. It helps in activating metabolism which reduces fat from body.
• • Drink lots of water. It helps in flushing out toxins.
• • Increase fruit and vegetable intake.
• • Include Mint, Carrot, Ginger, Cinnamon and Black Pepper in your food recipes. They are excellent detoxifying agents.
• • Include fiber-rich food like Oat Brans, Beans, Lentils, Fruits, Vegetables, especially green vegetables like Broccoli, Asparagus, Kale, Cabbage, Green Beans etc. in your diet.
• • Exercise regularly. If not heavy work-outs, at least go for walking, jogging or swimming.