One thing you learn early on as you're nailing down
your personal health and fitness routine is that whatever diet worked for
your best friend or mum might not be the best choice for you. Luckily, there
are many diets out there to choose from, whether it's vegan, Paleo, or Weight
Watchers.
The Ayurvedic diet is a good option as well, but
it's not as well known as its peers, so we're here to give you a little
information on this holistic way of eating. The first thing you have to know is
that Ayurveda is a traditional medical system that hails from India (it traces
back 5,000 years!), and the core principle is that you choose what to eat depending
on your body's dosha, which is a certain energy believed to move through your
body, affect your digestion, and govern physiological activity. Ayurveda
is sometimes referred to as a science of life, so it's about much more
than what you eat. It's also about balancing your mood, sleep, and general
attitude.
There are three different doshas — Kapha, Pitta,
and Vata — and although all three are present in all humans, there is one that
is your dominant. Once you figure out which one that is, you subsequently
follow the diet suggestions that come along with it. An Ayurvedic diet can
certainly help you lose weight, but it's not about counting calories or
macronutrients. It's about eating whole foods and coming back to an
equilibrium, which will help you reach your body's optimal weight.
