Finding a beneficial and effective for weight loss diet can be nerve-racking. Ayurveda takes a holistic approach towards weight loss which is healthy, balanced and ensures long lasting results for body, mind and soul. It is found that the main cause of obesity is overeating, lack of exercise and irregular and wrong eating habits.

Here are some Ayurveda tips that can lead one towards a stress-free, healthy weight loss:

Eat on time:

Ayurveda recommends scheduling your meal time.  Lunch is supposed to the main meal of the day as digestion is strongest during this time of the day. Include a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients; otherwise, the body feels deprived and sends signals to the brain, which is interpreted as hunger pranks, and we overeat.

It is essential to have a light dinner, ideally between 5-6pm and never beyond 8 pm. The metabolism is slowed down with sunset, and the body is unable to digest the food effectively. The result- indigestion and weight gain. Avoid eating heavy food like cheese, yogurt, red meat and processed food in the evening.
It is best to avoid snacks in between as frequent snacking reduces the efficiency of the digestive fire.

Health drinks:

Sipping on lukewarm water throughout the day helps in cleansing the digestive system and increases the digestive fire. Ayurveda recommends the following health drinks:

Honey and pepper lemonade: Everyday, have a glass of lukewarm water mixed with a teaspoon of pepper and honey each, with 4 tablespoons of lemon juice.
Honey lemonade: Consume a glass of hot water, mixed with 4 tablespoons of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey on an empty stomach every day.
Triphala with Honey: A decoction of one glass of water and a tablespoon of Triphala is left overnight and boiled next day morning, till it reduces to half. It is filtered and mixed with two tablespoons of honey and consumed warm.

The Dosha effect:

According to Ayurveda, an imbalance in Kapha dosha can contribute to weight gain and vice versa. So it is important to neutralize Kapha with a proper Kapha pacifying diet. The diet recommended consists of light, warm, dry and easily digestible food; skip heavy, sweet, pungent, oily and salty food. Cold and stale foods also aggravate Kapha, so it is best avoided.

Restricted foods:

Ayurveda emphasizes on moderation. Overeating leads to weight gain; so eat as much as you need, not more. It is best to limit food containing excess fat and sugar (e.g. pastries, sweets etc.). Restrict salty, oily, spicy and fast food; they are not healthy. Avoid alcohol and smoking; they disrupt the whole balance in the body.

Mindful eating:

Mindful eating is about mental satisfaction than physical. Always eat in a calm and clean atmosphere. Concentrate on food, without distracting or multi-tasking. Registering the taste and smell imparts satisfaction and controls the cravings after the meal. Ayurveda also emphasizes on experiencing all six tastes: sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent.

Yoga and Mediation

Yoga when practiced along with an Ayurvedic diet can be very effective for weight loss. Yoga asanas Trikon asana, Bhujang asana, Surya Namaskar; Yoga techniques and deep breathing techniques like Bastrika Pranayama and Kapal Bhati Pranayama helps in providing considerable weight loss.

It is equally important to calm the body and mind through Meditation regularly. This helps alleviate stress, one of the main causes of weight gain and makes one more mindful.