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Ayurvedic medicine is considered “alternative” in western culture, but has been practiced in India and surrounding areas for many years. Ayurveda focuses on holistic healing of ailments through natural remedies including the use of plants, vegetables, herbs, oils, yoga, and massage. Another part of ayurveda includes aligning and balancing energies within the body. Ayurvedic medicine is varied and personal, as each individual body has its own unique properties and nuances, but there are a few simple tips involving eating habits that can introduce you to some ayurvedic principles, as well as help you get the most from your food.
Tip number one: try not to miss meals. Without regular feedings, your body will run out of the fuel it needs. Without proper fuel, your body activates adrenalin and other hormones designed to give you a short burst of energy because it thinks there is a problem. Relying on these stress chemicals can cause adverse side effects like irritability, anger, extreme fatigue, and intense food cravings for high-fat, high-sugar, quick energy foods. The old three balanced meals per day suggestion will keep your reserves saved for when there’s a real emergency.
Number two tip: eat a big lunch and a smaller dinner. The way Americans tend to dine is by having two small meals early in the day and then a large dinner late in the evening. Ayurvedic thought says that the body’s digestive routines slow down at night, and just when you should be resting, your body instead is forced to process a big amount of food. Eat your biggest meal at lunchtime, when your body is ready for and craving fuel, and you’ll be able to more effectively burn off those calories and utilize the nutrients.
The third and final ayurvedic eating tip is to stop snacking. Many people get hungry between meals, but if you don’t take a break between bouts of food ingestions, your body can’t burn stored fat. Instead, it must focus on digesting all the new food it’s being given. Sticking to three daily meals will help your body burn fat between eating sessions.
