Spices and herbs: aid to weight loss

Spices that we keep in our kitchen cabinets can help us lose weight. Dr. Smita Naram, co-founder of Ayushakti, an ayurvedic health centre, offers advice on how to lose weight without sacrificing your health.

Spice Up

Turmeric, garlic, cumin, coriander, and pepper—all of these Indian culinary staples can help you lose weight. They improve the taste of food, satisfy the taste buds, and so limit the amount of food consumed. They also aid to maintain excellent health by balancing the doshas.

Frequent and Small Meals

Instead of having a few large meals throughout the day, divide your food into smaller quantities that can be consumed more regularly. For example, dividing one meal into four servings prevents you from feeling always full or hungry.

Focus on Fibre

When you’re in the mood for a snack, don’t reach for the chips. Instead, eat a dish of moong beans. Fibre helps you stay full and energised for extended periods of time. So, wherever possible, eat foods that are high in fibre. Moong beans are high in fibre and low in calories. If you want to binge eat, beets with no-oil hummus are a good choice. If necessary, add a dash of clarified ghee. Other snacking choices include roasted moong dal or roasted makhanas.

Protein High

Protein is a necessary macronutrient for muscular growth. It is critical to consume a protein-rich meal or snack throughout the day.

CCF Tea

With cumin, coriander, fennel, and ginger, detox your system with ‘CCF tea’ (ayurvedic digestive tea blend). Drink it twice a day or on a regular basis. In a litre of water, combine one teaspoon each of cumin, coriander, and fennel seeds, as well as half a teaspoon of sliced ginger. It acts as a natural cleanse when boiled and chilled.

Detox

Every month, set aside 10 days to detox at home with a simple eating plan. Eat green moong beans and vegetable soup whenever you’re hungry for the first four days. Follow a diet of pureed thick moong and vegetable soup for the next four days, followed by moong and vegetables eaten solidly—steamed or boiled. Do it every two months for a healthy detox that will help you lose weight.

Walk

Physical activity’s role in preserving good health cannot be overstated. Practice yoga, get enough sleep, and go on walks whenever you can. If your desk work requires you to sit for long periods of time, take a stroll while taking calls or stretch and take a few steps around your desk.

Drink Lots of Water

Many of your troubles can be solved by simply drinking water. Adding more water to your daily routine will help you flush out dangerous toxins, lose weight, and give you clear skin.