Lose weight and Keep it off

A major Canadian news source is reporting on a recent study that discovered the secret to losing weight and keeping it off.  There are many yo-yo diets out there that claim weight loss, but rarely is maintenance also discussed.  The study is claiming that a higher protein diet will help you feel full longer compared to eating a high amount of carbohydrates.  According to the study, it is suggested that it is best to consume more lean meats, poultry, and beans compared to starch-rich carbohydrates.  Beans or Legumes are ALSO considered to be high in protein and a recognized complex carbohydrate, so they will help make you feel full longer, give you energy, and are packed with vitamins.

Ayurveda promotes a vegetarian diet as it is shown to be the most balancing for the human body.  It is also believed that meat consumption can be detrimental to one’s physical and mental health due to the energy that is released within the body upon meat consumption and digestion.  Meat is believed to be harder to digest and can slow down the metabolic absorption thus creating toxicity within the body.  The toxicity released within the body may then lead to health issues including higher cholesterol, constipation, or more serious complications.  Whether you are a vegetarian, an occasional meat eater, or a regular meat eater, it is important to consume an array of protein sources.  Meat lacks necessary vitamins as well as fibre, whereas legumes and beans contain a good source of dietary fibre and vitamins that will keep the body functioning smoothly.

The next time you reach for a chicken breast or piece of lean meat, consider picking up some Beans/Legumes instead.  Some of my favourite varieties are Chick Peas (Garbanzo Beans), Lentils, Mung Beans, Black-eyed Peas (they are so good they named a pop band after them), and Kidney Beans.  There are so many more varieties of Beans/Legumes than what I have named above, so make sure to check your local grocery store for more options. There are so many varieties that you can find something to match your palate and preferred texture. Dried Beans/Legumes are favoured if you cannot find fresh and can be prepared by soaking them in water for a few hours or overnight and then cooking them.  Feel free to use the canned Beans/Legumes if necessary, just be aware that there are additives, including a higher amount of sodium (salt) than dried or fresh Beans.

For your reference I have included the best Beans/Legumes to consume for each Dosha.  Favouring the Beans/Legumes listed in the chart below will reduce imbalances within that dosha as well as maintain a healthy state.  The Beans/Legumes that are not listed will help keep your dosha balanced, if avoided.  It is always best to consult an Ayurvedic Practitioner prior to making any significant changes in your diet. This is primarily to ensure that you have accurately identified your dosha. Try the quiz if you haven’t so already: http://freshayurveda.com/what-is-your-dosha-3/

VATA	PITTA	KAPHA
Azuki Beans	Azuki Beans	Aduki Beans
Red Lentils	Black Beans	Black Beans
Mung Beans	Black-Eyed Peas	Black-Eyed Peas
Tofu	Chick Peas (Garbanzo Beans)	Chick Peas (Garbanzo Beans)
Mung Dal	Kidney Beans	Red Lentils
Tur Dal	White Beans	Brown Lentils
Urad Dal	Brown Lentils	Lima Beans
	Lima Beans	Mung Beans
	Mung Beans	Mung Dal
	Mung Dal	Navy Beans
	Navy Beans	Pinto Beans
	Pinto Beans	Split Peas
	Soy Beans	Tempeh
	Split Peas	Tur Dal
	Tempeh	White Beans
	Tofu