If you are trying to put on weight it could be that you do not have an appetite to eat or you are eating the wrong types of food. This may be, ayurvedically speaking, due to low agni or slow metabolism. This can cause indigestion, bloating, ama or toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, a coating on the tongue, lack of energy and bad breath.
One of the easiest ways to increase the appetite is surprisingly not to eat! If you skip breakfast and do not eat snacks – by lunch an appetite will probably return.
Research shows that it is often not eating at the right times that causes lack of appetite when it comes to eating lunch or evening meals. Sometimes combining drinking, particularly cold drinks, with eating that reduces agni or the digestive fire. Change your lifestyle pattern. Try eating breakfast and lunch at the right times – even if it is only eating a small amount.
If the appetite has not returned by lunchtime increase the agni by cutting up some fresh ginger and put some lemon or lime juice and a little salt on it prior to eating. Low appetite can sometimes be due to emotional reasons. If this is the case drink Coolherbals Ginger, Brahmi and Chamomile tea. Use one teaspoonful to a cup of hot water. Let it steep for 5-10 minutes and then drink it.
Are all food same? No. Some help increases weight and some reduce. In Ayurveda, we say foods that increase weight are called Kapha foods. These tend to have more the heavier of the 5 elements, namely earth, and water, in them. These include rich foods such as milk, dairy products, nuts, meat, and wheat.
It may be tempting to eat more and exercising less if you are desperate to put on weight but remaining healthy is important so try avoiding non-healthy activities.
Let us know if you need further advice by contacting Sushma Bhanot or Ravi Bhanot at info@coolherbals.com
Ravi Bhanot
