You may or may not have heard about Ayurveda, which is less of a diet and more of a lifestyle based in traditional Hindu medicinal beliefs and practices that have spanned more than 4,000 years. Many people who practice yoga or simply want to be healthier adopt this lifestyle, believing that it reduces toxins in the body and promotes a healthier earth at the same time, but what is it?

Ayurveda is based on a principal of overall life-health balance. It is believed if you practice it, you will increase your lifespan, intelligence, tone, strength, emotional health and clear-mindedness. The very basics of it are that it divides our bodily fluids and tissues into the elemental categories of earth, air, fire, water and ether. It also has three doshas, which are elemental substances that those who practice believe must be in balance for optimal health. If any of these are out of balance, we become ill in different ways.

If the Kapha dosha is out of balance, it results in sinus issues, slow digestion, obesity, poor circulation and low metabolism. If the Pitta dosha is out of balance, it results in mental health issues and quick temper, acid reflux, high blood pressure, rashes, stress and inflammatory issues. If the Vatta dosha is out of balance, we experience bloating and constipation, colds, thinning hair, insomnia and other fatigue-related concerns.

There is much more involved information, but I’ll concentrate on the eating lifestyle practice which goes along with Ayurveda. The idea is to use seasonal foods and herbs to balance out the doshas in the body. It is not meant to be a weight-loss program; however, a lot of people will lose weight using this eating practice because it cuts out processed foods. If you are always craving something unhealthy, it advises meditation until the craving is gone.

The practice also believes in eating natural foods meant for your body type. People who tend to crave pasta, chocolate, carbs and other comfort foods are likely the Vatta type. Instead, you should eat more whole fruits, cooked veggies and natural grains. People who have a big appetite and cannot seem to feel full are likely the Kapha type. It is advised you reset by eating a lot of beans, light fruits, vegetables and cut out sugars and most dairy. Those who are Pitta types don’t necessarily crave anything, but they don’t have a regular eating schedule. The practice advises eating more rice, sweet fruits and lots of spices, but not spicy foods.

The practice also believes in only eating foods which are currently in season in the area in which you live, for the health of the earth, and never eating emotionally, only when you are hungry and only until you are just satisfied. It also states you should eat a small dinner and a large lunch to maximize digestive ability during the day.

Jennifer Russo