Ayurvedic tips for better digestion: Complete guide

Digestive system out of whack? Feeling bloated, with excess gas – or just not like yourself these days?

Gut issues are no fun, but sadly we accept to live with them.

Tummy troubles shouldn’t become your new normal! Good News? Ayurveda can help.

In this article, you will learn and be able to apply immediately these Ayurvedic tips to better your digestion.

For your own unique constitution. Yeap.

These are not generalized suggestions just for everyone. We both know that doesn’t work.

These advices are tailor made for your body type. You deserve it!

AYURVEDA AND AGNI

Ayurveda, the ancient healing system, puts your digestion at the core of every other function in your body, and teaches that most diseases are initiated by the malfunctioning of the digestive system.

Yet, most still don’t get the relationship between diet, lifestyle, and gut health.

This is important:

According to a study by the US National Library of Medicine, diet and lifestyle can have major impacts on human health. Also, the journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine mentions this vital connection.

The authors say, “What makes Ayurveda relevant today is its subtle understanding of the environment and its focus on the generation of good health through one’s own lifestyle choices. The digestive system has long been an area of critical importance within the Ayurvedic system and is only now being acknowledged by modern science as a key component in the regulation of physical and mental well-being.”

Let’s face it.

It’s evident that the way we live and the foods we eat determine how well our digestive system works.

You know? A great deal of people have experienced at one time or another digestive problems.

I know I have.

I struggled with acid reflux for years!

Until one day, I started implementing Ayurveda suggestions in my own life. I know Ayurveda has worked for me and my clients. Do you ever wonder what life would be like with a flat stomach, no bloating, no cravings, a healthy weight? Well, that’s exactly how you will feel after applying these tips consistently.

Listen –

There is an important Ayurvedic concept worth visiting first: Agni.

You are not what you eat. You are what you digest.

Agni, as it’s called in Ayurveda, is your digestive fire which is oh-so important for your health.

This internal fire is the one responsible for:

• Absorbing nutrients from the foods you eat
• Getting those nutrients to the rest of your body
• Destroying bugs and germs to keep you healthy
• Supporting healthy digestive and circulatory systems
• Giving you the glowing look. Yes! it helps with having clear skin
• Digestion of experiences – I know, who’d have known?

These are some of the symptoms you might be experiencing if your agni is not working the way it should:

It’s so important to recognize in yourself these digestive maladies. The thing is that they may seem now just as a reaction to one meal. But, not healing them can result in more severe illnesses down the road.

Something small can become something huge.

The power is in the now. And that’s what’s so amazing about Ayurveda: it shifts the focus to prevention.

WHAT IS MY AYURVEDIC CONSTITUTION?

Tummy issues differ greatly from one person to another. Obviously.

We are just not built in the same way.

In Ayurveda, something truly amazing, is that health recommendations are always based on your unique body type. This is powerful because, you are able to take individualized steps towards restoring your health by learning what constitution you are, instead of following the masses and their trendy diets that don’t work.

These are the three main types of constitutions or doshas and the elements they are made up of:

• Vata – Air & Space
• Pitta – Fire & Water
• Kapha – Water & Earth

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ARE YOU VATA?

Then follow these tips to improve your digestion:

ARE YOU PITTA?

Do this then:

ARE YOU KAPHA?

This is what you need to do:

1. DON’T OVEREAT!

This one is huge!

I was guilty of this one a lot! That’s because, for many years, I followed restrictive diets that kept me hungry.

So, when I had the chance to have my “cheat meal” of the week, I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t control myself. I used to eat everything I had in front of me and still want some more. Because, you know? It was the only day I could eat whatever I wanted.

Does this sound familiar?

We both know this is for sure the wrong approach.

You need to avoid overeating. But, how? You may ask.

• Fill up your plate with veggies
• Set a clear purpose for your meal, like a mantra. I like this one: “This food is nourishing and healthy. And this portion is enough for me to feel balanced”
• Feel your stomach. Visualize it. When you feel you are like 75% full, stop eating.
• Or, if that sounds too difficult, try the “burp rule”. First burp = Stop eating. It means you had enough and you are not hungry anymore.
• Increase your fiber intake to keep you full for a longer time.

2. CHOOSE WARM LIQUIDS

I know. This one sounds kinda weird.

Everyone loves their water with ice.

However, there is nothing so bad for your digestion. What it does? It puts an end to your agni. Basically, after drinking something cold, you are left with no power to digest your food.

I am not asking you to drink your water hot, particularly if you are Pitta or live in a hot climate. However, warm to room temperature is fine for most. This is one of the most important Ayurvedic tips for better digestion.

3. DON’T COMBINE FRUITS WITH OTHER FOODS

Ayurveda’s explanation for this principle is pretty logical.

Fruits are the quickest foods to get digested. More so than veggies.

Did you know that they only take like a couple of hours?

Think of this: If you combine them with other foods, even vegetables, they will have to stay in your stomach for a longer time than needed and they will start to rot. That will produce improper digestion and gas.

You see my point, right?

Therefore, eat fruits by themselves.

4. DON’T EAT IF YOU ARE CONSTIPATED

This one is a very common mistake people make.

You shouldn’t add food to your body when it’s still struggling to digest the previous batch.

It’s like having your computer completely blocked, but you are still attempting to download efficiently an application. Of course, the computer will run even slower or not at all.

Do yourself a favor. Wait to eliminate, and then, eat something easy to digest, cooked with the right spices and in the right way for your dosha.

5. TRIPHALA

I swear by this one!

Triphala is an ayurvedic herb that is best taken about 2-3 hours after your last meal and right before you go to bed.

While you are sleeping it works wonders in your body, detoxifying and rejuvenating it.

And the next day? You will become a regular.

Every. Single. Morning.

It’s also not habit forming, so you can stop it at any time.