Obesity in children has become a serious issue these days. Many parents struggle to maintain a balanced diet for their kids with the growing temptations of processed and fast foods and the rush of modern lifestyle. But, what if the solution to managing obesity in children lies in the principles of Ayurveda? The best Ayurvedic doctor in Dubai recommends a few remedies to take back your child to a healthy routine, the blog ‘Ayurvedic Diet Plans for Children: Managing Obesity with Traditional Wisdom’ is all about that.
Before going for Ayurvedic solutions, it's essential to understand the issue. Childhood obesity refers to excessive fat accumulation that may impair a child’s health. The disease needs serious consideration because it potentially leads to lifelong consequences, such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. In recent times, with an increase in sedentary lifestyles, and eating disorders, childhood obesity has gone through the roof.
What can we do for our child to keep him/her healthy? Is it a strict diet or some fad exercises? No, there is something else more important: Ayurveda tells it well.
Ayurvedic diets are not that strict; they can be customized to individual needs. Below is a general outline of how you can create a balanced Ayurvedic diet for your child.
Since excess Kapha is typically blamed as the main cause of children becoming overweight, first, foods that calm Kapha can be included with nourishment for the body. Therefore, warm, light, and easy-to-digest meals should be used.
Avoid cold and heavy foods such as ice creams, cheese, and processed snacks, which can lead to further Kapha accumulation.
Incorporate spices like turmeric, ginger, and cumin, which help stimulate digestion and detoxify the body.
Encourage your child to have warm soups, stir-fried vegetables, and whole grains like quinoa, barley, and millet. These foods are not only rich in nutrients but also light on the digestive system.
One of the central philosophies of Ayurveda is to eat fresh, seasonal, and whole food. Processed foods, sweet treats, and white carbohydrates usually throw doshas out of kilter, particularly the Kapha dosha.
Include fresh fruits like apples, pears, and berries, since they are light and cleansing.
Incorporate vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach, as they diminish fat.
Ensure the child eats a lot of fiber, such as lentils, beans, and leafy greens, to help digest properly and also be satisfied.
Ayurveda explains to us how to eat rather than what to eat. Make sure the child is not eating just because he is hungry; practice conscious eating as enhanced by Ayurveda:
No Distractions at Mealtime: Teach the child to sit down without Gadgets and TV. They ought to focus on their meal.
Slow down to eat: This gives the brain time to tell the stomach that it has eaten enough, thus avoiding eating too much.
Urge smaller quantities often: This ensures that energy levels remain at a stable rate and doesn't allow Kapha to gain control.
Other than diet, there are a number of Ayurvedic herbs that can be given to your child for the management of healthy metabolic states.
1. Triphala
Triphala is a three-fruit combination: Haritaki, Bibhitaki, and Amla. This generally increases metabolism and stimulates digestion. It also cleanses the body of toxic substances, which is an important practice to balance out Kapha. With proper consultation, routine intake of Triphala will control weight.
2. Guggul
Guggul is a highly potent herb in Ayurveda, which actively burns out fats. It melts fats and is useful in childhood obesity treatment.
3. Turmeric and Ginger
Turmeric and ginger both are anti-inflammatory and best for digestive reasons. Adding these herbs to your child's meals will improve their digestion levels and maintain their Kapha level.
Diet alone is not enough to manage a health condition in Ayurveda. Lifestyle changes must support it, especially in the case of childhood obesity.
1. Encourage Physical Activity
Exercises are needed for balancing Kapha. The child should, therefore be encouraged towards an active lifestyle involving sports or cycling or swimming or even walking. It is easy to diminish screen time and encourage outdoor play.
2. Habits of Sleep
Sleep is essential in maintaining metabolic balance. Less sleep can upset doshas, which can lead to obesity. You have to make sure that your child sleeps sufficiently and, whenever possible, goes to bed early and wakes up early.
3. Daily Massage or Abhyanga
Ayurvedic massaging, especially Abhyanga, using medicated oils can stimulate the blood circulation and prevent fat collection. For expert opinion on how to incorporate this into your child's schedule, consult Dr. Jasna’s Ayurveda Clinic as we offer the best Ayurvedic treatment in Dubai.
And if the changes in diet and lifestyle do not suffice, treatment options to help cure obesity in children can also be drawn from Ayurveda. Make sure that prior to the initiation of treatment, you consult experienced doctors. Some of the treatment options available in Dubai are:
1. Panchakarma
Panchakarma is a detoxification therapy that is used to remove toxins from the body, improve digestion and other health benefits in general. It can prove to be very useful for underweight children who have problems of obesity along with other associated health issues.
2. Udvartana
Udvartana is an Ayurvedic therapy where in massage is given with herbal powder to prevent fat formation, enhance blood circulation, and detoxify the skin. This treatment can be combined with other treatments to enhance its impact.
If you would like to take professional services to deal with childhood obesity through Ayurveda, then there are plenty of holistic wellness centers in Dubai that treat kids professionally. Visit us to work out a diet, or treatment plan for your child for sustainable improvement in health. We deal with childhood obesity by integrating diet, lifestyle alteration, and specific therapies that target the root cause so as to bring about lasting improvement.
