Daytime television personality, Rachael Ray, is helping to promote the 400-Calorie Fix diet program that teaches us that we can healthily lose weight by eating 4 meals of 400 calories per meal per day.  Although the idea of eating smaller portions on more occasions throughout the day is not a new concept, what is unique about this program is that it is one of the first we’ve ever seen that applies Ayurvedic science as the authority on what times throughout the day that each of these meals should be consumed for optimal dieting success.

The basis of what Ayurveda teaches us about when to consume these meals is that it is ideal to consume the biggest meals of your day when our agni (or digestive ‘fire’) is at the highest point.  Ayurveda tells us that just before noon our agni is peaked, making lunch the ideal time to consume our biggest portions.  Some see this as a contradiction of many Americans’ current practice of making dinner the biggest meal of the day.  Many other nutritional studies have also led us to believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  Ayurveda and the 400-Calorie Fix, however, teach us otherwise.

By adhering to the basic principles of Ayurveda and the 400-Calorie Fix, we will discover that we have more energy and use our food more efficiently by eating a light morning meal upon waking, a medium to large meal between 11am and noon, eating a second medium to large meal mid afternoon around 3pm and then finishing the day by eating one last smaller meal around 6 or 7pm.  This will lead to a healthier constitution and restore one to a healthy weight in the shortest amount of time.

As is the case with every diet program and just about every belief system for that matter, the addition of exercise and other physical activities will increase calorie burn and ultimately help you lose weight easier and faster.  The practice of yoga in the morning, getting a good night’s rest and focusing on consuming healthy and natural foods are also good recommendations for healthy Ayurveda living.