The Hot Belly Diet: A 30-Day Ayurvedic Plan to Reset Your Metabolism, Lose Weight, and Restore Your Body's Natural Balance to Heal Itself

by Suhas G. Kshirsagar, Deepak Chopra (Foreword)

From an internationally recognized physician who combines Eastern and Western medicine, a groundbreaking diet and total body health plan centered on digestive balance and metabolic transformation.The complaints that Dr. Suhas hears on a daily basis, from high body weight, low energy, and poor sleep, to headaches, unexplained congestion, and depression, all have a surprising common a weak digestive “fire.” Drawing on traditional Indian practices and principles, The Hot Belly Diet shows you how to optimize your digestive powers to foster rapid weight loss and vibrant health. At the core of this three-phase diet that makes lunch the most important meal of the day is a dish called khichadi (pronounced kitch-a-de)—a completely nutritious but incredibly easy-to-make meal that helps clear out your “ama,” or the digestive sludge that antagonizes weight loss, provokes hormonal imbalances, and ultimately triggers inflammation—the root cause of virtually all disease. This unique book also explains what foods are incompatible (milk and eggs, for example), why the sensation of hunger is essential, and how to time your meals throughout the day to avoid snacking. The Hot Belly Diet changes your relationship with food to make healthy eating—and living—effortless. Whether you’re suffering from a chronic condition, looking to prevent future illness, or just want to feel your best every day, The Hot Belly Diet will re-establish your body’s natural balance, creating a thinner, healthier, and happier you.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Diets

305 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 26, 2014

About the author

Author of The Hot Belly Diet, Ayurvedic physician, Motivational Speaker, Director of Ayurvedic Healing an Integrative Wellness Clinic & Scientist,

Reviews

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this diet. I have been on it for two weeks now and I feel awesome. It's a carb-based diet, not of donuts but of good, healthy, well-rounded and fresh meals. I don't feel myself craving sugar like I do on Paleo or Slow-Carb diets either.

What I love most about The Hot Belly Diet is that it also shows how to be healthy in your habits that don't include food. What time of day you eat, how and when to exercise, when you should go to bed, as well as the science behind all these things.

[Kirtida Gautam · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not a quick fix diet book. It's a book with insights on how to eat right and live a healthy life for the rest of your days.
Highly recommend.

[Mindy Kannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Will be doing the program starting Monday! I’ll let you know how it goes!

[Saiisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first read this title, I didn’t think it was anything I’d be interested in. I’ve always stayed clear of any kind of diets or fads.

As it turns out, the “hot belly diet” isn’t a diet at all, but refers to stoking our Agni, or the digestive fire of metabolism, while keeping our Ama (the digestive sludge) down.

Ayurveda is a conscious, holistic, integrated approach to eating, living, and leading a healthy lifestyle.

Read my full review at: http://www.nestintheforest.com/hot-be...

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

[Shaily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I followed few things from this book and it has worked wonders. I wasn't losing weight by diet or exercise or any method. But after following two rules from this book, I lost 4 kgs in a month. These two rules are drinking the hot tea concoction and avoiding all processed and starchy food. I feel lighter, my indigestion problems are solved to a large extent too. The hot tea concoction I would continue even after reaching my ideal goal. I think it is what really helped reset my metabolism and help lose weight. I recommend this everyone trying improve their metabolism and lose weight.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

very helpful reference for me!

[AP · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Read for pure interest*

In his timely book titled “Hot Belly Diet”, Ayurvedic physician Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar lays out a 30-Day diet plan for those struggling with weight loss, low energy, or other digestive-related symptoms. Deviating from other diet books that demonize certain foods or prescribe specific calorie counts, Kshirsagar’s plan is rooted in working with “agni” or your digestive fire. As Kshirsagar states, “It is not only WHAT you eat, but also WHEN, HOW, WHY, and HOW YOU DIGEST what you eat.” The diet plan is broken down into three phases, tied to preparation (detox and short-term elimination of certain foods), acceleration (reprogramming metabolism and taste buds), and transformation (incorporation of more food groups and looking beyond the plan). While the title indicates a sole discussion on diet, the book covers basic principles of Ayurvedic philosophy, highlighting that true wellness doesn’t rely on diet alone. Diet is only one factor and exercise, stress, and social relationships are equally important. Throughout the book, Kshirsagar urges readers to connect to their unique inner makeup, health goals and behavioral patterns in order to support oneself accordingly.

Pros of the book: Easily digestible and practical information. Dr. Kshirsagar guides the reader through every step of the process, starting by explaining why what you are doing right now isn’t working (debunking common myths such as continual snacking, carb-cutting and gluten-free diets). He subsequently provides an Ayurvedic alternative and supports his suggestion using the latest research. As a minor side note, I do like that the use of frozen fruits and vegetables is mentioned if one can’t purchase its fresh counterpart.

Cons: Limited collection of recipes provided and the high-flying result promises seem a little far-fetched but can’t say unless you try it for yourself!

Quotes I liked:
- “Health is our innate state”
- “Health isn’t the ultimate aim in life. Good health allows you to fully participate in life.”
- “Your perception of the world - and of yourself - is from what you take in and how you metabolize not just calories, but all of your experiences”
- “There will always be an available and reasonably-sounding excuse for not taking better care of yourself”
- “Your body only wants to heal” - sometimes we don’t need to try so hard
- “You are not only what you eat, but also when, why, how, and where”
- “We can’t treat the body like a dumb machine and then expect it to take care of us”
- “Love is the ultimate medicine. When you are loved and you love well, every cell in your body is allowed to work at maximum capacity”

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book; would have been phenomenal with a bit better editing. (For instance, the same recipe appears at 2 places in the book — at once place it says it serves 1, and at the other place it shows that same recipe as serving 2-3. For a book about diet, this kind of error matters.) There were a few places like that where the presentation could have been cleaner, to make the book more usable.

[Fiona Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only book I have ever read on changing your lifestyle and eating correctly that made sense to me from page one to the end. You will probably have most of the things you need in your cupboard and even implementing one small new good habit suggested here can make big changes.

[Kiana]

این کتاب با ترجمه کاوه محمدی از نشر تاش موجوده.
برای بهبود ارتباط شما با غذا، اگر اضافه وزن یا حتی اگر درگیر بیماری هستین برای بهبود با رژیم غذایی و بطور کل استفاده از غذا بعنوان دارو، میتونه کتاب خیلی مفیدی باشه.
من که کلی یاد گرفتم.

[Mariuska Petruska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simplemente me ha cambiado la vida. De una situación desesperante a un magnífico retorno a la salud y el bienestar.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this book when I looked for some supplement to ignite the digestive fire because my TCM doctor pointed out that my digestion was really weak. So when I found triphala and trikatu, this book kept appearing along the herbal supplements, out of curiosity I ordered the book . OK, why not? I could do the fast as well since I already have the supplements.

After three weeks on the diet, my TCM doctor was quite pleased, remarked that the spleen and liver meridian (digestion) were getting stronger and stable. Fire ignited, I am in phase 3 and quite happy that I can soon eat other things as well. Furthermore, I plan to follow the guidelines to keep the digestion kicking and running.

[Bookish In Orlando · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book through the first reads program. Review to come once I receive the book. Can't wait to see what this diet is all about.

Review -

I loved this book. I am very new to learning about and being interested in Ayurveda medicine, this book is filled with great advice and was amazing for someone like me who knew nothing about Ayurveda diets.

Before starting this book I already knew I had a lot of digestive issues(mainly indigestion), foggy brain, and just a general fatigued and groggy feel on a daily basis. After reading the book I decided to start Dr. Suha's plan, and I am so happy I made that decision.

Since being on the Hot Belly diet my digestion has been great, my indigestion has nearly vanished, I've gone to having it 1-2x a month opposed to 10x+, I feel my mental sharpness has peaked, and I've lost 9lbs! Which is just an added bonus for me since I was not actively trying to lose weight.

If you are looking for a plan to help with digestion, fatigue, mental clarity, and weight loss, I definitely recommend this book.

[Jennifer Iiames · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of interesting information. From a nutrition professional perspective, there is nothing in here that rubs me the wrong way or seems unhealthy. However, I don't feel like enough information is given for someone to manage the diet on their own. Several things in the book contradict themselves and there is not much guidance on how to manage the side effects that can occur. I followed the diet for a few weeks (without the castor oil) but did not complete the full 30 days due to the side effects and feeling so poorly.

[Priya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book talks about the ayurvedic method of eating, but covers not only a diet plan but also other aspects like what time to eat, sleep etc and the logic behind this.
I have not tried the diet, but have taken away a few key points that I am trying to implement like drinking hot water through out the day, eating more during lunch, sleeping on time.
The time slots that he has given for breakfast, lunch and dinner I am not able to implement due to meetings and work.
A good read to get a few pointers and a little understanding of the Ayurvedic diet.

[Tracy Wilson]

interesting. I will incorporate a few ideas but dont think I could live this way

[Charu Mohan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will be my go back to book whenever i seek any diet related information.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this book had a different title. Recommend it to anyone who is feeling sluggish, tired, and wants to make a change in their life. A soft introduction to Ayurveda.