3-Season Diet
The 3-Season Diet was developed by John Douillard, DC, leading practitioner in Ayurvedic medicine, natural health, and fitness. He’s the director of the LifeSpa Retreat Center and Clinic in Boulder, Colorado where he offers personal consultations. Dr. Douillard has also written and produced numerous health and fitness books, CDs, and DVDs.
The 3-Season Diet calls for a different diet plan each season. Although there are four seasons, there are three primary harvests: fall, spring, and summer. Eating with the seasons allows you to eat as nature intended.
During the fall and winter, the diet calls for foods high in protein and fat. During the spring, low-fat foods are recommended, and during the summer, a high-carbohydrate diet is said to be best. Dr. Douillard says that the body naturally craves soups, nuts, warm grains, and protein like meat and fish during the winter to stay warm; low-fat foods like salads, berries, and leafy greens in the spring to feel light; and naturally high-carbohydrate foods like fruits and vegetables in the summer to keep the body cool.
Dr. Douillard explains why it’s important to make lunch the largest meal of the day and allow adequate time to enjoy food. He discourages snacking, stating that it’s counterproductive to weight loss efforts and might lead to hypoglycemia.
According to Ayurveda, eating with the seasons, for your body type, and at the right time of day, in combination with an exercise routine, helps you reach a healthy weight and high energy levels.
Foods to include:
- Winter/Fall: soups, nuts, grains, meats, and fish
- Spring: salads, sprouts, berries, and leafy greens
- Summer: fresh fruits and vegetables
Foods to avoid:
- Processed foods
- Fast food
- Foods not in season
Pros:
- Emphasizes whole foods
- Eating with the seasons allows your body to return to its natural rhythm
- Book includes extensive food glossary listing origin and nutritional qualities of each food
Cons:
- No step-by-step program
- May be difficult for some to eliminate all processed foods
- Not a quick weight loss solution
Sources:
John Douillard’s The 3-Season Diet
Life Spa www.lifespa.com (Links to an external site.)
