Eat right for your body type

Tall, short, apple or pear shape?

You can be healthy at any shape, but when it comes to eating right for your type, one size doesn’t fit all.

Harness the wisdom from ancient Indian medicine, and find out what healthy foods work best with your body chemistry. Take the quiz and nab the list of food.

Air Body Type (Vata)
You might be air if you’re tall, lean and have trouble gaining weight. I also call this the “banana” body shape.  Air-types might not struggle with weight, but they have other health concerns like insomnia, dry skin and anxiety.

Balancing food: Eggs with omega-3 are a nutrient-rich, high-protein source that can help ground vata’s flighty nature.  Contrary to what most people believe, the dietary cholesterol in eggs does not raise blood serum cholesterol according to a comprehensive study from Harvard.  Adding foods and supplements rich in omega-3s to your diet may calm anxiety. Scramble your eggs with sliced mushrooms for added vitamin D… and get the complete list of balancing foods for air-types.

Fire Body Type (Pitta)
You might be fire if you’re muscular, medium built, and tend to carry weight around the mid-section when you do have a few extra pounds -- the fire type is also known as the “apple” body shape. Fire types may or may not struggle with weight, but they certain struggle with a nervous stomach.

Balancing food: Blueberries, which calm inflammation with their high-antioxidant load. They are also high in water, a boon for calming a fiery disposition.  Blend berries with soy or rice milk for a delightful cooling shake. Get the complete list of balancing foods for fire.

Earth Body Type (Kapha)
You might be earth if you’re petite, have a narrow waist, but more curves or muscles in the thighs, hips, and bottom area. Earth types tend to carry weight in the lower half of the body. They savor and enjoy rich foods, especially dairy or fiery food and they oftentimes have a slower metabolism.

Balancing food: Spicy chilies. When you feel sluggish or want to stoke the fires of your metabolism, hook into the powers of chilies.  Eating hot chilies can calm an overactive appetite and help you to burn more calories for up to one hour after you eat them.  Try a store-bought chipotle tomato salsa or simply cook one chopped jalapeno and one chopped onion in one tablespoon of canola oil. Get the complete list of balancing foods for earth.

For more from Jennifer, visit her website at SkinnyChef.com.