Yoga diet principles play an important part in your yoga practice. Food is what builds up our body, we are what we eat. Type of food and its quality affects your physical as well as mental health.
Overview
There are many who incorrectly compare a vegan diet to a yogic or yoga diet. So what exactly is a yogic diet?
A yogic diet follows very simple rules, such as focusing on nutrition (rather than the taste), eating in moderation (avoiding alcohol, meat), maintaining discipline (eating at fixed times), etc.
Yoga diet emphasizes on natural sources of nutrition – whole grains, seasonal fruits, vegetables, milk, honey and dry fruits.
You should include the following things in your yogic diet.
Yogic Diet should be Sattvic
In yogic and Ayurvedic philosophy, Sattvic diet is considered to be purest diet, that nourishes the body and maintains a peaceful state.
Sattvic foods include: Wholemeal bread, fresh fruit and vegetables, milk, butter and ghee, legumes, nuts, seeds, sprouted seeds, honey and herb teas
Yogic diet is vegetarian
Animal protein contains too much uric acid and other toxins that is hard for the liver to break down; and a lot of it is deposited in the joints and tissues, leading to problems such as arthritis and cancer. Uric acid is a toxin, an irritant in the bloodstream, that makes it harder to reach the higher, clear meditative state .
Nuts, dairy products, leafy greens, and legumes are full of high-quality protein that is readily digestible, utilized by the body quickly and efficiently. Their main residue is cellulose, which is inert, and does not pollute the body.
A yogic diet should contain fresh foods
If possible, always prepare a fresh meal. Avoid frozen, prepared, packaged and left-over foods.
Go for organic if available, and avoid caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners.
Eat at regular intervals
A yogic diet suggests you eat regularly and at least two hours before asana practice or sleep.
The body has cycles, and functions best when these cycles are regular and steady. The same goes for our meal times, you body will better utilize the energy throughout the day as it anticipates intake of calories at those fixed times.
Quantity Of Food
Most yogis suggest you fill 50 percent of your stomach with food, 25% with water and leave 25% of your stomach empty. By overeating, your abdominal system is strained and body becomes sluggish, and could lead to gaining of extra weight.
Take time to fast.
The yogis recommend fasting one day each week. You may have water and fruit juices on your fasting day. Soe choose to fast once a month (Ekadashi, the 11th day of each lunar month, is considered auspicious).
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