Many are not aware that the food they eat and the liquids they drink, have strong influence on their body and mind and determine their physical and mental health. The old adage “you are what you eat” is true. Certain foods harm while certain foods heal. When we make minor changes in our diet we can look forward to major changes in our health. Yoga science educates the practitioner on healthy and unhealthy foods and develops mental control to avoid the unhealthy foods.
In this modern world many people eat the wrong foods all the time and fall sick. When they are hungry, they eat unhealthy foods like pizzas, chips, burgers and spicy-oily snacks. Everyday they drink several cups of coffee, tea, colas and regularly consume alcohol. These drinks temporarily stimulate the brain but harm the systems, increase body weight, increase acidity, bad cholesterol, increase negative stress, cause dullness, disturb the mind and lead to many diseases.
An Ayurvedic proverb says
When diet is wrong medicine is of no use.
When diet is correct medicine is of no need.
A yogic diet is a balanced diet that advocates eating the right food in the right quantity, at the right time with the right attitude. It is called Sattvic diet which is a vegetarian diet that is freshly and cleanly cooked food with love and care. It provides the essential nutrients required for maintaining the mind-body balance.
Yogic Cooking
Cooking is an important medium that can change the nature and strength of food
- Prepare food in a clean kitchen, in clean utensils, with clean hands
- Wash the vegetables and fruits well before cutting them
- Use good quality cereals and spices
- Cook food in the right consistency – do not overcook or burn
- Microwave cooking and deep frying are unhealthy
- Steaming, baking and grilling are healthy methods of cooking
- Destroy overheated oil, do not re-use them for cooking
- Have a positive attitude when cooking
- Cook food with love and not with anger or hatred
- Cook everyday; avoid eating pre-cooked frozen food
- Frozen food does not provide the necessary energy for mind and body
- Enjoy your cooking time
- Remember that food is divine “Annam Parabrahma Svarupam”
Guidelines for Healthy Eating
1. Begin your day with two glasses of warm water
2. Drink two litres of warm water during the day; avoid iced water
3. Breakfast is an important meal and do not skip breakfast
4. Drink 2 cups of green tea everyday to stimulate your mind
5. Eat vegetarian food and avoid non-vegetarian food
6. Take fruits as a meal if your lifestyle is stressful
7. Eat at regular times every day
8. Eat slowly and chew your food well
9. Eat half stomach, do not over-eat
10. Relish and enjoy your food; do not waste food
11. Eat when your mind is calm and not when angry or stressed
12. Eat when you are hungry
13. Avoid too hot and too cold foods
14. Avoid drinking water or juices during meals
15. Drink water one hour after meals
16. Focus your attention on eating; do not read or watch TV, or talk while eating
17. Snack on fruits and dry fruits
18. Avoid junk foods – chips, pizzas, spicy fried snacks, colas and alcohol
19. Avoid spicy hot, high calorie food for dinner
20. Reduce intake of frozen foods like icecreams; avoid them in the night
21. Eat early and have a light dinner; keep your stomach light when going to bed
22. Sit in Virasana or recline in Supta Virasana after meals
23. Fruit fast once a month will cleanse the digestive system