Ancient Yoga has always been a concept which includes discipline in human lifestyle and food. Nowadays, the West seems to have adapted to eating habits from ancient yoga. And it has modified it according to the current scenario for improving the overall health. People practicing hatha yoga have to restrict themselves from abnormal eating habits which can prevent obesity and other disorders. Intake of fresh vegetables and fruits encourages healthy lifestyle. The relation between yoga and the Indian diet is quite ancient. Ancient yoga techniques include ayurvedic treatments which consists of use of herbal products, proper diet, yoga and meditation. This ayurvedic treatment has proved quite beneficial to treat various metabolic and neurotic disorders. This concept has been widely popular and adapted by West.
Learn more about Ayurveda, its diet, principles and benefits here.
According to yoga philosophy, the 3 most important types of food in traditional Indian yoga diet are:
- Sattvik: unprocessed, fresh, raw and free from preservatives. We consume it raw, steamed or slightly cooked. It is soothing, non-constipating, detoxing and also helps in increasing life span, strength and comfort.
- Rajasik: low in minerals, vitamins and other nutrients. It includes fried, highly seasoned, alcoholic, processed substances and sweets. We avoid it in the Indian yoga diet because it can cause can cause discomfort and illness.
- Tamasik: low in cellulose, vitamins and minerals. It is usually prepared with excess spices, seasonings and salts. Yoga doesn’t recommend it as it causes laziness and intolerant temperament.
Introduction
According to the Indian philosophy, the yoga diet is considered as a sacred entity. Bhagavad Gita has mentioned about ’Yuktaahar’ which means balanced diet. Yogic diet is basically diet which is beneficial for the practice in yoga and helps in spiritual progress. According to the ancient scriptures the quantity of the food, quality, timing and order of taking food is very important. Before performing pranayama, a proper diet is necessary. One must learn to control the diet so that one can perform the yogic practice successfully. Apart from doing yoga, one must also have a balanced sleep and balanced food.
To learn more about different types of pranayama and their benefits, head here.
Improper eating habits can result in various disorders, behavior, thoughts and actions. A combination of right amount of proteins, vitamins and carbohydrates is a balanced diet. Having enough water is equally important. In the end, if the person is happy and healthy is all that matters. Proper amount of nutrition differs from person to person with respect to age, sex etc. In the modern world, there are a lot of food options. And it is quite challenging to choose a consistent pattern in foods. Let’s investigate if the Indian yogic diet can make the process easier for you.
Types of Foods in Traditional Indian Yoga Diet
Sattvik Food
Sattvik diet is basically yogic diet that is an unprocessed food which is fresh and raw and free from preservatives. The best thing about Sattvik food is that we consume it raw, steamed or slightly cooked. We use very little amount of spices and seasoning in this type of food. Yoga recommends such type of food as it is full of nutrition but still quite simple. It contains cellulose and high quantity of minerals. These are either sour or sweet like tomato salad.
One of the main properties of sattvik food is that it is natural, fresh, soothing and non-constipating. It comes in the category of positive food type. They are energy providing foods. Diet of Sattvik food contains carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and vitamins. They include foods like pulses, whole wheat flour, vegetables, fruits, sprouts, carrots, yogurt, salad, soups, honey, jaggery, nuts, cow milk, root etc. This is a pure and balanced diet which helps in increasing energy, happiness and calmness. It also helps in increasing life span, strength and comfort.
The most important benefit of Sattvik food is that it helps in digestion and detoxification of the body. It provides a pleasant experience for both mind and body. Sattvik foods are quite soothing and rejuvenating. They help in enhancing longevity, health and spirituality. This type of food is so refreshing that it gives clarity of mind.
Tamasic Food
Unlike sattvik food, tamasic food is low in cellulose, vitamins and minerals. One usually prepares it with excess spices, seasonings and salts. Yoga doesn’t recommend such foods. They cause feelings of laziness and people consuming them can have intolerant temperament. These foods can be starchy, spicy, fried and fatty which are quite unhealthy for the body. They are not only poor in minerals but also quite acidic in nature. They encourage behavior like selfishness, mood swings, indiscipline etc. This type of food is hard to digest and can result in problems like constipation and loose motions.
Tamasic food contains too much fat which can result in obesity. Example of tamasic foods are white flour, chilies, black pepper, alcohol, preserved fruits, jam, jelly, flavored drinks, sausages, pickles, papad, bakery products etc. Foods which are not cooked properly, stale foods and leftover also comes in the category of tamasic foods.
People suffering from depression and chronic ailment must avoid such kind of foods. It makes the person dull and angry and hinders spiritual growth. Also, it lowers the life expectancy. It not only increases laziness in the body but also promotes weakness and pessimism in a person. People consuming tamasic food have anger issues and so, according to yogic philosophy, one should avoid it.
Rajasic Diet
Rajasic diet is low in minerals, vitamins and other nutrients. They lead to acidity, hyperacidity and cause problems like indigestion and constipation. This type of food is stale and fermented. It includes friend, highly seasoned, alcoholic, processed foods and sweets. It adds fat to the body and causes uneasiness in the body.
One should refrain from this type of diet as it can cause discomfort and illness. Caffeinated drinks are all included in rajasic diet. These are tea and coffee, hot chilies, mushrooms, garlic, tobacco, junk foods, excess sugary foods, stale food etc. It is so over stimulating that it causes feelings like jealousy, anger and selfishness. Usually leaders and fighters prefer such type of diet as it increases intelligence, excitement and confidence. They are responsible for various health problems like obesity, arthritis, diabetes etc. These foods can cause anxiety and depression as well.
According to yogic scriptures, we should avoid foods that are salty, bitter, sour like mustard, alcohol, flesh foods, garlic etc.. Yogis should avoid stale food and excessive dry and acidic food. Wholesome foods should be the diet of a yogi. These are grains, wheat, barley, rice, ghee, vegetables, dry ginger, pulses like moong etc. Yogic literature recommends taking any food in moderation and not in excessive quantity. As excess of anything is unhealthy, one should avoid overeating.
Proper Indian Yoga Diet
Yogis practice pranayama for long hours. So one should consume any easily digestible food. Similarly excessive sleep is unhealthy for a yogic. A yogi should fill their stomach half with food, one quarter with water and fourth quarter should be empty so that there is movement of air.
It is mentioned in yogic scriptures that when the air enters the sun energy channel, that is the proper time for a yogi to have his meal. Similarly, when the air enters the moon, it’s the perfect time for a yogi to sleep. When a yogi is about to perform pranayama, he should be neither too full nor too hungry. It is advisable to have some milk or butter before pranayama. All other foods before pranayama must be avoided. There is a phrase ”mithara” in which a person fills half its stomach and the rest is left to please the god.
This is a sentiment which a yogic should have as it will bring harmony between mind and body. In this way, a proper attitude while consuming yogic diet is equally important. Usually the yogic diet is vegetarian which is easily digestible. This food is full of energy and quite healthy. This helps in lowering risk of heart disease, maintaining blood pressure and cholesterol. Yogic diet is designed in such a way that a person practicing yoga stays fit and never gets sick. This yogic diet can also be followed by people with unhealthy lifestyle so that it can help them in their everyday yoga practice and improving their health.
Conclusion: Indian Yoga Diet Balances the Mind and Body
Many studies have been conducted on yoga practitioners on their diet and their attitude towards food which showed improvement in fulfillment of the body and self acceptance. It also helped in reducing eating disorders, compulsive eating and food quality. Disorders like anorexia and bulimia can be dealt properly if the yogic diet as well as yoga practice is followed. It takes a lot of time when one uses clinical methods in dealing with problems like anxiety, depression etc. but with the help of proper diet and yoga it can be treated quickly.
So according to the perspective of a yogic, a proper diet is not only nutritional. It is also the one that helps in fueling the body for practice to prevent injury. The correct yogic diet is the one that does little harm as possible, builds the prana and sattva and makes a person feel good physically and emotionally.
References:
https://www.artofliving.org/in-en/yoga/oga,yoga-and-food/types-food
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4479904/
https://www.healthandyoga.com/html/food/raja.aspx
https://isha.sadhguru.org/us/en/wisdom/article/why-vegetarianism
http://contemplative-studies.org/wp/index.p
hp/2018/12/28/promote-healthy-eating-and-physical-activity-in-adolescents-with-yoga/
Shanti Arunkumar, Senior Contributor At L’Aquila Active
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