Yoga Diet – At some point in yoga practice, you would face the dilemma of adopting a vegetarian diet. Yogis realized this eon back that a nutritious diet has a big impact on your overall health. Unfortunately, a hectic lifestyle often leaves very little time for you to choose a good diet and maintain the same in the long run.
It is simply not possible to ignore the needs of your body due to a hectic lifestyle or any other reason. This is where a yogic diet helps you make that transition easy. Your diet also has a huge impact on how you feel and think. If you want to stay healthy, search for the 200 hour yoga teacher training syllabus that provides in-depth knowledge of a yoga diet.
With that said, let us focus a bit on what a yoga diet comprises.
Yoga Diet – In Brief
Firstly, remember, the yogic diet is based on yoga principles of purity, non-violence, and a balanced living. This diet comprises food that works to increase your energy level, and develop balance in your body and mind.
You should understand that Rajasic and Tamasic foods are not that much a part of the yogic diet as these contain low vibration life force and toxic qualities. The major reason behind yogis voting for pure food is these do not harm any living creature. It is also why the pure or Sattvic diet is a big part of the yogic lifestyle.
Three Categories of Food
Let us now understand the three categories of food according to yoga.
1. Sattvic
As the name suggests, Sattvic (pure) foods promote good health, a long life, and improved health. These include fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, honey, nuts, and seeds, the best thing is these are easy to digest. However, keep in mind the Sattvic food items have to be grown organically, and there should not be any artificial preservatives or colors.
Note: Many spiritual and yoga gurus suggests to avoid garlic and onion from your diet. However onion and garlic are good source to improve testosterone levels and boosts the immunity. The reason to avoid onion and garlic is to keep away from that food which distracts your body and mind from meditation and concentration.
2. Rajasic
The Rajasic food items promote excess energy and overstimulate your body and mind. These lead to anger, hyperactivity, restlessness, and sleeplessness. The food items in this category include fish, black tea, sweets, chocolates, spices, eggs, and meat. Also, eating in a hurry also falls under the category of having too much Rajas.
3. Tamasic
The Tamasic diet is beneficial neither for your mind nor for the body. The foods included in this category include packaged, deep-fried, and preserved food items. Tamasic food items lead to lethargy and compromise your body’s immune system. Also, if you overeat it makes it clear you have the quality of Tamas.
Unfortunately, processed and artificial foods have become a part of our everyday lives. You can find these on the supermarket shelf. The only purpose of these food items is cost reduction and attracting the customers by disguising themselves as a healthy alternative.
3 Food Ingredients To Avoid
That said, given below are three food ingredients you should avoid at all costs.
1. High Fructose Corn Syrup
The most commonly known bad ingredient is high fructose corn syrup. This is a low-cost sweetener in comparison to sugar and made from corn starch. If you are a fan of drinks, snacks, and bread you are already consuming this one.
Unfortunately, it is time you get rid of this one as it has been known to cause obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.
2. Hydrogenated Oils
Made by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil, this is made to increase the shelf life of a food item. However, the problem starts when this oil converts to trans-fat which is linked with numerous health problems.
Moreover, the consumption of trans-fat items like fried food and coffee creamer is the cause of low good cholesterol and high bad cholesterol. In short, you are always at a risk of serious heart disease. Find out the 500 Hour yoga teacher training cost and enroll in yoga teacher training to find out the best diet for you.
3. BHT/BHA
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytulene) and BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) are additives that are used for preserving food and are also found in pesticides, rubber, and petroleum products. These two are banned in multiple countries including Canada, Australia, and Japan.
Still, you can find these in chewing gum, meat, and rice products. The shocking reality is both of these are linked with an increased risk of cancer in human beings.
Conclusion
Do you want to make good food a part of your daily diet? Do you want to practice yoga and also eat a healthy diet? Enroll in the 200 hour yoga teacher training syllabus to know about the best yogic diet.
