Yoga and Diet: By Amalia Shakti

Many of us worry about getting enough protein if we switch to vegetarian food, also that everything will be tasteless. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Vegetarians get lots of protein in legumes, grains and so on. The quality of the protein is more important than the quantity alone. Dairy products, legumes, nuts and seeds provide the vegetarian with an adequate supply of protein.

There is a cycle in nature known as the “food cycle” or “food chain”. The Sun is the source of energy for all life on our planet; it nourishes the plants (the top of the food chain) which are then eaten by animals (vegetarian), which are then eaten by other animals (carnivores). The food at the top of the food chain, being directly nourished by the Sun, has the greatest life promoting properties. The food value of animal flesh is termed as “second-hand” source of nutrition, and is inferior in nature. All natural foods (fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and grains) have, in varying quantities, different proportions of these essential nutrients. As source of protein, these are easily assimilated by the body. However, second-hand sources are often more difficult to digest and are of less value to the body’s metabolism.

Yoga has been always connected with Ayurveda (the Science of Life). Central to Ayurveda is the concept of different body types, each of which thrives on different kinds of foods. Vata types, for example, need grounding foods like oils and grains. Pitta types are supported by cooling foods, such as salads and sweet fruits. Kapha types benefit from heating and invigorating foods. Just a few people are strictly one type, and most in fact are a combination of at least two types. Each individual must therefore find a personal balance of foods to fit his or her own unique constitution.

Sattvic foods are considered to be the most pure form of food and are the center of yoga diet. Fruits, vegetables, grains etc. are considered to be sattvic foods as they are easily digested and provide proper nutrition to the body. pure, simple, natural foods which are easily digested and promote health. Processing, refining and overcooking destroy much food value. An alkaline diet also helps to calm the mind and create equilibrium between mind and body. It is a diet that emphasizes, to a varying degree, fresh fruit, vegetables, roots and tubers, nuts, and legumes. Almost all foods that we eat, after being digested, absorbed, and metabolized, release either an acid or an alkaline base (bicarbonate) into blood. Fish, meat, poultry, shellfish, cheese, milk, and salt all produce acid. Consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables decreased.

Alkaline diet helps the body weight control. As soon as the acidic environment is eliminated, there will be no need for new fat cells to form, and the remaining fat in your body is no longer needed to store acid wastes, and therefore simply melts away.

Though overeating can sabotage your practice by making you groggy and too full to go deeply into the postures, fasting and underrating can have a more debilitating effect. For vata or pitta types, skipping a meal can cause not only low blood sugar and dizziness, but may lead to further health complications such as constipation, poor digestion, and insomnia.

It’s a matter of being mindful and intelligent to discovering your personal path to balance and growth. Balance is the key, both in your overall personal diet, and in designing each meal. You must take into consideration a number of factors: the balance of ingredients in the dish, your available time to prepare the meal, the season of the year, and how you’re feeling today.