Yoga doesn’t end with poses; it starts with feeding your body right. If you are also unaware of Yogic Diet, here is a fantastic blog that will help you know what it is and how it can help you.
Let us begin!
Knowing Yogic Diet
Yogic Diet is a balanced diet of ancient Yogis who believed that food is not only for physical well-being but also affects our thoughts and, ultimately, our spiritual and emotional well-being. Thus a diet should be Lacto vegetarian, which means it should be made up of non-animal products except for dairy products and honey.
A Yogic Diet gives you the same feel and energy you derive from yoga. To have a Yogic diet, one does not have to become yogic; just a desire for happy and healthy living is a must.
If you are a meat eater and wish to follow a Yogic Diet, you must continue eating meat and fish all at once. You must gradually reduce their intake and finally stop it. As you enjoy other vegetarian foods, you can also give up on poultry and fish. To attain a perfect balance in mind and body, you must eat the right food.
Sattvic Food
Sattvic Food is what Yogic Diet includes. These foods are pure and life-giving, promote health, and give strength and relaxation to your body and mind. These include fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, honey, and whole grains. Things that are grown initially and are preservative-free. These foods are easy to digest and are considered food for the soul.
Rajasic Food
Rajasic food makes you energetic, causing sleeplessness, hyperactivity, restlessness, and anger. Foods that come under Rajasic Diet are meat, fish, coffee, tea, sweets, and chocolate. These food are mostly spicy, sour, bitter, dry, and salty.
Tamasic Food
Highly processed, preserved, packaged, deep-fried, and over-cultivated foods come under Tamasic food. These have no benefits to the mind or body. They make you feel bloated and sluggish and also hamper your immune system.
Five Superfoods For Yogic Diet
If you are new to a yogic diet and want to learn what to incorporate into your Yogic Diet, then eat these Five superfoods for a healthy and happy life.
1. Fresh Fruits And Vegetables
If you start with Yogic Diet, meat is a big No No. Jump into the ocean of vegetables and fruit. You can also enjoy plant-based meat as a substitute for meat. But it is necessary to give up non-vegetarian food and an unhealthy lifestyle if you want to pick up Yogic Diet.
Purchase locally available fruits and vegetables that are seasonal. Incorporate healthy fruits and vegetables into your diet to get antioxidants and immune-boosting nutrients your body needs during yoga practice.
If you are practicing yoga and a yogic diet for weight loss, it is essential to give up meat and try to eat plant-based meals. Adhere to the principles of the Yogic Diet and Go Veggie.
2. Grains And Legumes
Do you feel your body will not get enough protein if you quit meat? If yes, then you are wrong. Vegetarians get their protein from grains, legumes, lentils, chickpeas, beans, and many more.
These are easy to digest and will keep you fuller for longer. Yogic Diet encourages eating a cooked dinner as it is easily digestible.
3. Water
Water is one of the essential things, and we ignore it often. Hydration is necessary before and after yoga practice. It helps you to perform better, increases flexibility, and gives you strength.
Water is a great way to detox your body; the more you drink, the more toxins your body will flush. It will eventually improve your skin texture, making you feel more glowing and brighter. Water acts as a lubricant for tissues and thus helps in easy body movement during Yoga.
- Start your morning by drinking a glass of water as soon as you get up.
- You can set goals for drinking water the whole day.
- Carry a water bottle with you.
- You can also try carbonated soda if you are enough plain drinking water.
4. Herbs And Herbal Teas
Incorporating Herbs and Herbal teas into your diet has fantastic benefits.
- It helps in rejuvenating tissue cells.
- It relieves you from stress.
- It reduces infections.
- It helps in treating insomnia.
- It aids in curing coughs and colds.
- It promotes flawless skin.
One must drink Herbal Tea twice a day for its excellent results. If you cannot drink enough water, replace it with herbal teas and gain nutrients. If you are new to herbal teas, you can try Ginger, Hibiscus, and Chamomile. These soothing teas will fill you with a relaxing mind and body.
5. Spices
Spices like turmeric, cumin, and ginger are a must in a yogic diet. These help you make the food delicious and are essential for your overall well-being. Know why these spices are necessary for you.
Adding Turmeric to your diet will act as a dietary supplement for various conditions, including arthritis, digestive disorders, respiratory infections, allergies, depression, and many others. It is considered a significant ingredient in the Indian Medical system.
Adding Cumin to your diet comes with an abundance of benefits; it is an antioxidant that helps to neutralize unstable particles. Also, it helps to prevent the body from cancer, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Adding Ginger to your diet will help you eliminate all the bloating and gas. It is an antioxidant that helps in the wear and tear of cells. It helps to encourage stomach emptying and relieve you from the discomfort of nausea.
A Yogic Lifestyle Diet Should Be:
- Free From Chemicals– A diet to be called a yogic should be free from chemicals. You need to choose fruits and vegetables that are organic. Initially, you may feel as tricky so that you can cut off caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco from your diet. Also, cut out processed food and snack.
- Eating Fresh Food- Prepare the meal from scratch, free from chemicals. Do not rely on frozen foods and ready-prepared meals. Also, do not eat the leftovers; they will ultimately harm you.
- Eating At Regular Intervals- Sticking to the time is a proper yoga diet plan. Eat at regular and steady intervals. Give enough time to the body to heal, repair, and fight against infections. Always eat two hours before yoga practice and before you go to sleep.
- Fasting– Fasting once a week is a part of the Yogic Diet. It will help to purify your mind and body. You can keep fast on water or even drink fresh juices, which will help detox your body.
- Sattvic Food– Sattiv Food is one of the purest forms of diet and the best way to nourish both mind and body. It will help you to gain inner peace and health.
Wrapping Up
What we eat makes our body and mind. Thus one should eat that helps in nourishing our mind and body. The ultimate goal of a yogic diet is to make your food enjoyable fuel for your body. Take the small steps; they will lead you to more extensive changes. Make your healthy, delicious food a part of your life. Be mindful of what you eat. And remember to take care of yourself.
A Yogic Diet does not allow you to eat more than your body needs.
So stay happy and healthy with Yogic Diet!