Did you know that a consistent practice of Yoga & the food you eat complement each other in many ways? Yoga & Food are the building blocks of a Yogic Lifestyle. How much do you know your food?
The food you consume plays a significant role in your overall well being this includes the physical body, emotions & the mind. In Yoga, world food is classified into three types- Satvic, Rajasic & Tamasic.
These are called ‘Gunas’ a Sanskrit word that means ‘Quality’ or ‘Element’ and in turn, signifies the three predominant qualities present in everything including food. Furthermore, each food type affects the mental & physical well being of your body.
Read: Know your Doshas
This blog aims at helping you understand the basic elements or gunas of the three food types so that you can make informed choices of your daily food habits & meal routine.
SATVIC FOODS
Sattivc food are rich in Prana (life force), help in nourishing & cleansing the body & mind and are best consumed within 4 hrs. of cooking. Satvic meals have the highest guna & are an ideal representation of balance & harmony.
A Satvic diet is vegetarian & mostly includes grain, unpasteurized milk, green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, vegetables, ghee, seeds & nuts. These foods are light, fresh, tasty & increase your energy, enthusiasm & state of being.
RAJASIC FOOD
Rajasik Food is known to bring nervous energy, activity & restlessness; these foods stimulate the body & mind. When consumed in excess such foods can cause irritability, restlessness, anger, hyperactivity & sleeplessness.
Examples of Rajasic foods include – stimulants like tea, coffee, dark chocolate, spicy & fried foods, onion, garlic, chillies, pickles, meat, eggs & vinegar to name a few. It is recommended not to consume these foods daily but rather occasionally.
TAMASIC FOOD
Tamasic Food has a dulling effect on the mind. It slows you down & makes you feel lethargic & disoriented. According to Ayurveda, it is believed that Tamasic foods slow down the functionality of the mind. Such foods generate emotions like insecurity, jealousy, mood swings, laziness & reduced resistance to diseases.
The energy is blocked & toxins are produced when you regularly consume a non-vegetarian diet, stale foods, excess fats, oils, pastries & sugary dishes. It is best to avoid these foods as far as possible.
Each of us is different & our bodies needs are unique.
This is also dependent on which part of the world we live in, our current lifestyles, weather conditions & foods we are accustomed to & have access to etc.
An effective yet easy way is to start small by making gradual changes that are sustainable to your routine. Measure your progress, journal your meals & how you feel after making these small shifts.
These smart changes will keep you motivated and on track when you witness the changes in your body, energy levels & overall well being.
Read: Know your Chakras
Do remember that if you are cooking your daily meals; prepare them with love, kindness & gratitude this will make every meal rich in Prana and nourish you in the way it’s supposed to.
Eat well! Stay Well!
Now that you have a fundamental outline of the food types & what categories each of your meals fall under it equips you with the knowledge to plan & alter your regime.
Also, remember that it is equally important to not just consume the right kind of food but to eat the right portion at the right time at regular intervals.