Food Classification In Yoga
Food and diet have an important place in Yoga, Ayurveda and Naturopathy. The effects of wrong eating reveal themselves in unwelcome appearance, flawed thinking, behavior and hence action.
Subsequently, in Yoga, foods have been classified as Rajasic, Tamasic and Sattvic – the primeval version of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly!
Yoga Diet – Sattvic Food
Foods that are cooked with minimum spice or seasonings and are fresh. These foods retain their nutritive value since they are cooked very simply. Sprout is one of the most powerful and delicious foods having tremendous benefit on the overall system. Yoga wholly recommends such foods.
Yoga Diet – Rajasic Foods
This is also called food for kings or of people with restless and energetic dispositions. A large assortment of foods prepared by different methods such as fried, highly seasoned, or baked, form this category, alcoholic and processed beverages as well as sweets fall into this category. By and large, these foods impart extra weight and fat to the body, thereby creating a feeling of uneasiness after eating, resulting in a lethargic disposition.
Yoga Diet – Tamasic Foods
Vegetarian or non-vegetarian foods that are prepared with excess spices, salts and hot seasonings. As a rule, these foods bring about laziness folks who eat these are characterized by a rough and intolerant temperament.
Yoga Diet – Myth or Reality
Non vegetarian foods are, by and large, all Tamasic, while vegetarian food, on the other hand, is Sattvic. A definite myth! No food is Rajasic, Tamasic or Sattvic; it is the preparation that makes it so. Vegetables like cabbage, potatoes etc., if cooked with lots of spices turn Tamasic while fresh boiled chicken simply cooked becomes Sattvic
Yoga Diet – foods to eat and foods to avoidYoga Diet – Foods to Eat
All vegetables, particularly the green, leafy ones.
Fresh, sweet fruits of all types, preferably taken whole.
Butter, ghee (clarified butter) and all good natural plant-based oils like sesame, olive and sunflower.
Dairy products such as milk, ghee, yogurt and cottage cheese from dairy animals that have been treated well.
Moderately roasted or salted nuts and seeds such as almonds, coconuts, walnuts, pecans and sesame.
Ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, fennel, cumin, coriander, turmeric, mint, basil, fenugreek and other such sweet spices.
Herbal teas, natural water and fresh juices, particularly of the lemony kind.
Pulses and lentils.
Whole grains like rice, wheat and oats.
Natural sugars such as jaggery, honey, maple syrup and molasses.
Yoga Diet – Foods to Avoid:
Alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee and all stimulants.
Artificial beverages.
Artificial sweeteners.
Artificial, processed and junk foods.
Canned foods, except naturally canned fruits, vegetables and tomatoes.
Factory farm dairy products.
Fried foods
Meat, fish and eggs.
Microwaved and irradiated food.
Genetically engineered foods.
Old, stale, over and reheated food.
Over-spiced food.
White sugar and white flour.
Animal fats, margarine and poor quality oils.
