Yoga and diet

P Jadumani Singh *

1st International Day of Yoga celebrated by AMAND, Pune at Wanawadi, Pune on 21 June 2015 :: Pix - Ajit Salam

Sri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of india joined the Yoga Practice performed by thousands of enthusiasts on the International Day of Yoga on 21st June 2015 at the premises of India Gate. We are living in the world of chemical foods and preservatives.

To maintain a healthy body and sound mind, we require one exercise daily, which may be walking or cycling or swimming or Yoga. We may select any of them and devote to it by reserving one hour daily. Prevention of stress related problems are possible through Yoga practices. Two schools of Yoga namely Patanjali Yoga (relaxing Yoga) and Hatha Yoga (dynamic Yoga) emphasise the importances of diet which are given below for those who practise Yoga and also for general public.

Food is a composite mixture of various eatable substances. Food becomes nutritious when it contains substances, which are necessary for life growth and good health. When the ratio of nutrients to calories is reducing, then the cases of obesity and diabetes develop.

The food that is taken with specified principle to lose weight or to keep the body medically fit is known as diet. Diet helps in the development and promotion of health and prevention of diseases. Diet occupies an important place in Yoga system. Whether vegetarian or non-vegetarian, the food which includes vegetables, fruits, green salad, raw nuts etc is treated as balanced diet. Since our body is composed of water, protein, fat, carbohydrate, minerals and vitamins etc, we will study importances of these substances.

1) Water- It is the free gift of nature and elixir of life. Most diseases and physical ailments prevalent in the underdeveloped and developing countries are due to unsafe and impure water. Water should not be drunk too hot or too cold. Water drunk half an hour before or after meal is useful for health. A glass of water at the time of retiring to bed and in the morning washes the waste products through the alimentary canal. No water at the time of eating meal because it dissolves the gastric juices and swell the stomach.

2) Protein- This substance helps to form parts of human tissues and is essential for the growth, main- tenance and regeneration of the body. The main sources of protein are pulses (beans, peas), animal food (egg, meat, fish), cereals (rice, wheat, maize), nuts and oil seeds (groundnut, coconut, soyabean). A non-vegetarian diet provides excessive amount of proteins which is a cause of diseases like uric acid, nitric acid, sulphuric and phosphorous acids. In such situation we have to take alkali mineral to neutralize these acids.

3) Fat-Its main sources are oily substances found in animals and plants. Two types of fat are saturated fat contained in whole- milk and its products, egg, fat meat, fish etc and unsaturated fat available in pea-nut oil, sesame oil, soyabean oil, sun flower oil etc. Prolonged use of saturated fats causes constriction and hardening of arteries which may result in hypertention, heart-attack, other ailments etc.

4) Carbohydrate- Its main sources are cereals (wheat, rice, maize), pulses (peas, beans), milk etc. It provides heat and energy to the body. Use of processed carbohydrates like de-branned flour, polished rice, refine sugar etc. are not desirable. Our forefathers were stout, sturdy and healthy because they eat wholesome food.

5) minerals and vitamins- Adequate quantities of vitamins and minerals are available in uncooked foods, germinated grains and beans as well as in fruits, fresh vegetables etc. Vitamins help in digestion and absorption of proteins, and protect us against diseases. Minerals are needed for the formation and function of the cells.

Food can be divided into three types like we, human beings into as high class, middle class and lower class etc. 1st type (best food) - Rice, wheat, milk, fruits, green vegetables, green salad, nuts etc are in this category of food. It gives peaceful mind, energy and is delicious. This diet purifies our mind, gives no tension and is recommended for Yoga prac- titioner.

2nd type- Meat, fish, egg, severe sour item, more chilli, more salt etc are the items of this food type. These diets create extra weight and fat since they are cooked with oil. This type is not desirable for Yoga practitioners. 3rd type- These foods are stale, tasteless, putrid, or decomposed. This diet makes us dull, irritation, and no good sensation.

Half of our stomach should be kept for solid food, one-fourth of it for water and another one-fourth for air. We should eat not more than 85 percent of our capacity. We should not eat diet containing preservatives, insecticides, artificially coloured item, canned food, refrigerated items etc. Man is not carnivore structurally, but herviborous.

So we should live on vegetables, fruits etc in addition to our daily item like rice, wheat etc.

Some instructions on food are
i) don't eat if not hungry,
ii) under any physical or mental tension, don't eat,
iii) don't overeat food,
iv) eat only one meal any day in a week,
v) don't eat or drink anything which is too hot or too cold,
vi) don't drink while eating etc.

This article is summarised extract from my book "Yoga and its Concept"