Eating right is an essential activity for your yoga practice as well as an important part of feeling balanced and centered throughout the festive season. Here are a few tips on the types of foods and Ayurvedic principles that you can bring to the table as a yogi.
1. Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
Always try to prepare a fresh meal with fresh, locally sourced fruit and veggies. Be sure to take note of what foods are in season where you’re living. Having a healthy mix of vegetables and fruits in your diet gives you all the healthy antioxidants and immune boosting nutrients your body needs for your yoga practice.
2. Herbal Teas
Herbal teas tend to contain herbs such as black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and turmeric, which all help boost the body’s immune system and improve metabolism. Some of our favourite ones to try before or after your practice are peppermint, chamomile, green, and ginger and lemon tea.
3. Grains & Legumes
Legumes and grains are easy to digest and provide your body with a great source of protein alternative to meat. Eating a plant based diet or incorporate plant based meals into your diet is known to improve your mood, sleep and leave you feeling less bloated and more energised. I
4. Herbs & Spices
Herbs and spices directly support the mind and also make your food taste delicious. According to Ayurveda, spices act as healing foods that support a healthy body and stimulate its repair and rejuvenation.
5. Dark Chocolate
If you are feeling like a sweet treat this festive season, dark chocolate is the perfect snack that will leave you feeling relaxed and balanced. Dark chocolate is known to reduce stress and anxiety and boost mood. It also an excellent source of magnesium. Remember everything always in moderation. Balance is key!
Our nutrition works the same way as our asana practice, and it’s just as important. The same way that each of our individual practices differs, so do our dietary requirements and our individual idea’s about what is right and wrong when it comes to food. There is no specific diet that is suitable for all of us; however, incorporating the foods above will help to make you feel good, physically and emotionally. As long as you have a healthy relationship with food, and not overly restrictive in giving your body what it needs, your mind, body and spirit can all positively function together.
Source Author: Simone de Villiers
Source Link: https://dailycup.yoga/2019/11/03/5-foods-to-incorporate-into-your-yogic-diet/