A well balanced diet contains sufficient quality of protein, carbohydrates, fats, salts and minerals. It is held in Yoga discipline that ‘as you eat, so you become,’. This is because the kind and quality of food affects the physical as well as mental conditions of the individual. In Yoga all foods have been divided into three categories—Rajasi (Royal), Tamasi (Carnal) and Satvik (Noble). The Rajasi food comprises a variety of dishes. This type of food includes fried, roasted and fatty stuff, which is not desirable for good health. A little intake of these types should be sufficient to titillate the palate. A little quantity of strongly spiced bitter or sour food (Tamasik) should also form part of diet which should mostly be made easily digestible, nourishing; and freshly prepared food which classifies the noble or Satvik food. Your food must give you the variety of all the six varieties of taste—sweet, salty, astringent, bitter, sour and biting. However, it is not only the quantity or quality of the food but your way of eating which is also very important. Whatever food you eat, masticate it thoroughly and allow the saliva to reduce the eaten morsel to a mere pulp before gulping it down. Always eat 75 to 80% of your total capacity and leave enough room for the movement of gas/liquid etc. to help the system digest the eaten food quickly. Drinking water with food should be totally forgotten. Drink water always half an hour before and half an hour after your having food. Drink enough of water between your meals but not with it.
For your help we are giving below some guidelines following which you shall remain healthy. Adherence to them will not only keep diseases and disorders at bay but enhance also the age of your healthy life.
- The food that we eat helps build the blood cells, nerves, bones and muscles in our body. It has been proved scientifically that food which is highly processed and high in protein, fat, salt and sugar leads to health problems. Nutritious food (balanced wholesome diet, moderate exercises, drinking enough water, that is 8-10 glasses (3 litres) of water, enjoying fresh air and sunshine, resting adequately every day, will ensure a healthy body and mind.
- Detoxify the system completely by fasting 2 to 4 days every three months with liquids, preferably fresh lemon water with honey 4-5 times daily and follow it up with an all fruit course for 5 to 7 days and then resort to normal diet cautiously and gradually. Take enema on the days of fasting immediately after taking mud pack for 15-20 minutes. Also take abdominal pack at night.
- Abdomen must be kept cool and soft always. All liquid intake should be close to the body temperature as far as possible. Take mud pack, hip bath, enema and oil massage intermittently.
- Drink 1 or 2 glasses of water on rising, every morning.
- Dental health plays a vital role in curing a troubled abdomen. An unhealthy abdomen is responsible for most of the diseases.
- Use honey and molasses instead of sugar. Use a lot of garlic and some ginger if they suit. Take maximum roughage/fibre.
- Avoid non-vegetarian, concentrated, stimulating, intoxicating and gas forming foods.
- Ideal time for lunch is 10.00 a.m. and for dinner 7.00 p.m. May take some fruits (one variety only) around 2.00 p.m. Take only two meals a day and satisfy 80% of your hunger or appetite. Do not eat if not hungry or in bad mood/anger or at odd hours.
- Shun smoking, tea, coffee, alcohol, zarda, pan-masala, soft drinks and drugs.
- Going for brisk walk and/or doing Yoga for 30 to 60 minutes daily is must.
- Wash vegetables and fruits properly under running water, scrubbing with a brush before cutting, as they contain pesticides and contaminates. If any germs are suspected then wash in water with diluted solution of potassium permanganate.
- Ensure good digestion, sound sleep, good appetite and evacuation of bladder and bowels regularly and naturally.
- Tension is very harmful, as it causes flatulence, constipation, irritability, besides liver and heart problems. Hence ,change the way of living. Do not work for long hours. Do Shavasana and enjoy minimum 7 hours sound sleep daily.
- Always use polyunsaturated oil and reduce salt and sugar intake to the minimum possible level.
- After lunch, rest a while and after dinner, walk a mile—is a wise old recommendation. Relax in Vajrasana for 10-15 minutes after the meal.
- Take very light but nutritious food which includes fruits, skimmed milk and yoghurt (curd).
- For healthy condition, 80 percent of alkaline foods to 20 percent alkaline diet is needed. Alkaline food and drink purify the blood. Refined and processed foods tend to acidify and pollute the blood and the cells.
Select your food from the following :
(a) Acid producing foods : All fresh foods, fish, pulses, white bread, polished rice, white flour, nuts, confectionery, sweets, coffee, tea, alcohol, boiled buffalo milk, fried foods, concentrated foods, hydrogenated stuff, beans, onions, peanuts, tomatoes, jam and all preservatives, pickles, unripe fruits, refined stuff, grapes and high protein foods.
(b) Alkali producing foods : All kinds of vegetables, potatoes, fresh fruits, butter milk, fresh lemon, coconuts, figs, dates, almonds, loquates, skimmed milk, yoghurt, molasses, sweet oranges, dry fruits, sprouts, whole flour/unpolished rice and honey.
