Yoga Teacher Training Forum

About energy in the morning: Sun Salutations seem to be a logical choice. About eating meat: people tend to eat what their parents fed them. Beans have protein, but if you want to eat meat, it's up to you.

Is the Yogic Diet Balanced?

Yoga and meditation are great for the body and mind, and they should be complemented by an appropriate and balanced diet. The yogic diet is not only beneficial for achieving and maintaining an individual ideal weight, but it also promotes healthy organ functioning and increased mental processes. The focus of a yogic diet is balance, allowing for the occasional slip of the diet for a treat, however, many followers of the yogic diet find that they lose any interest they had in eating unhealthy foods after following this diet.

When considering whether or not a diet is balanced, there are a number of things that must be thought of. The levels of all nutrients--fats, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals--must be balanced for the health of the individual. Followers of a yogic diet tend to be more aware of what they are consuming than followers of the average omnivore diet, and often they have a greater subconscious desire to eat healthy foods than the average person does due to the high number of processed and fried products consumed in the average diet.

While many people may believe that it is impossible to eat a balanced yogic diet, primarily because of protein concerns, this is untrue. Many vegetables and legumes can provide as much, if not more, protein than many meat products can. Many yogic diets include no meat products, and those that do include them only use lean products, primarily fish. Legumes, seeds, and nuts are also used as additional sources of protein. Keeping the diet low in fats and fatty meat products promotes healthy heart and blood vessel functioning.

Another concern with regard to yogic diets are vitamins and minerals. Calcium, phosphorous, and some essential amino acids are nutrients regularly obtained from meat products. Balancing this portion of the diet with more raw vegetables and fruits can be simple. The cooking process of vegetables often degrades the nutrients provided, making raw vegetables ideal. Fiber is also necessary in the daily diet, and it is provided by fruits and raw vegetables as well.

The primary concepts involved with a yogic diet involve eating healthy foods, avoiding processed foods, and eating a balanced diet. This promotes physical and mental functioning, and provides the energy that food is meant to do in a healthy manner. A level of balance in the diet will lead to a more balanced body and mind, and certain foods can provide health benefits in a variety of ways.