Why the Yogic way for Food?

Yoga is the only science that has laid great emphasis on food over centuries. In fact, there is a whole branch – called Anna Yoga – devoted to food for health and happiness. Yoga over centuries has developed a concept of a balanced wholefoods diet and an eating philosophy. These principles of good eating use powerful techniques which help in maintaining a strong and health body, a stress-free mind and a positive spirituality within this mixed up world. Never has this yogic philosophy of a balanced wholefoods diet been felt more than today when 97% of all health disorders can be traced to a faulty nutrition and diet. It has been observed that (East) Indian civilizations suffer least from bowel problems, constipation, indigestion and other food related disorders such as obesity. Do you know why? Because the Indian philosophy of cooking and eating draws heavily from the yogic philosophy of eating! Yoga does not dissect food into vitamins, minerals, protein etc. The yogic philosophy is that the true benefits of these ingredients can be had only when they are NOT isolated but as much in their natural form as possible. The key to true health is to have a balanced wholefoods diet. A balanced diet ensures that all the faculties of digestion work smoothly – absorption, assimilation and elimination. A balanced whole foods diet ensures a healthy you!! It is extremely important that all these 3 aspects work well together. If all these aspects work in harmony it is extremely unlikely that you’ll suffer from health disorders and even obesity. Often “synthetic” or “processed” foods create conditions that disrupt this balance. This leads to several physical and psychological problems. Over years, this can have dangerous consequences.

So what are Wholefoods?

Wholefoods are edible substances which are as close to their "whole" or natural state as possible. They have not been pre-processed in any way which would disturb their nutrition or flavor. They are therefore free of all processing additives or subtractions. The overall idea of wholefoods, is to buy foods which are -   * As whole and in their most simple form as possible   * In season from as close to the source as possible   * As chemically and additive free as possible   * In bulk and not pre-packaged Menu Plans: Food Groups For Nutritional Balance Grains, together with a pulse and/or nuts, make up complementary vegetable proteins. These include fats, vitamins & minerals. Herbs and spices added to these dishes stimulate enzymes important to digestion. Vegetable dishes and salads , both cooked and raw, provide a varied range of starches, vitamins, minerals. Herbs and spices added to these, increase flavour and stimulate digestive enzyme function. Condiments like yoghurt, chutneys, etc are used to balance and compliment other dishes in taste, nutrition, variation & looks. GRAIN PULSE VEG 1 SALAD VEG 2or SALAD 2 (Optional) EXTRAS Any Season Plain Boiled Rice or Spiced Yellow Split Pea Dhal Pumpkin, Green Bean & Nut Subji Tomato & Fresh Herbs Yoghurt and Stewed Fruit Colors White Yellow Orange/ Green Red White + Any Season Fried Rice with Mixed Vegies Carrot Soup Lettuce & Raisin Spiced Silverbeet Pappadums, Chutney Colors Yellow + Orange Green Green Golden Any Season Rice with Corn kernel Tofu Stir Fry with In-Season Vegies Snow Pea & Apple Banana and Date Cake Colors White/ Yellow Brown + Green/ White Brown Any Season Taco Shells (Corn Meal) Chilli Beans In-Season Greens eg Lettuce, Sprouts, Capsicum Grated Carrot Grated Cheese (for inside Tacos) Colors Yellow Red/Brown Green Orange Yellow Any Season Flat Breadfor Roll-Ups Falafel (Bean & Pea Mix Tabbouli (Cracked wheat) In-Season Greens for Salad Hommus (Chickpea & Tahini) Colors Brown/White Brown Green/Red Green Brown/White Summer Rice with Seeds Pappadums Potato & Tomato  Subji Carrot, Lettuce & Raisin Spearmint Yoghurt Colors White + Yellow White/Red Green/ Orange Green/White Summer Peanut Satay Sauce Steamed, whole Potatoes Fresh Herbs & Sprouts Avocados Tomatoes Rice Custard with Fresh Fruit Colors Brown White Green Green/Red Yellow + Summer Wholemeal Spaghetti Red Lentil in Tomato Sauce Bean & Nut Grated Carrot with Sultanas & Coconut Grated cheese on Spaghetti & Lentils Colors Brown Red/Brown Green/ Yellow Orange Yellow Winter Wheat Pilaf Pumpkin Dhal Cauliflower & Pea subji Grated Beetroot Oat Biscuits Colors Golden Orange/ Yellow White/Green Red Golden Winter Homemade Wholemeal Bread Lentil & Celery Soup Ratatouille Steamed Greens: eg Broccoli, Cabbage, Silverbeet Colors Golden Orange Red/Green Green Winter Tomato Dhal Baked Root Vegies Broccoli & Sesame Seed with Dressing Apple Crumble (includes nuts) Colors Red/Yellow Orange/ White Green Golden Food ...as you eat, so you become ...... Food and diet occupy an important place in the world of yoga and naturopathy. The effects of improper eating manifest themselves in unwanted appearance, incorrect thought, behavior and hence action.In yoga, foods have been classified as Rajasik, Tamasik and Sattvik. Rajasik Foods: Food of a king or of a restless and energetic disposition. A large variety of foods having different methods of preparation such as fried, highly seasoned, or baked, form this category. Alcoholic and processed beverages as well as sweets come in here. Disadvantages: These foods impart extra weight and fat to the body and create a feeling of uneasiness after eating. Tamasik Food: Food causing a lethargic disposition. Foods, vegetarian or non-vegetarian, that are prepared with excess spices, salts and hot seasonings are Tamasik foods. Disadvantages: These foods perpetuate laziness and people eating these are characterized by a rough and intolerant temperament. Sattvik Food: Food of a Yogi... Foods which are cooked with minimum amount of spices or seasonings and are fresh are sattvik foods. These foods retain their nutritive value as they are cooked in a very simple fashion one of the most powerful & delicious foods which have tremendous benefit on the overall system issprout.  Yoga recommends such foods. Myth or Reality? Non vegetarian food is Tamasik, while vegetarian food is Sattvik. A definite MYTH! No food by itself is rajasik, tamasik or sattvik. It is the preparation which makes it so. Vegetables such as cabbage, potatoes etc., if cooked with a lot of spices become tamasik while fresh boiled chicken cooked in a simple fashion becomes sattvik.  Food Group Recommended Intake (Serving/d) Service Zone Cereal/ Bread/ Millets 6-11 25-30 gms Fruits 2-3 50-100 gms Vegetables 3-5 50-100 gms Milk & milk products 2-3 25-30gms/ 150 ml Meat/Fish/Poultry/Pulses 2-3 25-30gms/75-150 ml Fat/ Oil 3 5 gms Sugar 3-5 5 gms Water 6-8 150 ml Eat ! Don't Eat ! Whole grains, yam, oatmeal, millets, brown rice.Raw veggies, salads, amla (gooseberry), spinach, papaya, lettuce. White bread, french fries, cakes, biscuits.Heavy salad dressings, veggies with cream sauce.