Eat the Yoga way

We all have some idea on what food is good for us but are we eating it the right way? We tend to be so lost in our day to day activities & work that we land up ignoring what is good for us. Here is a list some tips and simple things that might make things better. You don't have to follow all the tips but try include simple things that might make your health better.

• VEGETARIANISM: You would have heard many yoga teachers recommend changing to vegetarianism. It is not a must but think about this... the animals in the jungle do not kill to eat everyday... this is because meat take longer to digest. If you have meat everyday you think you are going to digest it faster? The advantages of having vegetarian food is that it has more fiber, less cholesterol (don't overload the food with oil) and it also has the vitamins & minerals that you need. I know many who cannot live without meat. But try to include more veggies, fruits, pulses & whole grains. For people who want to change into a vegetarian & is finding it difficult try to have only vegetarian food once a month then slowly make it once a week you will get there sooner than you think. Give it a try! If you need help with recipes look at - http://koocitup.blogspot.com
• SMALL MEALS: Spacing out your food is very important. If you give a lot of gap between 2 meals then you will end up over eating. I am sure this is what happens to most of us and we feel bulky just before bed. Our stomach normally takes 2 - 3 hours to digest food. Give 2 and a half to 3 hours of gap between each meal. Ideally start your day with fruits before exercise, heavy breakfast, good lunch, evening tea with light snack, light & early dinner and finish your day with a warm glass of milk or herbal tea.
• Make sure that your dinner is light on spices & quantity so that you stomach can digest it quickly and get the rest it needs.
• DURING THE DAY: If you get hungry during the day try to munch on natural things like fruits, veggies or drink herbal teas.
• GO NATURAL: Bottled fruit juices is a big NO NO... though many say that they are without preservatives I am not sure if they can last so long without preservatives. So there are chemicals in that bottle. The same applies to all the packed food you munch on. All packed goods are processed and have more sugar or salt which don't do good for your health. If you like fruits then have the whole thing, they are healthier. If you still like juice then make it at home. Home-made items are healthier and cheaper.
• FROZEN: These days many cooked items are available as frozen packs but any day home-cooked & fresh frozen is better that pre-cooked frozen. Just take some time aside from your busy day to cut your veggies (do it while watching TV) & put them in the freezer... you will save time the next time you cook.
• ASANA WHILE EATING: Traditionally in India, people used to sit on the floor cross-legged while having food. This is a very good way to avoid over eating. When you sit cross-legged on the floor your stomach gets pressed when you eat so you cannot overeat. This technique helps you to control your food intake. Make sure you sit on a mat while eating.
• AVOID WATER: When you are having your food avoid water especially cold water. While eating, your stomach produces digestive juices that help in processing the food in your stomach when you drink water it dilutes the juices. If you have to then try having warm water or a warm drink. While processing the food, your stomach is all warmed up & cold drink means it has to reheat. You can try to have herbal teas along with your meals... lemongrass, water boiled with coriander seeds or any flavour you like... but keep it warm!
• 20 MINUTE RULE: Our brain takes about 15 - 20 mins before it realizes that the stomach is full and by the time your brain sends a message you have overeaten. So eat slowly and stop when you feel you need just a little more.
• WEIGHT LOSS OBSESSION: Don't be obsessed with losing weight. Crash diets don't really work and you land up gaining more weight. You should try to enjoy your food with family not TV, space out your meals, drink a lot of water and exercise. This itself will set you on the path of good health.

We are all pressed on time and prefer having food outside or getting take-aways but are we so pressed on not to take care of our health? What is the cost that you are willing to pay for your health?

We all know that work expands with time, i.e., if you have more time & less work we tend to stretch the work till the last minute. I am sure we can make time to fit in a few extra minutes everyday to improve our health.

So enjoy your food & the time you get with your loved ones and eat as natural as possible.

Take care!