March 26, 2011
In Kashyapa Samhita it is said "one who knows how much to eat can be free from disease".
Man gives first importance to health and next to wealth. Food is the prime power for all the activities of our body. Good food rejuvenates one’s health and a healthy body keeps one’s mind in a good condition.
Yuktahara viharasya yukta chestasya karmasu I
Yukta swapnava Bodhasya yogo bhavati dukkaha II
One who controls food, work and duties can acquire yoga easily and avoid sadness in the process. Limited sleep and limited waking hours remove all the obstacles.
The three qualities of food are
1. Satwika
2. Rajasa
3. Tamasa
One who practices yoga must consume Satwika food. He must not use food which is too hot or too sour or too spicy.
Rajasa food is that which is sour, bitter, salty or very hot or spicy food. Tamasa food means that which is tasteless, rotten. Such type of food increases lethargy. So Tamasa and Rajasa food become obstacles to yoga practitioners.
Ayusatwa balarogya sukapreeti vivardhanah I
Rasyaha Nigdhaha sthirahridyaha aharaha satwika priyaha II
Food which increases one’s life span, health, happiness, love and strength are dear to a man who is Satwika.
How much should a yoga practitioner consume?
Nutritious Satwika food which suits one’s body should be consumed. One should never consume more than required. One’s stomach should have half solid food, quarter part of liquid and the remaining quarter part should be kept empty for the circulation of air. Eat only when you are hungry.
When consuming food see that your mind is free from sadness, anger, anxiety, excitement, hatred or jealousy. Eat in a clean surrounding, keep your attention on the food you eat and chew it properly. Digestion starts from the mouth itself. If there are diversions like TV, secretion of digestive juices becomes difficult.
Let your food be limited and have it at a fixed time. Let there be proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, fat, sugar, minerals, water in your food.
Philosopher Socrates said, "Sound mind in a sound body," which means if our body is healthy, mind also will be in a healthy condition. Try to have a balanced diet by which our digestive organs work systematically. Have fresh food. Drinking artificial coloured drinks are dangerous to one’s health.
List of Satwika food
Ladies finger, bitter guard, horse gram, coconut, capsicum, corn, potato, lentil, double beans, pumpkin, sweet potato, toor, coriander leaves, fenugreek, grapes, apple, pomegranate, sapota, sweet lime, orange, guava, dates, papaya, pineapple, watermelon, banana etc.
How many calories of food should be consumed?
Men should consume 2800 calories per day, pregnant woman 2600 calories and children 1600 calories. Manual labourers require more food while computer operators and call centre workers need less.
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