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 whole foods 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 whole foods 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 whole foods 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.

In yoga, foods have been classified as Rajasik, Tamasik and Sattvik.
According to the principles layed out in the Yogic philosophy there are three types of food, namely, ( Sattvic Food) which is considered pure food, (Rajasic Food) which is considered stimulating food, and (Tamasic Food) which is rotting, diseased or decaying food. (Sattvic Food) is both soothing and nourishing to the body and is considered the best food source. These foods are fresh fruits and vegetables, uncontaminated milk or cheese products, as well as nuts and whole grains. (Rajasic Food) is very stimulating to the body and can arouse the emotions, they may bring about a state of nervousness or dis-ease. They cause circulatory disorders like high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries and uric acid diseases. Spicy foods, meats and processed foods are considered to be Rajsic. (Tamasic Food) is any food which is overly ripe and decaying, this is the most toxic state of any food and it will poison the body and cause immediate harm.

Most important is to avoid refined, processed or packaged foods. Use real stone ground whole wheat breads made without synthetic ingredients, and for the prevention of disease avoid all white sugars, white flour products, including soft drinks, desserts and bakery goods.

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 is sprout.

Yogic Eating
Fats and meats are harder to digest than lighter food such as carbohydrates. This is why a light, vegetarian meal gives more energy and does not create a feeling of fullness or heaviness.
Food is fuel for the digestive fire and therefore must be pure, well combined and in correct quantity.
The amount of food one needs to eat depends on one's digestive power. We must discover our own capacity and set ourselves a standard amount to eat at each meal. Few people however, can stop eating at the point of satisfaction, or a little short of it. Constantly eating beyond this point puts out the digestive fire. Undigested food is worse than no food and becomes a detriment to our health.
..........................................................................................................-from Yoga for the Digestive System
....................................................................................................................By Swami Shankardevananda

Yoga for Digestive Health

• Eating with your hands is beneficial in that you can judge the temperature of your food before putting it in your mouth and it is believed that the energy in your fingertips has positive effects on your food!.
• Sitting cross-legged on the floor while you eat is said to enhance the energies of the abdomen by bringing them up from the legs
• Sit in Vajrasana for 5-10 minutes after eating to aid digestion
• Go for a short (100 steps) easy paced walk after sitting for a while

If you need to rest after eating, lie on your left side to activate your right nostril, thus enhancing the energies of digestion.

• Do
• Eat only freshly prepared food, not more than three hours old
• Take cooked /heavy food/grains only twice per day
• Eat when you are hungry and stop before you are overfull
• After eating the stomach should be ½ solid food, ¼ liquid & ¼ space
• Keep meal times routine – same every day
• Take 1 teaspoon of cow’s ghee regularly
• CHEW your food properly so it can be digested easily (32 times)
• Stimulate your appetite before meals with a little salt or ginger
• SWALLOW the mouthful you are working on before you take the next mouthful
• Eat slowly and CONCENTRATE on your food
• Think of your food as the greatest energy from the earth and the universe, and in this sense, food is God for you
• Don't
• Don't drink too much before immediately after or during meals: This dilutes the digestive juices, thus 100 ml. is maximum
• Don't combine milk with fruits
• Don't eat when your stomach is upset/ when you are sick
• Avoid processed, refined, frozen, deep-fried, or tinned food
• Avoid bakery products, caffeine, soft drinks, spicy food, excess sugar or salt and GMO (genetically modified foods)
• If you want to control your emotions and desires, avoid garlic and onions except when needed for health reasons
• Avoid talking, reading or watching TV during meals