Proper Diet (Vegetarian)

A yogi eats with awareness, choosing food that has the most positive effect on the body and mind and the least negative impact on the environment and other beings. Yogis eat to supply the body with vital energy and keep the mind peaceful and calm and advocate a vegetarian diet as the best way to sustain mental and physical health. A simple and natural diet based on seasonal, local and organic fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, legumes and dairy optimises physical and mental health and fosters harmony with the world around us. Yogis know that food has a subtle effect on the mind. Full of prana a pure, moderated diet is the best possible guarantee of physical and mental health, bringing harmony and vitality to body and mind.<b> </b>Yogis approach food from the standpoint of its energy. Yoga tells us that there are three energies or qualities of which nature is composed. The foods with the energy of tamas are ones that have a deleterious effect on mind and body, engendering anger, depression and negativity as well as physical illness. Foods such as meat, alcohol, fish, tobacco, onions and garlic, stale, over-processed (junk foods) fall into this category. Foods that are spicy, bitter, sour, dry or salty destroy the mind-body equilibrium are considered rajassic, stimulating the senses and making the mind restless and difficult to control. Coffee, tea, eggs, salt and chocolate are considered to fall in this category. <span class=”Apple-converted-space”> Foods such as cereals, fresh fruit and vegetables, pure oils, dairy, legumes, nuts, seeds and herbs are considered to have the purest energy (sattva) and will generate a healthy body and a clear, peaceful mind. </span>