Foods to eat before and after yoga

by Darlene
(PEI)

I am verily new to yoga and find eating chicken, soup or bread before yoga makes me feel terrible, please help. I want to know of foods that do not make me tired or in a slump.

Darlene


Answer

Hello Darlene

You will enjoy doing yoga if your stomach is empty. There should be interval of at least 3 hours between your last meal and yoga practice. In three hours time, body is able to digest most of the food resulting in empty stomach required for yoga. In these 3 hours prior to yoga session do not eat anything, exception can be lime juice. In case you feel too hungry, eat some fruits at least one hour before your yoga class. If you want to eat bread or chicken, eat it well before your yoga class.

During the yoga asanas especially forward and reverse bending poses, there is pressure on abdominal organs which may push the food upwards resulting in feeling of great discomfort. In addition, if you do yoga while digestive processes are on, most of the blood circulation will be diverted to digestive tract.

If you have started doing yoga, you can not modify your eating habits in a day. I suggest do not make sudden changes to your diet but gradually move towards yogic way of eating. This will keep you healthy and save tons of money on junk food. As you become more self aware with yoga practice, you will be able to exercise more control over your eating. Your need for food also reduces as well as better restraint to avoid binge eating.Try to understand the basic tenets of yogic diet.

• Lay more stress on easily digestible foods like raw, whole grain and organic foods.


• Your food must be sattvik.


• Eat for nutrition and not for taste.


• Fresh fruits and some nuts taken daily can provide you required energy.


• Gradually decrease the consumption of meat products.


• Eat and drink in moderation.


• Avoid spicy food.

• On waking up drink 2-3 glasses of water. Take a glass of fresh lime juice in lukewarm water along with a spoon of honey. Clear your bowels before doing yoga.


• This is all what you need before a yoga practice. Thereafter you can enjoy your yoga practice on empty stomach. People who are used to drinking bed tea may take half a cup of tea but gradually try to avoid taking tea before yoga practice.


• Do not eat 30 minutes after the class. After half an hour of your yoga practice drink a glass of warm milk or fruit juice.

• Do not eat 3 hours prior to your yoga practice.


• In the lunch, eat easily digestible foods like soups,sprouts, fruits and vegetables. Avoid fried, meat and heavy grain foods.


• Do not eat anything for at least 30 minute after the yoga class