Good health and well-being are vital by products of living a yogic life by an
individual. In yoga philosophy, the mind is formed from the subtlest portion or
essence of food. A yogic diet thus, is one that brings inner peace to the body and
mind and encourages the spiritual progress.
As per the ancient yogic texts, Mitahara is defined thus : –
“Susnigdhamadhuraharah, chaturthamsavivarjitah,
Bhujyatae sivasampreetyai mitaharaha sa uchyatae.”
A moderate or abstemious diet is that which satisfies three-fourths of one’s hunger
(one-fourth is kept hungry) with well-cooked food containing ghee and sweets and
is taken after offering to Lord Shiva. This is called ‘Mithahara’, the limited food.
“Pushtam sumadhuram snigdham pathyam dhatupraposhanam,
Manobhilashitam yogyam yogee bhojanamacharaet.”
A yogi should eat strength giving food, well sweetened, lubricated (made with
ghee), and full of minerals, which strengthens the dhatus (tissues) like rasa
(fluids), rakta (blood) and food that is dear to heart, milk, butter etc. and one which
is pleasing and suitable.
The entire nature, including the varied nature of the food is categorised by three
qualities or gunas. These three gunas are sattva, rajas and tamas.
Sattva – Harmony, lightness, purity
The Bhagwad Gita explains sattvic foods as pure that increases vitality, energy,
vigour, health and joy, that are delicious, wholesome, substantial and aggregable.
These foods render the mind pure and calm, and generate equanimity, poise and
peaceful tendencies.
Foods should be as fresh and natural as possible, preferably organically grown,
not genetically modified and kept without preservatives or artificial flavourings.
Grains such as corn, barley, wheat, unpolished rice, oats, millet and quiona are
sattvic food which one should include in their diet. Protein rich foods such as
pulses, nuts and seeds are also sattvic foods which are the building blocks in a
vegetarian diet. Fruits, both fresh and dry, have a special significance in a yogic
diet. They fill the body with vitalising, life giving minerals, vitamins and fibres.
And lastly, the vegetables too are an important source of vitamins and minerals
in a yogic diet. Seeded vegetables like cucumber and squashes, all leafy vegetables
and roots and tubers should be made part of one’s daily diet.
Rajas – Passion, activity and feverishness
Rajasic foods are stimulants and goading in nature. Foods such as onion, garlic
and pungent spices can be categorised as rajasic foods. They should be minimized
in a yogic diet. When rajas is dominant one feels restless, feverish and can get
anger and/or passionate or obsessive.
Tamas – Darkess, lethargy and dullness
Foods which are over processed, no longer fresh and/or are difficult to digest are
tamasic foods. These categories include foods like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, alcohol
and other intoxicants which have the tendency of creating lethargy and laziness.
Foods that are prepared with an indifferent or negative thoughts are also
considered as tamasic. Junk food can certainly be categorised as tamasic. They
promote inertia, dullness and lethargy in your system. When tamas is dominant
one feels negative, unmotivated, dark and heavy.
Steps in following a yogic diet :
1) Start slow but be consistent – Beginning and adhering to a yogic diet can
certainly be challenging. It is best to take it slow and ease your way into it.
Start with just one or two changes and see how you feel. Slowly explore and
add more changes as one can with awareness and without any imbalances.
2) Apperance and presentation – The colour, aroma, touch and taste of the
food make it attractive and enhances the appetite and stimulates the digestive
juices. Along with the food the place where the food is eaten should be clean,
pleasant and peaceful. Hygienic, spiritual and aesthetic places bring peace of
mind. Take freshly prepared and warm food always. Such food is pleasant,
tasty, nourishing, easy to digest and increases digestive fire.
3) Eat with mindfulness and a positive attitude – One’s attitude towards the
food is more important than the food itself. Eating food should be considered a
pious activity and a righteous act and it should be performed with
concentration. Negative emotions have a harmful effect on digestion. Eat food
when at ease and avoid unpleasant discussion, watching and reading about
disturbing subjects while eating.
4) Eat at regular intervals and allow space between meals – Kalabhojanam-
arogyakaranam – means the best remedy for health is to take food on time and
at regular hours. Food should only be consumed when experiencing hunger,
after complete digestion of the previous meal and when there is no heaviness
in the heart and stomach, and after elimination of the waste matter. This will
help to keep the doshas in balance.
5) Consider fasting – The concept of fasting should be considered in the context
of a yogic diet. Fasting is the practice of abstaining from food and/or drink for
a particular period of time. The purpose of fasting is to cleanse the body, seek
a spiritual goal or express devotion to a chosen deit
6) Bless your food – There are many blessings you can say over your food to
remove negative vibrations. Cultivate a ritual to feel a sense of gratitude
towards the food you eat. By being grateful and blessing the food, the vibration
of that meal is raised and one can acknowledge the sacred nature of an
important aspect of life.
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