Yoga Health Portal

• Healthy food

Food – energy for life

The human body needs food for two reasons: as fuel to produce the energy it needs and as a raw material to regenerate the body and continuously renew the tissues. A pure and natural diet is the best way to support our body’s two basic needs.

The sun – energy source of all life

All energy comes from the sun. So the closer our food is to this source, the more energy it has. Human beings can only draw vitamin D and life energy (prana) directly from the sun, whereas plants use photosynthesis to convert sun energy into matter. Therefore, a vegetarian diet delivers nutrients directly ‘from the source’. Meat or fish, by contrast, contains only ‘second hand’ nutrients – the natural energy of the plants has already been metabolized in the body of the animal.

We are what we eat

We are what we eat. This is true in many ways. As mentioned above, we need food to maintain the functioning of our body. But food also has more subtle effects: it forms the substance of our mind and can thus influence the mind in a very subtle way. This is another reason why we should eat natural foods. Fresh, light and nutritious food keeps the body trim and flexible, the mind clear and sharp and makes both body and mind receptive for the yoga practice.

 

• Organic Food – The Healthy Food

What is Organic Food?

Organic foods’ are health foods grown without the use of synthetic/ chemical treatments. These treatments start right from the seed and continue until the food is consumed. There is no legal definition of what all items are included in the term ‘organic food’, so many storekeepers or roadside vendors may be claiming to supply ‘organic produce’. Even if they haven’t used chemicals or insecticides / pesticides on the foodstuff, there’s a lot more to be considered before the food can be claimed ‘organic’.

 

Is Organic Food Healthier than Conventional Foods?

But here, ‘healthier’ does not necessarily mean more nutritious. It means safer for human consumption. This means that growing a food organically doesn’t alter the nutritional content but the lack of synthetic pesticides and insecticidal residues on organically grown foods surely makes it a safer product.

But it is to be understood that organic food itself is not guaranteed free of pesticide residues. Even the most carefully grown organic products may get contaminated from residues coming from the soil from previous farming practices or from contaminated water supplies.

 

Is Organic Food “Eco-Friendly’?

For sure! Although we cannot certify for sure on the hazards chemical treatments in food can adversely affect our health, we can certainly talk about the environmental damages they are capable of! Going for organic produce is a positive approach & a respectable gesture of showing one’s concern for the environment.

There are stories and stories of well-documented catastrophes having their Impact on plant and animal life and disturbing the ecological balance. Extensive pollution of air and river water by synthetic chemicals has resulted in crop diseases, which are resistant to chemical pesticide treatments. Hence, it is wise enough to go in for a product, which is organically grown.

 

Are Organic Food not at all treated for Pests and Insects?

Of course, not! Organic food does get sprayed. But this spraying is not with the regular chemical insecticides and pesticides. This is using certified biological sprays, which are natural and animal or plant-based. In addition, the quantity or the dose of these natural sprays is very controlled else, even these can leave residues in the food.

 

Does Organic Food Taste Better?

More than anything else, this is an individual perception. Just as some people like to eat sweet foods more than salted ones, here also it varies from person to person. There are people who believe that organic food tastes much better than conventional food, but again, it is an individual choice!

Why is Organic Food More Expensive than Conventional Food?

Organic produce, since it is grown without the use of any synthetic pesticides or insecticides is more labor-intensive. Also, very often the yields of an organic produce is significantly lower than that grown under non-organic conditions. The time to time certification, use of expensive sprays, training of agriculturists for organic practice etc., all contribute to the price hike.

What does the organic certification process involve? Generally, the organic farmer has to grow his crop for at least three years organically without the use of any synthetic pesticides or chemical sprays. The certifying authority team inspects the farm with its complete equipment and any facilities and after the team is thoroughly convinced, it issues a certificate to classify the farm's produce as "organic". Even then, there is a regular periodical and random inspection of the farm to ascertain its continued organic practice.

• Healthy diet

 

If we ignore the basic principles of healthy eating, we will eventually pay the price – in the form of physical ailments. A balanced vegetarian diet should therefore consist of the following elements: protein, carbohydrates, fat, minerals, vitamins and water. Carbohydrates and fat are the main sources of energy for the smooth functioning of the organs. Proteins, minerals and water are needed for the continual regeneration of the cells. Vitamins and minerals are necessary to regulate bodily processes and to maintain hormonal and enzymatic functioning. Experts recommend that our diet should consist to 55% of carbohydrates, 30% of fat and 15% of proteins.
The menu of a yogi is made up of grains, pulses, plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds and a small amount of dairy products. This diet is wholesome, well balanced, and easy to digest and supplies the body with a maximum of nutrients and energy.

 

• Healthy lifestyle

 

In order to prevent diseases, it is not enough to eat natural foods. Day in, day out, we are exposed to an overload of toxins and unhealthy environmental factors, such as polluted air and water, pesticides in our food, electromagnetic pollution and so on. Effective prevention of diseases is therefore only possible when all healthy aspects are activated in your life:
(1) Proper exercise of postures that stimulate blood circulation
(2) Proper breathing exercises to maximize the uptake of oxygen 
(3) Perfect relaxation of body and mind
(4) A natural, wholesome and balanced diet
(5) Positive thinking and mental concentration