GOOD EATING HABITS
In yoga, it’s more important HOW you eat rather that what you eat.
One ‘Golden rule’ is: EAT EARLY, EAT SLOWLY, EAT LESS.
EAT EARLY means especially at night it’s good to eat early, by 7.30pm (or three
hours before you go to sleep) so that your food has time to be digested and
assimilated. If you eat late at night and then go to sleep, either your body will be
trying to rest so your digestion won’t be good and you may have digestion
problems, or the digestion will be ok but you wont’ get good sleep and you may
sleep disturbances. Also, what ever you eat late at night does not get burned up
and so turns into fatty tissue. So if you have digestion problems, disturbed sleep
or are over weight, definitely try eating early in the evening. You could even
decide to skip your evening meal if you can’t manage to eat by 9.00pm; skipping
the evening meal is another good way to reduce weight (but is not advisable for
those suffering from diabetes, acidity or ulcers).
EAT SLOWLY: Often, we’re in such a hurry to eat that we gulp the food down
while watching T.V., talking or reading. By the time we’ve finished, we realise that
we haven’t tasted the food so we have some more just to taste it. If we look at
the food that we’re eating, fully savour its flavour, enjoy it fully, think of how it was
prepared, where it has come from and its nutritional value, our digestion will be
much better, we will get more satisfaction from less quantity, it will be absorbed
better. Eating slowly is another way of enjoying what you eat more, making it a
meditation and reducing weight (if you want to).
EAT LESS: If you are overweight, eating a little less than usual is a good way to
reduce painlessly. This also improves the digestion. Eat till, you’ve satisfied your
hunger, not till you’ve filled your stomach. Most illnesses are related to over
eating. Eating less increases enjoyment of food and also increases your will
power and concentration!
Another ‘Golden Rule’ is EAT BREAKFAST LIKE A KING, LUNCH LIKE A
QUEEN, & DINNER LIKE A BEGGAR. If you eat your main meal at the
beginning of the day, it provides energy for the rest of the day. If you eat less at
night, like mentioned above, it’s good for all aspects of health including getting a
good night’s sleep.
AVOID EATING IN BETWEEN MEALS: It’s good to give the stomach a complete
rest in between meals, then digestion is better and you can enjoy hunger and the
taste of the food when it’s meal time. Keep food, fruit, and snacks in the fridge or
cupboard; ‘out of sight is out of mind’. In fact, don’t even buy snacks, then you
won’t feel tempted. If you are addicted to eating between meals and want to give
it up: drink a large glass of water every time you feel like snacking, this will satisfy
your tongue, your stomach and it will also purify you body systems.
EAT IN SILENCE if possible, fully focussed on the food, tasting and enjoying it
fully; make eating a delight, a meditation. If eating is a social occasion for you,
eat a little then stop and talk a little, then stop and eat a little and so on. If some
one talks to you, finish what you’re chewing, answer them then continue eating.
For meetings at a meal, aim to discuss after the meal when you are satisfied and
relaxed, instead of during while eating. Or if eating is the only time the
family/friends get together, eat a little, talk a little, eat a little and so on, don’t talk
with food in the mouth.
I) VAJRASANA
Usually it is not advised to do yogasanas (yoga postures) after eating. There is
one exception! Vajrasana (the diamond pose). This is the only asana that you
can, in fact you should do after eating. In Vajrasana you sit on your heels with
your legs folded underneath your body. The back is straight and the stomach is
free, and there is pressure on the legs which activates the ‘Vajra’ (diamond)
naadi (energy pathway or meridian) which enhances the digestion. Sitting in
Vajrasana benefits everyone especially if you have gas, constipation, acidity,
diabetes or any digestive complaint. In fact if you have constipation, sit in
vajrasana while you have your first morning cup of hot drink and very soon you’ll
be running to the bathroom. Vajrasana is also a very good alternative meditation
posture for those who cannot easily sit in crossed legged position. The Japanese
sit in vajrasana while eating. The Buddhist use it for meditation and the Muslims
for prayer. It is also very beneficial for relieving back ache, especially sciatica. If
you can’t sit in vajrasana easily, put a pillow under the ankles and one above the
ankles. You can do Vajrasana on a rug, on a sofa, on the bed, on the grass, even
in the office – just remove your shoes, tuck one leg up onto the office chair, then
the other one you’ll be so comfortable while your digestion takes place easily.
You don’t even have to close your eyes (though it’s good to relax with your eyes
closed after eating), you can even read, do your office work or watch the ‘idiot
box’ and still get the benefits of vajrasana. Try it after this meal and feel the
wonderful and immediate effects!