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10 Tricks To Eat Like A Yogi

The Yamas, aka "don'ts," and Niyamas, aka "dos", can act as a signpost to help you Yogi-fy your diet. As you embark on the journey of yogic eating, the transformative power of your food gradually integrates into your daily life.
A woman sitting in a yoga mat.

If you want to take your bond with food to the next level, I strongly advise you to explore the Yamas and Niyamas of eating. These age-old yogic diet programs can assist you in making smart food choices and creating good eating habits, all while enhancing your bodily and spiritual health.

The Niyamas are guidelines for ethical behavior towards yourself!

The Niyamas instruct you in practicing self-control in the manner of a yogi, choosing wholesome foods, being content with what you eat, and cultivating awareness and introspection.

The Yamas are moral proposals about how to treat others!

Developing compassion, reducing anger and conflict, promoting truthfulness and honesty, clearing your thoughts, and feeling less stressed and anxious are all possible.

The Yamas and Niyamas, which outline purposeful and mindful eating practices, can provide several advantages. A yogic diet, according to a study, can support healthy weight control, enhance digestion, and assist lower stress and anxiety.

The yoga yamas and niyamas may not initially appear appropriate to your daily life, but as you get acclimated to them, you might start eating more satisfyingly. You should try to make each of these yogic diet -‘dos and don’ts’ as relevant to your day-to-day activities as you can. Please don’t take them as a list of obligations.

Practice Tapas as a part of your Yogic Diet!

A woman starring at a plate with chocolate cake.

Tapas is a method that recommends limiting your cheat meals to no more than six per week. For example, if you choose healthy meals for 15 of your 21 weekly meals, you can still indulge in 6 cheat meals that include your favorite goodies.

Indulge Consciously, not Mindlessly!

Choco brownie.

For example, instead of indulging in a large brownie on your cheat days, opt for small-batch fudgy brownies. Even better, try applying the yogic principles of self-control by mixing a teaspoon of cacao nibs or dark chocolate chips into one of your regular meals.

Set a Three-Bite Rule!

A couple enjoying their delicious snack.

Eat no more than 3 bites of any junk food. Then consciously move on to more whole foods. Savor the flavors in each of the 3 bites. After the third bite, just like a yogi bid your farewells. In any food, the first two bites are always the best. The third mouthful doesn’t satisfy you as fully as the first two did.

Make Eating a Meditation in itself!

A woman eating from a white bowl.

Avoid eating while working at your desk, watching TV, scrolling through your phone, or even driving. Just like a yogi, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and eat gently to connect more with your food. Remember, this is what you eat; this is how you live and nourish yourself.

Apply Asteya aka Non-Stealing!

compost.

Asteya is like a garden fairy who inspires you to start a compost pile behind the sink or a mini herb garden in your kitchen window. When you take things without giving anything in return, wastewater, buy more food than you need, and throw it away, you are robbing the fairy.

Deep Dive into Satya, Find Your Truth!!

A man is binge eating while lying in a sofa.

Hold fast to your identity. Keep an eye on your eating habits and choices. Recognize when you overeat, binge, consume too many processed meals, etc. Acceptance is all that is needed. Rather than reacting blindly to triggers, see situations clearly and openly.

Eat your food more naturally!

A man bites a carrot while sitting on a bench in a park.

No such thing as the “crispy french fries tree” exists. A kiwi does not require an ingredient label. The more a food has been altered and processed, the less pure and clean it is. Whenever possible, choose organic food.

Eat in the “relax and digest” mode

A half-bitten sandwich.

Every time you grab a croissant and sprint out of the door in the morning, you’re signaling your body to disregard proper assimilation. Your body slows down digestion when you’re stressed out or when you experience negative emotions.

It’s important to develop a healthy connection with food. You wouldn’t be here without it. It is critical to develop a positive relationship with food. You wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for it. Take enjoyment in the little joys, tastes, and sensations. Be conscious of your food’s origins, the farmers who farmed it, the people and vehicles that transported it, and how it ended up on your plate. Eating gives much more than simply energy; it is a comprehensive process in which you nourish your body, spirit, and mind.

Include some of the Yamas and Niyamas in your next meal. Recognize your relationship with food and be prepared to let it go if it gets in the way of your spiritual development or peace of mind.

From Yogic Eating to Holistic Living!

When you learn to eat like a yogi, the essence of yogic principles infused in your food can gradually permeate your day-to-day life. Here’s how:

Be Honest in Relationships: The Yamas and Niyamas encourage you to be honest with yourself about your food choices. Start extending that honesty to your interactions with others. Communicate truthfully with your loved ones, cultivate trust, and establish deeper connections.

Balance Honesty and Compassion: While honesty is crucial, the Yoga Sutras advise you to exercise discernment and compassion. If being completely honest in a given moment may cause harm, it is wise to consider refraining from speaking or acting. Remember, sometimes being kind is more important than being right.

Practice Ahimsa: Extend the principle of non-harming beyond human interactions. Respect and show compassion towards all living beings and nature. Become more mindful of your decisions and actions.

Embrace Sustainability: Apart from reducing plastic usage and avoiding fast food, encompassing mindful choices that contribute to a sustainable lifestyle is crucial. Engaging in practices like recycling and opting for eco-friendly transportation, such as walking, can effectively minimize global pollution, preserve wildlife, and maintain the delicate balance of nature.

As you embark on the journey of yogic eating, the transformative power of your food gradually integrates into your daily life. By embodying yogic principles beyond your meals, you can cultivate authenticity, compassion, and conscious living, fostering harmony within yourself and with the world around you.

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