Yoga and nutrition have long been associated with each other. While practicing yoga, it is recommended to intake what is labeled as healthy and is genuinely good for your body.
Unfortunately, it is seen that despite knowing deep down inside what is good and what is not good for us but we choose to ignore the body and mind. One can stick to their natural instinct of having a balanced diet. Regular practice of yoga helps to stimulate these very natural instincts. Wondering how? We will tell you. In this blog by Inner Yoga Training, the best self healing retreat in Bali, one will get to understand the relationship prevailing between yoga and nutrition including tips for a balanced diet to support your practice. So, without any further ado, get your eating bowls and yoga mats and start reading.
A sneak peek into mindful eating and yoga
Nutrition has always been an intrinsic part of yogic practices. The food we eat can have a profound impact on not only our bodies but also our mind. It is imperative to look at the purpose of food before choosing what to eat. Eating a well-balanced diet with sufficient nutrients is essential for maintaining energy levels, building strength and endurance, and supporting muscle recovery. Yoga as well as the Indian medicinal science of Ayurveda recommend the inclusion of light and healthy food items in our diet. Foods that are usually vegetarian, high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, and freshly made are believed to work wonders for your energy levels, happiness, and calmness, and bring mental clarity. Such a diet also works appropriately for building stamina and flexibility to perform Yoga asanas with ease. It also helps in enhancing focus which is important for achieving the meditative state.
How to incorporate a balanced diet into our daily routine?
Given our fast-paced lives, it is difficult to stick to certain food items. A balanced diet gives energy to the body and mind, increases the resistance power of the body, and develops the mind. Fresh food gives keeps your stomach healthy, your mood happy and helps you to focus better. However, some of us might have a medical history to which we may or may not be allowed to consume certain food items. So, it is important to check that and eat what is suitable for your body, mind, intelligence, and soul.
- Consume unprocessed and fresh food.
In this fast-paced world, because of a paucity of time, we often have processed foods as a meal. However, health experts always recommend that one should try to eat what is local and fresh as much as possible. At Inner Yoga Training in Bali, the best yoga teacher training in Bali, the attendees are served locally-produced plant-based food throughout. This is because we believe that food leaves an indelible and mindful impact on our minds. And hence, it becomes all the more important to consume what is unprocessed and freshly made.
- Never skip breakfast.
Breakfast is your system’s jumpstart to the day! Whether it’s a simple cup of yogurt with your favorite fruit or scrambled eggs and toast, make sure you break that fast! Also, try eating smaller meals more frequently for sustained energy throughout the day. This avoids energy crashing from big heavy meals and provides a boost in metabolism.
- Make every meal as colorful as possible.
It’s easy to fall into the same old meal patterns and forget to incorporate a variety of different foods into our routine. This is easy to fix if you remember to make each meal as colorfully diverse as possible. A variety of colors also mean a variety of vitamins! Bright orange foods such as winter squash and carrots are rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C. Dark green vegetables have iron, vitamin K, and calcium. So, mix it up, and be sure to eat the rainbow! This is what we do at our retreat center – Azadi Retreat in Bali.
- Keep a check on your salt and sugar intake.
We all love salt, but you’d be surprised to learn how much sodium is already in many of the foods we eat. Try replacing salt with different herbs and spices. The more herbs you try the more you’ll like and the fuller your spice cabinet will get with new and interesting flavors. The next time you make a meal, start seasoning your meal with herbs or spices first, then taste. You may find that you didn’t need the extra salt after all.
We all fall victim to sugar cravings now and then. However, we don’t often consider how much sugar we’re ingesting when that craving hits. If you find yourself with a serious sugar craving, no problem, you have options. Try choosing natural sugar instead of having a piece of your favorite fruit. Before you know it, it will be like second nature.
To incorporate a balanced diet along with yogic practices, get enrolled in our upcoming Bali yoga teacher certification at https://inneryogatraining.com/. You can also get to gorge at the plant-based meal prepared at the Suksham Retreat in Bali under this training.