The Benefits of Yoga for Healthy Eating

by:  Leonid Sinichkin

Mankind has enjoyed the ancient guidance of tips on healthy eating. We are all aware that what we consume has a great effect on our mental, physical and emotional well being. However, we tend to make the mistake of following blanket rules whereas every body is unique and has its own needs. This article tries to explain how you can know exactly what your body needs to eat to be healthy.

Our first keyword is `balance`. Make sure that you do not leave out any foods and consume enough of each of the five food groups every day. The first two are the main groups that we must focus on while the remaining three should not be left out: First are fruit and vegetables (eating up to 5 portions a day of this group helps prevent serious illnesses such as cancer thanks to the nutrients in them); bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and other starchy foods (wholegrain food rich in carbohydrates provide the body with the energy it needs to keep going); milk and dairy products (the calcium we need for healthy bones and teeth is found here but make sure the products you consume are low in fat); meat, fish, eggs and other sources of protein (our cells use these nutrients so the body needs them to grow and repair itself); food/drinks with high sugar and fat ratios (the calories here are mainly to make us feel good and should be consumed very carefully).

Please don`t forget that we will all need to eat different amounts of each group according to the unique needs of our bodies. While people more on the emotional side should be consuming more proteins, people with more active lifestyles should eat less proteins and more of the first two groups.

Whatever your eating habits may be, keep in mind that your body has to consume a lot of water and one should not skip breakfast because the body needs it the most. Feeling thirsty means the body is already dehydrated so it is advisable to make it a habit to consume fluids regularly throughout the day.

You must have heard the word `antioxidant`. The role of antioxidants is to clear out the body. This is similar to detoxing. One third of all your meals should comprise of wholegrain foods such as whole meal bread, muesli, wheat, oats and rice. These ensure a healthier heart.

If you are suffering from high blood pressure, you will need to lower your salt and sodium intake. About one teaspoon a day is the advised quantity for adults.

For those who suffer from diabetes balanced eating is also the key as it helps controlthe glucose in blood. Your weight will also stay in control.

People with food allergies or sensitivities are advised to read food labels carefully, make sure to replace the nutrients omitted with substitutes and plan their daily meals.

These are easy tips that one can follow during the day. However, every individual has a unique state of the body and therefore, different needs. So the important question is, what does my body need? To answer this we should first be able to understand the signals our body is emitting and feel which part of us needs special care. Most of us think we know about ourselves really well but none of us can answer exactly why we get heart problems, stomach disorders etc just out of the blue.

Ancient science has revealed that the human body is not only flesh and bone. It is a very intricate combination of matter and spirit. The state of our physical body is greatly affected by the energies of our spiritual body. Every human has within him a dormant energy called `Kundalini`. This energy is called 'inner mother' in many traditions because it, like a mother, can heal and nurture our body. Once awakened, it repairs the body and makes it function as it should.

Moreover, Kundalini energy sends us the signals on the central nervous system that reflect the condition of our body and mind. These signals, which are called `vibrations`, can be felt easily on the finger tips and they fully reflect the unique situation of every individual. Feeling these signals will help you guide yourself and make best decisions as far as your health is concerned.

Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, the founder of Sahaja Yoga meditation, teaches every individual who wishes to learn about the easy way of awakening the inner energy and knowing about one`s own system. Sahaja Yoga is always practiced free of charge and is easily followed by people of all ages as it does not involve any physical exercise. When the question is healthy eating, it is great that Sahaja Yoga can show you what you need to eat and when.

About the Author:

Leonid Sinichkin studied yoga in India and has been giving yoga classes since over 15 years. He himself has experienced a lot of benefits of Sahaja Yoga practice. Visit http://www.sahajayoga.org to learn more about Sahaja Yoga and find classes close to you. Our Turkish readers can find more information about yoga and healthy diet at http://www.sahajayogaportal.org/UstMenu1/SaglikliBeslenme.aspx

Related articles by Zemanta