Foods to eat before and after yoga

by Darlene
(PEI)

I am verily new to yoga and find eating chicken, soup or bread before yoga makes me feel terrible, please help. I want to know of foods that do not make me tired or in a slump...Darlene

Answer

Hello Darlene.. Here are my suggestions.

Eating Before Yoga
Eating before and after yoga is a frequently asked question by most yoga practitioners. Yoga is not like any other exercise and is best done on an empty stomach. You will enjoy doing yoga if your stomach is empty. There should be interval of at least 3 hours between your last meal and yoga practice.

In three hours time, body is able to digest most of the food resulting in empty stomach required for yoga. In these 3 hours prior to yoga session do not eat anything, exception can be lime juice or fruits preferably. A cup of coffee or half a glass of milk will also do in case you feel better that way. In case you feel too hungry, eat some fruits at least 45 minutes to one hour before your yoga class. If you want to eat bread, heavy snacks or chicken, eat it well before your yoga class.

Eating before yoga will depend on how fast the foods get digested in the stomach. Water will take 15-20 minutes, fruits 30 to 40 minutes, light meals may take 2 hours, heavy meal high on fat content and spices may take three hours or more to get digested.

Best bet is to eat a fruit 45 minutes before yoga. If doing yoga in the morning, drink a cup of tea, warm lime juice with honey or half a glass of warm milk. So there are lot of choices here.

Before going to yoga class, be cheerful, be contented. If you need to eat before yoga class, you must. Eat well before going for yoga class.

Why not to eat before Yoga?
During the yoga asanas especially forward and reverse bending poses, there is pressure on abdominal organs which may push the food upwards resulting in feeling of great discomfort. In addition, if you do yoga while digestive processes are on, most of the blood circulation will be diverted to digestive tract.

What to Eat?
If you have started doing yoga, you can not modify your eating habits in a day. I suggest do not make sudden changes to your diet but gradually move towards yogic way of eating. This will keep you healthy and save tons of money on junk food. As you become more self aware with yoga practice, you will be able to exercise more control over your eating. Your need for food also reduces as well as better restraint to avoid binge eating. Try to understand the basic tenets of yogic diet.

• Lay more stress on easily digestible foods like raw, whole grain and organic foods.


• Your food must be sattvik.


• Eat for nutrition and not for taste.


• Fresh fruits and some nuts taken daily can provide you required energy.


• Gradually decrease the consumption of meat products.


• Eat and drink in moderation.


• Avoid spicy food.

Doing Yoga in the Morning

• On waking up drink 2-3 glasses of water. Take a glass of fresh lime juice in lukewarm water along with a spoon of honey. Clear your bowels before doing yoga.


• This is all what you need before a yoga practice. Thereafter you can enjoy your yoga practice on empty stomach. People who are used to drinking bed tea may take half a cup of tea but gradually try to avoid taking tea before yoga practice.


• Do not eat 30 minutes after the class. After half an hour of your yoga practice drink a glass of warm milk or fruit juice.

Doing Yoga in the Evening

• Do not eat 3 hours prior to your yoga practice.


• In the lunch, eat easily digestible foods like soups,sprouts, fruits and vegetables. Avoid fried, meat and heavy grain foods.


• Do not eat anything for at least 30 minute after the yoga class

Though Yoga is not exactly an exercise, here is a good link about eating before or after exercising

Hope this helps.
Daljit

P.S You are welcome to share your comments or experiences.