A really wonderful aspect of my teacher training was the attention we paid to learning about food and nourishment. One of the first days of training my teacher brought out a basket of root vegetables and we passed them around smelling their earthy aromas. In my experience the practice of yoga embraces knowledge of the body beyond the mere physical practice. Not only do you get physically fit and toned, but if you're open to it, it can also teach you how to pay closer attention to your body and how you feed it. How we eat can have a stark influence on how we feel physically and mentally in general as well as when we practice.
I have to say I have been blessed with a speedy metabolism, parents who never had junk food and soda in the house (except for the occasional Canada Dry Ginger Ale which now tastes like candy to me), and a mother who (in my humble opinion) is one of the best cooks in the world and who made us a scrumptious and wholesome dinner almost every evening when I was growing up.
In reflection of my food experiences growing up and knowing what I know now, from insightful information shared by my yoga teacher, books that I've read and simple experimentation of my own (eliminating all simple carbs for 3 weeks, for example) food (combined with an excercise regimen) has everything to do with how you feel physically and mentally. I'm not a doctor or a nutritionist (perhaps in the next lifetime), but the insights I've gained have been so profound on my lifestyle, choices and understanding of my own body that I feel a need to share. While I can write a whole book on on it all, here are some quick insights from my experience:
- Gravitate toward whole foods. These foods are typically located outside of the isles in a supermarket and are never packaged or mixed with other ingredients or preservatives. A great rule of thumb that I was once told is stay away from anything that has more than 5 ingredients or ingredients that you can barely pronounce.
- Notice how you feel after you eat. Energized? Lethargic? Antsy? Bloated? Tired? Balanced? Observing your body's reactions can influence the choices you make in terms of what to eat in the future because you'll know exactly how you'll feel after having that 4-cheese grilled cheese for instance (mmm, I know :) ) And the more energized and balanced you feel the more inclined you'll be to go exercise, do yoga and be active.
- Never feel bad about eating something! If you choose to have it, enjoy it! Why wouldn't you? For the next time, know that you can choose differently.
- If you forbid yourself from indulging in something, it's guaranteed to backfire. Marc David, in Nourishing Wisdom, brilliantly writes, "...whenever something is stamped "forbidden" or labeled "wrong," we naturally seek to integrate it." It's just how our psychology works. Instead, moderation is key.
- Experiment one week or one month with eliminating something that inherently lacks wholesome nutritional value - anything processed, Coca-Cola, dairy, anything with gluten, etc. and see what happens. Perhaps you won't observe any changes, but at least you'll know.
- Cook for yourself whenever you get a chance! So many of us don't have time, but even if it's once a week we are taking better care of ourselves because we know exactly what goes into those meals. Besides, it's the mindset and the baby steps that count! And if you need more reason or inspiration here's a great article that will make you realize how easy and quick cooking can be!
I don't espouse any particular diet (vegetarianism works so well for some, but not at all for others) or in eating any particular way all your life because every single one of us is different and our bodies constantly go through changes. But knowing which nutrients you need to maintain your health and well-being leads to making better choices.
We eat to be healthy, to take pleasure in savoring flavors that tickle our tongues and enjoy the company of others while doing so, and to obtain the necessary nutrients that sustain us. So indulge mindfully.
And here are some amazing books on food and nourishment:
- Nourishing Wisdom by Marc David
- The Self Healing Cook Book by Kristina Turner
- Sugar Blues by William Dufty
- In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
- The China Study by T. Colin Cambell, PhD and Thomas M. Campbell II (Also check out Nurtrition Advice from the China Study)
- Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy by Walter C. Willett, M.D.