We know that food has a huge impact on all parts of our life, but did you know that it can be significant support for your meditation and general mood? The phase you are what you eat has never been more appropriate than for wellness!
You can support all parts of your meditation with some pre-planning and the right snacks.
Is there a meditation diet?
Diet, in this sense, isn’t about cutting calories; it is about an eating plan that supports your overall goals. In Ayurvedic tradition, what we eat can be put into three groups, rajas, tamas, and sattva. Tama and rajas are believed to work against the body, so they won’t give you the balance you need, while sattva is said to support you.
Sattva foods include tofu, herbal teas, nuts, and seeds (salted and roasted are fine), fresh fruit and vegetables, and whole grains. Of course, you don’t have to stick to it, but the belief is these give you the balance you need for a positive and uplifting meditation.
Pre Meditation
For morning meditation, many people choose to do this fastest. Eating and drinking wake up the system and, for some things, can make it more difficult to tune everything out. However, eating nourishing light foods can support a feeling of calm and peace.
A green smoothie packed with apples, spinach, blueberries, and coconut water can wake you up the right way. It’s anti-inflammatory but also is a gentle wake-up for your system. Try to leave about 30-60 minutes between enjoying your smoothie and meditating.
Can I eat while meditating?
While the picture we get of meditation is that of stillness and sitting on the floor or a meditation chair, it actually comes in many forms. Mindful eating is one of the ways that the two can be combined, and it involves paying attention to the creation of the meal as well as the eating.
Focusing on how the food tastes, the textures, how you cooked it – even try and pick out the different seasonings.
And it is important to remember that not everyone can comfortably sit still while meditating, so the practice can be changed to fit your needs. It really comes down to the goal you have and what you wish to get out of the session.
Many people find it more comfortable with journaling while they do their practice, with small light snacks, water, or drawing. Anything that pulls you into the moment and causes you to be present is ideal.
Can you deepen meditation with food?
Yes, if you change what you eat, and sometimes the amount (nothing too heavy), then you can find yourself finally reaching the deeper state you are looking for. Meditation is often blighted by having a lot of thoughts and not being able to quiet your mind.
We know that there are a lot of foods that can help you be calm and happy. So to get that deep meditation, here are a couple of foods that are highly recommended.
Feed your life force (prana) with easily digested food like grains, soups, or salads. It’s lightwork for the body and gives you space to get into the zone for meditation.
Green and herbal teas like chamomile or jasmine can give us a sense of calm that you can bring with you into your session. A lot of water is also highly recommended, so sip water all day rather than glug a big glass ahead of meditation.
If you don’t like the idea of water, or it just feels boring to you, make it something delicious here: Stay Hydrated With Fruit and Herb Infused Water.
Eating a heavy meal before meditating will force your body to metabolize it, and that takes energy away from your practice – so fruits, veggies, and nothing oily are ideal.
What should I eat after meditating?
Depending on how long you have meditated and how you meditate (fasted or not), you are going to be hungry after. The body often craves energy, and we can interpret that as carbohydrates and gluten-rich foods.
However, if you prepare something for post-meditation, you won’t ruin the peace and balance with something that will immediately make you feel sluggish.
If you are trying to eat in a more sattva way, then preparing a salad or some fruit in advance will mean you can reach for it straight away. Here are a couple of the best options to have ready for after your meditation:
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