What influences our food choices? TASTE!!! Nutrition knowledge Access Affordability Time Spirituality

Examples of spiritual dietary rules Islam- avoid pork, only eat Halal meat Mormon- avoid tea, coffee, alcohol Hindu- avoid beef, pork, eggs Judaism- avoid pork, seafood, meat/poultry, only eat Kosher foods Islam: Halal meat contains no pork. Halal Meat and Poultry: That which is slaughtered according to the Islamic method of slaughtering animals and birds. Halal Fish: Fish or seafood from unpolluted waters. Judaism: Kosher food:Kosher: Meat-- Animals are considered kosher if they chew their cud and have divided hoofs (cows, goats, sheep, etc.); the eating of meat from any animal that does not chew its cud and have divided hoofs is prohibited (pork and its derivatives). * Kosher: Poultry-- Kosher fowl are primarily those that are not birds of prey (chicken, ducks, geese, turkeys). All of the above must be slaughtered and dressed in the prescribed manner to be considered kosher. *Kosher: Fish-- Fish are considered kosher if they have both scales and fins (carp, salmon, whitefish, tuna, etc.). Unlike meat, they do not have to be slaughtered ordressed in any prescribed manner. Furthermore, fish may be eaten with dairy products if prepared with a non-meat shortening or broiled. Utensils used for the preparation and serving of non-kosher food may not be used for kosher food or vegetables.

Examples of spiritual dietary rules The Spiritual Path of Siddha Yoga recommends a Lacto-Vegetarian Diet within the Ashram. Outside of the Ashram, the adherents are encouraged to follow a vegetarian diet in as much as that is possible considering their environment. Source: Correctional Services of Canada http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/prgrm/chap/diet/diete-03_e.shtml Traditionally, ashrams were usually located far from human habitation, in forests or mountainous regions, amidst refreshing natural surroundings conducive to spiritual instruction and meditation. Spiritual and physical exercises, such as the various forms of Yoga, were regularly performed by the residents of an ashram. Other sacrifices and penances, such as Yajnas were also performed. Many Ashrams also served as Gurukuls or residential schools for children. The word ashram is derived from the Sanskrit term "aashraya", which means protection.

The Yogic/Sattvic Diet For information purposes only. Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services

The Yogic/Sattvic Diet Yoga teaches that a vegetarian diet is best for spiritual life but also for good overall health “Various grains, fruits, roots; and for beverages: milk and pure water openly exposed to air and sun- are decidedly the best natural food for man.” –Sri Yukteswar (the guru of Paramahansa Yogananda ) For information purposes only. Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services

More than a Vegetarian diet The sattvic diet is a spiritual type of vegetarianism. Body consciousness, calming of the mind, increased prana and spiritual fastings are all a part of this lifestyle. For this reason, the sattvic diet is much more disciplined than a vegetarian diet. What does fasting mean? For information purposes only. Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services

Definitions Sattva Prana Guna The quality of purity and goodness The life force Food is seen to be the carrier of prana Guna Type of category of food For information purposes only. Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services

Traditional Sattvic Diet Consists of organic, whole, natural fruits & vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds Organically grown foods, naturally ripened and harvested often carry the highest level of prana Preparation The attitude in which food is prepared is just as important as the quality of the food itself Foods grown and prepared with care and a positive feeling will ensure only nourishment is being absorbed For information purposes only. Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services

Modern Sattvic Diet Vegetarian Does not include White flour, White sugar, Junk food, Excessively spicy or salty foods, Fried food, and Other forms of food that unnaturally stimulate your mind and/or blood sugar It avoids meat, alcohol, garlic and onions. Some also exclude fish and eggs. For information purposes only. Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services

Three Gunas of Food Sattvic Rajastic Tamasic Foods which are considered clean and pure Savoury, smooth, firm and pleasant to the stomach Rajastic Foods that cause over-stimulation and agitation Pungent, sour, harsh or astringent Tamasic Foods that leave us tired and sluggish Stale, tasteless, rotten or foul In the unmanifested universe, energy has 3 qualities: Sattva (purity), Rajas (activity, passion) and Tamas (darkness, inertia). For information purposes only. Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services

Apple Example On an apple tree, all 3 energies can be seen Ripe fruit (Sattvic) Ripening fruit (rajasic) Overripe (tamasic) For information purposes only. Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services

Sattvic Foods Light in nature Easy to digest Refreshing and not disturbing to the mind Eaten in modest portions and chewed slowly to enjoy taste and texture of the food itself, not spices or seasonings For information purposes only. Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services

Fresh Organic Fruit Most fruit are considered sattvic Examples are apples, grapes, berries, bananas, apricots, melons, oranges, peaches and plums For information purposes only. Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services

Fresh Organic Vegetables Most mild vegetables are sattvic Leafy greens, beets, carrots, squash, celery sweet potatoes and cucumber Some vegetables are rajastic and tamasic Pungent (rajastic): hot peppers, onions and garlic Gas-forming (tamasic): mushrooms and potatoes For information purposes only. Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services

Fresh Organic Milk Products Milk & dairy can be consumed if the product is organic and the cows have been treated fair and raised naturally It is believed that excess mucous and toxins are released in badly treated cow’s milk Milk can be diluted and warmed with mild spices and served with raw honey to overcome mucous forming tendencies *Caution- raw honey may not be safe* Examples Milk, clarified butter, fresh cheese, whey and fresh yogurt Raw honey has not been pasteurized and is more likely to cause food poisoning (botulism) For information purposes only. Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services

Nuts, Seeds & Oils Small portions of nuts and seeds (not overly roasted or salted) Flax seeds, sesame seeds, walnuts and pine nuts (peeled and soaked) Olive, sesame and flax oil (cold pressed) For information purposes only. Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services

Whole grains Organic rice, barley, spelt whole wheat and oatmeal Yeasted breads are not recommended unless it is toasted Lightly roasting grains prior to preparation will help to remove their heavy quality I wasn’t able to find out why the toasting makes yeast breads ok. For information purposes only. Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services

Legumes Lentils, split peas, organic tofu and bean sprouts are all considered sattvic The general rule is that the smaller the bean the easier it is to digest If consumed with whole grains it offers a complete protein combination For information purposes only. Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services

Spices & Sweeteners Mild spices including basil, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, fennel, fresh ginger and turmeric Spices like black pepper, red pepper and garlic are generally considered rajastic, but are sometimes used in small amounts Raw honey and raw sugar (Caution: raw honey may not be safe) For information purposes only. Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services

Supplementary Protein Various approaches Most Yogis do not eat flesh foods. It is believed that the anger and killing the animal is transferred during consumption Another approach is to avoid the flesh of mammals. This allows for consumption of fish, poultry and eggs. However, they should not be consumed more than four times per week A more strict approach relies solely on dairy products for protein, because it is non-harming and given freely For information purposes only. Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services

Is there any scientific evidence to support the yogic diet? Indian study: “Linkage of concepts of good nutrition in yoga and modern science” 2007, Current Science For information purposes only. Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services

Study Findings Sattvic food found to be high in micronutrient density (ie. Lots of nutrition per calorie) Most Sattvic food found to be low in fat (only 18% were high fat) 42% of Rajistic foods high in fat 72% of Tamasic foods high in fat For information purposes only. Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services

Study Findings Significant association between Tamasic food intake and anxiety Supports mind-body principle of yoga For information purposes only. Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services

"Food is a dynamic force which interacts with the human on the physical body level, the mind emotional level, and also the energetic and spiritual level. The study of nutrition is the study of the interaction with and assimilation of the dynamic forces of food by the dynamic forces of our total being.”-- Gabriel Cousens, M.D., Spiritual Nutrition and The Rainbow Diet For information purposes only. Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services