Finding balance does not begin and end on our yoga mat. What we choose to eat (and how it is prepared) has a tremendous impact on our general health along with our mood. Inherently, our bodies crave balance. The Balance Chart (see photo) is one clear way to realize what effects different categories of food have on us.
Since our body wants to be in balance, if we tend to consume from one end of the food spectrum, we will crave something from the opposite end. Yin foods are lighter, have sweet, sour or bitter tastes. They give a quality of relaxation and expansiveness to the eater. Yang foods are contractive. They are dense and heavy. Their tastes are salty, bland or meaty. Yang foods give focus and can cause tension. If you tend to eat at one end of the spectrum, (consuming lots of meat for example) you may notice that you crave things at the opposite end (desserts, alcohol for example). This is your body’s way of searching for balance. If you tend towards these extremes in your diet, you may notice mood swings and a general feeling of ill-health.
An alternative approach is to consume most of your diet from the center. These foods include whole grains, beans, fish, vegetables and fruits. The more you can include these types of foods into your daily diet, the more you can feel energized, clear, and less stressed. Over time, you will see reduced cravings for those extreme foods. Use these tips to help bring you back to your center.
*Adapted from The Self-Healing Cookbook by Kristina Turner
