Our Food

Experiences of a senior sannyasin

Eat lightly cooked natural food. Only eat when you are really hungry. Food should be properly chewed and eaten slowly whilst enjoying the taste and flavour. If we eat fast, it is difficult to digest and we are inclined to eat a larger quantity than is required. Eat to fulfil three quarters of your hunger. Take plenty of green vegetables and fruits. Sprouts are a rich source of vitamins and minerals and should be taken with each meal. Roughage is also necessary. Reduce fried food, hot spices and chillies. Avoid processed food, white flour, cakes, pastries etc. and sweet carbonated drinks. Two cups of tea or coffee a day are enough. If attending a party where there is heavy food, eat less than normal.

Drink plenty of water during the day, and at least two glasses before attending to nature's call. 1.25 litres of water drunk first thing in the morning improves evacuation of the bowels and cleanses the system of bile and phlegm.

Overweight persons need not go on a starvation diet. Reduce the intake of starch and sugar and increase vegetables, fruit and roughage. Wheat bran is excellent. Bake slightly and mix with vegetables or add to wheat flour to make chapatis.

At meal times be in a relaxed mood, free from all worries. Sit in vajrasana after every meal. Allow a gap of 2 to 3 hours between dinner and sleeping. 90% of illness is due to wrong food, irregular living habits and tension which creates toxins in our body which then accumulate in the weak spots in our systems causing disease.

Try to fast twice a month. Fasting on water is best but juices and/or juicy fruit can be taken. If fasting is not possible, at least miss the evening meal once or twice a week and eat juicy fruit instead.

Eat to live, not live to eat