Please note exceptions to normal class schedule below.
The Sweet Life
Sweet Tooth? Do you sometimes binge on sweets only to be left feeling bloated, tired, or disappointed? A recent article in the Wall Street Journal reported that scientific research shows that food cravings are real, but attributes what we crave to cultural and psychological factors. It cited the practice of people, especially women, using refined sweets to self medicate, but without satisfaction.
Ayurveda recognizes the importance of a balanced diet, not only with regard to nutrition but also pertinent to the tastes of what we eat. Each taste (sweet, sour, bitter, salty astringent, and pungent) has a specific effect (increasing or decreasing) on each of the energetic forces, or doshas, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. It is recommended that each of the six tastes be included in every meal to keep a balance of the doshas for optimal health and vibrancy. A craving can indicate that we are deficient in one or more of the tastes in our diet, and that we are likely to be in need of pacifying one or more dosha which may be out of balance at the time.
If we strive to include all six tastes in each meal, we promote a balancing affect to the body's functional energies, thus helping to avoid food cravings or the over-consumption of certain foods. The sweet taste, for example, is particularly pacifying to Vata and Pitta doshas but can be aggravating to Kapha.
Since there is no shortage of sweet taste in most Western diets it's interesting that so many people report craving some form of sugar. The Wall Street Journal article cited that 100% of women and 75% of men surveyed reported having at least one food craving in the past year. Ayurveda suggests that it's not the amount of sweets in our diets but the quality. We may try to restrict sweets, but then when we do eat them it turns into a binge of empty calories. Instead of trying to satisfy your sweet tooth all at once, try eating something sweet at every meal.
Ayurveda recognizes the qualities of foods, not just in the taste to the tongue, but also in the post digestive effect of the taste and special qualities. We understand that sweet taste is not limited to just white sugar. Indeed, fruit, grains, natural sugars, and milk are all considered to be sweet in taste, among many others. This ancient wisdom recommends eliminating refined white sugar from the diet and satisfying our need for sweeteners with healthier, tastier alternatives. Molasses, maple syrup, honey, raw or turbinado sugar, dates, rice syrup, etc. are preferred alternatives.
Sweet tastes can be added throughout the day. Have a little maple syrup on your morning hot cereal. A sweet, juicy piece of fruit makes a tasty snack. Have a slice of whole grain bread with lunch and add a teaspoon of honey to your herbal tea. Fresh dates are a perfect answer to a sweet craving- sticky, sweet, delicious!
Making sure to include all tastes, especially those you sometimes crave, in each meal is a wonderful way to take control of your cravings but there is more you can do: turn off the TV, put down the newspaper, sit down and pay attention to your food when you eat. By savoring your food and paying attention to the tastes, textures and aromas of your meal you give your body and mind the opportunity to be fully satisfied!
Curious? If there is a particular topic in Yoga or Ayurveda that sparks your curiosity, let me know and I will enter it for a future article!
The Sweet Life
Sweet Tooth? Do you sometimes binge on sweets only to be left feeling bloated, tired, or disappointed? A recent article in the Wall Street Journal reported that scientific research shows that food cravings are real, but attributes what we crave to cultural and psychological factors. It cited the practice of people, especially women, using refined sweets to self medicate, but without satisfaction.
Ayurveda recognizes the importance of a balanced diet, not only with regard to nutrition but also pertinent to the tastes of what we eat. Each taste (sweet, sour, bitter, salty astringent, and pungent) has a specific effect (increasing or decreasing) on each of the energetic forces, or doshas, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. It is recommended that each of the six tastes be included in every meal to keep a balance of the doshas for optimal health and vibrancy. A craving can indicate that we are deficient in one or more of the tastes in our diet, and that we are likely to be in need of pacifying one or more dosha which may be out of balance at the time.
If we strive to include all six tastes in each meal, we promote a balancing affect to the body's functional energies, thus helping to avoid food cravings or the over-consumption of certain foods. The sweet taste, for example, is particularly pacifying to Vata and Pitta doshas but can be aggravating to Kapha.
Since there is no shortage of sweet taste in most Western diets it's interesting that so many people report craving some form of sugar. The Wall Street Journal article cited that 100% of women and 75% of men surveyed reported having at least one food craving in the past year. Ayurveda suggests that it's not the amount of sweets in our diets but the quality. We may try to restrict sweets, but then when we do eat them it turns into a binge of empty calories. Instead of trying to satisfy your sweet tooth all at once, try eating something sweet at every meal.
Ayurveda recognizes the qualities of foods, not just in the taste to the tongue, but also in the post digestive effect of the taste and special qualities. We understand that sweet taste is not limited to just white sugar. Indeed, fruit, grains, natural sugars, and milk are all considered to be sweet in taste, among many others. This ancient wisdom recommends eliminating refined white sugar from the diet and satisfying our need for sweeteners with healthier, tastier alternatives. Molasses, maple syrup, honey, raw or turbinado sugar, dates, rice syrup, etc. are preferred alternatives.
Sweet tastes can be added throughout the day. Have a little maple syrup on your morning hot cereal. A sweet, juicy piece of fruit makes a tasty snack. Have a slice of whole grain bread with lunch and add a teaspoon of honey to your herbal tea. Fresh dates are a perfect answer to a sweet craving- sticky, sweet, delicious!
Making sure to include all tastes, especially those you sometimes crave, in each meal is a wonderful way to take control of your cravings but there is more you can do: turn off the TV, put down the newspaper, sit down and pay attention to your food when you eat. By savoring your food and paying attention to the tastes, textures and aromas of your meal you give your body and mind the opportunity to be fully satisfied!
Curious? If there is a particular topic in Yoga or Ayurveda that sparks your curiosity, let me know and I will enter it for a future article!
