Attention: Vegetarians

Healthy alternatives

The vegetarian diet can be difficult to adapt to, but there are so many good benefits it has on your body and the environment is well worth your attempts. In this article, we hope to fill you in on on topics regarding vegetarianism that you may not be familiar with in order to increase your knowledge of how a vegetarian diet is helpful.

Balanced diet

Be aware of what you are eating and your needs. Iron is an important mineral that is often found in meat, and so in order to meet their body’s needs, vegetarians can eat dried beans, green leafy vegetables and dried fruits. Female vegetarians in particular need to regulate their levels of iron because much of the body’s iron supply is depleted during menstruation. A lack of iron can be a risk for an iron deficiency or anemia. However, do not worry too much. If you’re unsure on how much iron you should be getting in order to be in good health, you should speak to a dietitian who can help you to identify exactly how much you need. Wai Lana Natural Supplementsis a great source of nutritional information and of of natural supplements of all sorts.

Simple truths about vegetarianism
- While most vegetarians do their best to avoid eating any meat or animal products whatsoever, it is important to note that even simply reducing the quantity of meat and dairy products that you eat can be a significant towards keeping better health. Scientific studies show vegetarians have lower risk for developing heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity. Isn't that amazing? Even just be making simple dietary changes can be for one’s health, and decreasing meat consumption can offer similar effects albeit to a lesser degree.

Misconceptions
- Some people believe that just by not eating meat, they can maintain proper health. However, it is important to realize that there is plenty of fat that can enter your diet through processed or fried foods. Also, nuts are very high in both protein and fat, so one is encouraged to watch their intakes in order to ensure that they take in only a small amount of fat.

The king of vitamins
- Of all of the vitamins that are deemed important to the body by health experts, only one vitamin can not be found in a vegetarian diet – vitamin B12. Luckily, individuals who are worried about their bodies getting all of the nutrition that they need can take supplements in order to fulfill their daily requirement of B12. Other vitamins can be found in fruits, vegetables, and grains in abundance. Wai Lana Easy Yoga's natural supplements are a great source for natural supplements and other all-natural foods.

Add variety in your diet
- Having vegetarian friends who cook well can be one of the most important things you can have that will help you to stick to your diet. Wailana has some delightful cook books and a huge range of vegetarian recipes and meat-substitution techniques that you will find useful. She also offers tips like be sure to stock your house with all types of vegetarian food and snacks that you and your family love. You may even want to get a ‘car kit’ together full of vegetarian snacks so that you can ensure you’ll have something to eat if you end up stuck somewhere where you cannot find any vegetarian food.

Yogi Diet

weekly recipe
yoga diet


Food for the Body That's Good for the Soul
A real yogi eats to live, rather than living to eat. This doesn't mean your food has to be tasteless, though. In fact, cooking has always been one of my favorite hobbies. Over the years, my family and friends have patiently tested my kitchen creations (which, I must admit, sometimes flopped). But after trying out hundreds of dishes, I now have quite a few tried and true recipes to share with you that are healthful, tasty, and easy to prepare. I'll post a new favorite here each week, so check back often for delicious new additions to your diet.

So what do yogis eat? A vegetarian yoga diet, of course, consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables, beans and grains, nuts and seeds, and a moderate amount of dairy products. You can prepare countless dishes using various combinations of these nutritious foods. Fry up some spices and turn a plain vegetable dish into a savory Indian curry. Add herbs for a Mediterranean flavor or ginger and coconut milk for a delightful Thai entree. With scrumptious and satisfying dishes, even the die-hard meat-eaters in your family won't miss the meat. And if they think "vegetarian" means bland and boring, they're in for a pleasant surprise.

A Spiritual Diet
You don't have to be a vegetarian to do yoga, but as you become more aware of your body, you'll find that eating meat makes you feel heavy. A vegetarian diet, on the other hand, helps you maintain the light and energized feeling you get from practicing yoga. Just go easy on the fried spring rolls and cheese dishes—they can put on the pounds.

The yoga diet is especially important if we want to elevate our consciousness to the stage where we're feeling love and compassion for all living beings—including animals. Eating them, rather than respecting and caring about them, simply hardens our hearts, moving this goal beyond our reach.


Making the Switch
Switching to a vegetarian diet isn't hard as long as you have tasty alternatives. And you don't have to do it overnight. First cut down on red meat, then gradually eliminate it from your diet. As you find other vegetarian foods you enjoy, you can gradually give up poultry, fish, and eggs. You'll join the ranks of thousands of new vegetarians, many of whom have changed their diets for health reasons now that flesh foods have been linked to cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, and so on. Even cutting back on meat a little will benefit you—and I'm hoping my recipes make this transition easy and enjoyable.

Don't worry about getting enough protein. Vegetarians get lots of protein in legumes, grains, and the like. Even the U.S. Department of Agriculture places meat second to last in importance, behind grains, fruits, and vegetables. There's now a vegetarian food pyramid and a wealth of scientific evidence proving the health benefits of the yoga diet. I have my own living proof: My three healthy and athletic kids—vegetarians since conception!

So try out this week's recipe or browse the site for something that catches your fancy. And be sure to visit us again for more tasty and healthful "eat to live" recipes. Bon appetit!

From Wailana Yoga