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 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 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.

For information purposes only. Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services Definitions

 Sattva  The quality of purity and goodness  Prana  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  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,For information rotten purposes oronly. foul Does not represent the recommendations of Public Health Services