10 Best Foods for a Yoga Diet

1. Pears

A pear’s high fibre content means this juicy fruit is more likely to keep you satisfied until your next meal. Pears are also a rich source of fructose and sucrose, simple sugars that provide an instant energy boost to get your body in flow for your next yoga class.

2. Whole grains

An hour or two before yoga class, snack on foods rich in carbohydrates and that have a low glycemic index ‘ a piece of whole grain toast is the perfect option to meet these criteria.

3. Bananas

Bananas are a great source of digestible carbohydrates, which easily convert to workout fuel. The fruit is also packed with potassium, a nutrient that can help reduce cramping and that is often lost through perspiration. (Try our Banana Bliss Smoothie Recipe!)

4. Tofu

Made from curdled soybean milk, tofu is a great source of vegan protein, as well as an excellent source of iron, calcium and vitamin E. Tofu also contains isoflavones, which help to reduce the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or bad cholesterol, in your body and in turn can boost your cardiovascular health.

5. Jackfruit

Don’t want to miss a yoga class due to being sick? Jackfruit is a great source of vitamin C and antioxidants, which can strengthen your immune system, protecting the body from common diseases such as cough, cold and flu.

6. Leafy green vegetables

After oxygenating your blood with your breath during practice, you want to give your body good nutritional support to keep it going. Dark leafy greens such as kale, arugula and spinach are excellent sources of protein, iron, calcium and fibre, and help to alkalize the blood. They’re also a good source of B vitamins, so be sure to incorporate them into a smoothie or in a salad for a post-workout meal.

7. Pecans

This sweet-tasting tree nut is high in B vitamins such as B1 and B6, which help your body convert food into energy. Pecans also contain antioxidants and monounsaturated fats, which studies suggest may help reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.

8. Beets

The nitrates in beets widen blood vessels, allowing more oxygen-rich blood to be delivered to the muscles. In turn, less lactic acid builds up in the muscles (a build up of lactic acid is what causes the burning sensation felt during difficult yoga poses). So, eating beets after a yoga class is an effective way to reduce feeling sore and fatigued after a yoga class.

9. Watermelon

Watermelon’s high water content’it’s made up of 92 percent water’makes it a natural thirst-quencher and will help your body replenish fluids after an exerting yoga class.

10. Honey

Practicing yoga can be taxing on the body, so it’s important to keep the circulatory system and the blood chemistry in balance. Honey is one of nature’s energy boosters’consume it with warm water or your favourite herbal tea to bring balance back to the body’s systems.