Food And Lifestyle

The issue that needs to be factored in with respect to our food preferences relates to eating food, especially fruits & vegetables that are not grown in the season in which they are eaten. Question of affordability crops up here as well and so does its agreability.

It has become fashionable to buy expensive fruits and food products grown & produced in far away places in a season they are not grown here. They will certainly not make us yogis and indeed are not in conformity with the ideals of good lifestyle management.

There are also now serious concerns being expressed about genetically modified food with predetermined quantity of glucose content especially in fruits. Scientific investigations being carried out, reveal changes in the body's cellular composition as a result of imbibing large quantities of modified food. It only re- emphasizes the natural superiority of the naturally grown food over engineered food of any kind. 

Ideally speaking our food should belong to the Satvik category should primarily be picked up from what is grown and produced in our neighborhood should be fresh & consist of the seasonal variety.

Gita in chapter 6, verse 17 tenders the following advice in this regard: -

" Yukt Ahar Viharasya

Yukt Cheshtasya Karmasu

Yukt Swapan Bodhasya

Yogo Bhavati Dukh Ha"

Yoga that removes unhappiness is easily available to those who eat in moderation, put in required amount of effort and observe moderate hours of sleep and the awakened state.

Those of us who do not change their eating habits especially with respect to the quantum of food tend to add on weight rather quickly. Largely the problem of Obesity affects people during the second half of their existence. The weaker limbs at that stage also make sure that we do not lose that extra weight very easily.

"Quantity of food that we imbibe must come down proportionately with age."

There is another very interesting feature of our food preferences. We remain largely enslaved by our taste, regardless of the nutrient content or its agreeability with our body needs. Ironically, foods that cause problems to us are the ones that usually form part of our preferred cuisine.

The Bhagwadgita maked a general observation pertaining to several experiences that we come across in life & some of them have relevance to the food intake as well. In chapter 18, verse 37 it says: -

"Yattat Agre Visham Iv

Priname Amritopamam

Tat Sukham Satvikam Proktam

Atma Budhi Prasadjam"

Something that appears bitter and disagreeable like poison in the beginning turns out to be nectar in effect. That is Satvik in nature & provides relief and happiness to mind and body.

'Vishya Indriya Sanyogyat

Yat Tat Agre Amritopamam

Pariname Visham Eev Tat

Sukham Rajasam Smirtam"

Happiness that springs from the conjunction of senses and material objects seems like nectar in the beginning but in effect is poison and is Rajsik in nature.

"Conversely anything that gives great pleasure and happiness to begin with is injurious in the long- run."

Human body, a product of nature is structured to consume natural products and there is a bountiful of naturally grown food available in the Universe. Notwithstanding it's abundant availability, we exhibit a distinct preference for animal food. Would it not be correct to state that animal food is generally meant for animals & human being can actually do without it. Non- availability of alternatives and imperatives of survival may in certain situations justify resorting to eating non- naturally grown food but in a civilized society where man has a free access to multiple choices, preying on animal food seems little far- fetched.