A new man to yoga - food advice.

[Downward-dog]

Namaste,

I am a year old male, and I am quite new to yoga. I have rheumatism so it's very hard sometimes to do some asana's but I can get around!

But the real thing is now I am doing yoga the asana's I want to dive further. Sri Drhama Mittra I bought his dvd and he really convinced me to start living a bitter life taking the Yamas and Niyamas in mind. To cleanse my body, he holds the view that you should not eat animals becuase he sees that as violence.

Now he seems to drink a lot of juice and fruits. I am not in a position where I can make fresh juice everyday, but I sure can blend stuff. I myself am looking for advice on what I could possible do. I want to live more healthy and I want to eat less meat or maybe no meat at all anymore. But I know my parents that still cook might be dissapointed as it will be a bother if I quit eating meat.

On the other hand I also need to get a substitute. I hope you people can help me with some good resources. That are not to expensive. Thanks!

[Mykal K]

Hi,
I read somewhere not long ago that the intestinal flora might be somehow connected with rheumatism. This article (http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/38/11/1039.full) says that as well if I read it correctly, and it also states that vegeterian diet could be beneficial in that regard.
On that account maybe you could try out kefir (home grown), but keep in mind I am just a lay person.
If you will be lacto-vegeterian, I do not think you need substitutes. And if you eat eggs, you are surely without problems. Generally try to eat healthy food(not overly processed) and diverse. Legumes are foods you want to get to know better.  
If you think vegan, somebody else will have to fill you in. I read that Kombucha can give you the B12, that is not expensive. But others will know better, I am sure.
Can't help you with your parents, mine are still not used to me being a vegeterian after 4 years. In my country vegeterians are still black sheep. My diet hasn't changed at all, I just leave out the meat. And we make our own bread. Works well for me, but I have been eating 'healthy' before.

Hope this help somewhat,
Mykal

[riptiz]

Hi,
Eat fresh vegetables in abundance. Organic if possible.Fresh water. Avoid sugar and carbohydrates,(grains etc). Limit fruits(substitute with vegetables)to avoid sugar. Regular exercise.Avoid artificial sweeteners.
L&L Dave

[tonightsthenight]

I'll second lots of water and avoid processed foods