Paramhansa Yogananda’s Recommended Diet

Question

What is the best and most spiritual diet one can follow in a week? I got an inspiration to try healthy food/right time for a while (hopefully for long), so would like to try out Ananda’s method.

Thank You!

—Kailash, India

Answer

Dear Kailash,

According to Paramhansa Yogananda food should be viewed in terms of life force and energy. Life energy sustains us and is responsible for our well-being.

Therefore our diet should include only foods that are easily converted into energy.

Our thoughts, actions, and health are generally determined by the foods that we eat, so we need to choose foods that are rich in life force, calm our nervous system and help to uplift and expand our consciousness.

Foods that are refined, processed and preserved should be avoided because they have lost their life force.

Eat Prana by Ruby Stoppe

The diet that Paramhansa Yogananda recommended for the body includes: fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes, nuts, seeds, some dairy products, and spices. This is a diet that help us to live a balanced life, keep our worldly duties, and meditate deeply.

Yogananda said that vegetarianism is in alignment with the consciousness of Dwapara Yuga, the age of energy.

Try to avoid, as much as possible, acid forming foods like meat, coffee, sugar, and white flour products.

Yogananda recommended for a person with good health a diet that includes:

60% fruits and vegetables, 20% protein, and 20% starches and simple carbohydrates.

Here are some great resources from Ananda that can help you:

How to Achieve Glowing Health and Vitality by Paramhansa Yogananda

Vegetarian Cooking for Starters by Diksha McCord

Vegetarian Cooking Online for Health and Vitality with Diksha McCord

Introduction to a Vegetarian Diet

Blessings,

Diksha