The ancient science of Ayurveda teaches us that we must treat our body like a temple with daily exercises, a balanced diet, and a good amount of rest. Therefore, no matter which style of yoga you are practicing, whether relaxing Yin or Ashtanga, if you want to increase the benefits of your yoga practices, it is vital to keep in mind that a post-yoga diet is an essential matter.

Like other physical activities, nutrition after practicing yoga also has a significant impact. Even though yoga might not seem taxing, it helps burn calories. If you are skipping your post-yoga meal, you will experience loss of muscle and put a limit on your benefits.

But even here also, your post-yoga diet depends highly on whether you have practiced yoga early in the morning or late in the evening.

If you had effective yoga, no matter the time of the day, there is a high chance that you must have sweated a lot. If so, the best is to drink a lot of water. It will hydrate your skin as well as muscles while making you feel fresh and alive. You can also drink coconut water or fresh lime water.

Even though the kind of food you select might vary based on the type of yoga, you have practiced and the time of the day, it is always good to eat a meal with a good amount of carbohydrates and protein that will refuel your body and mind. You might know that your body is highly receptive to getting nutrients within 2 hours of doing physical activities. Therefore, after a yoga session, refuel your body with a snack or meal containing carbohydrates and protein. This will assist you in rebuilding and repairing your muscle tissues and bringing back your energy level.

Now let us know in detail about the post-yoga diet based on the timing of yoga practices:

Early morning yoga practice: If you are a yogi who loves going to bed early, as you know that rising with the sun has a good effect on your mind and body, you will most likely start sun salutation with an empty stomach. So, it’s pretty standard that your nutritional requirements will also be different. After a yoga class in the early morning, it is vital to rehydrate your body with some glass of water. Then you can start your day with some healthy balanced nutrients, which will restore your muscles and offer a good amount of energy to start your day. Some of the excellent food items are

• Kiwi smoothie
• Scrambled eggs with some veggies and a whole-grain toast.
• A smoothie has green or chia seeds.
• Oatmeal cooked with almond milk, walnuts, and berries.

Lunchtime yoga: After you practice yoga in the afternoon before your lunchtime, it is good to eat nourishing foods to get you through the whole day. As the afternoon is linked with a mid-day slump most of the time, you will need an energizing lunch. This must be a meal that must be a little heavy. Some of the options are

• • A plate of salad
  • Hummus with some sprouted grain crackers
  • Bread and some veggies with a fresh fruit
  • A sprouted grain wrapping with some black beans, guacamole, and salsa.
  • Ego destroying pose

  All of these meals provide you with some of the healthy ways for nourishing your body, and you will not feel sleepy. However, it’s best to stay away from protein shakes as no matter how healthy they sound, they still contain many preservatives, sugars, and more protein than you need. Instead, a bowl of green salads with veggies and a whole grain cracker will offer you everything you require to regain your energy and support your muscles.

  Evening yoga practice:The kind of meal you will select after practicing evening yoga depends on whether you have had your dinner or you will have your dinner after yoga class. It is pretty tempting to skip your meal after your evening yoga practice. Even though it’s not recommended to go to your bed with a full stomach, an empty stomach is also not good. To make sure your body is recovering well while sleeping, it’s better to eat something light at least an hour before you go to bed. Some of the best options are light soup, a piece of fruit with coconut water, or a banana with a date spread. Do not eat nuts late in the evening as it keeps you awake at night.

  The food you always eat indeed makes a significant difference, you should also make sure that you are hydrating your body with a lot of water. Sometimes water alone is insufficient, and you require some extra electrolytes after practicing yoga. You can take coconut water post-workout for a healthy boost.

  Foods to avoid

  When the matter is about your post-workout meal, it is often recommended to avoid foods high in sugar and fat. While it might be satisfying to your mouth, it can hamper your fitness goal. Instead, ensure you have healthy snacks and nourishing foods while practicing. These foods offer you a good option for nourishing your body and supports all bodily function with time.

  Conclusion

  Even though you will not have to follow a strict meal plan after practicing yoga, these are some post-yoga meals or snacks you need to eat to achieve your fitness goal.