Yoga is an exercise that revitalizes your body and mind and enables you to get the best out of both. To be the best yogi and vegan, your body will want to be fueled with the proper nutrients. You can enjoy yoga and a good vegan snack despite the protein deficit notion.
Here are some of the best pre and post yoga vegan snacks.
Pre-Yoga Vegan snacks
1. Banana-Berries Morning Snack
As popularly believed by most yogis, food is the creator of prana or the life force. With this in mind, if you practice yoga it is advisable to eat throughout the day. This snack enables you to start your day with just the right amount of energy. A banana and a handful of berries should be enough to sustain your morning yoga workout session. However, make sure you eat at least thirty minutes prior to the workout. The carbohydrates give you the required energy and it is totally gluten free.
2. The Protein Shake
I know there are a whole lot of protein shakes, but this one is specifically for pre-yoga. One tablespoon of hemp seeds, 8 oz. of milk, a half cup of frozen berries and a handful of spinach makes this morning shake. It is guaranteed to give you energy for the workout and a flow through your yoga postures.
Hemp seeds are almost everywhere lately, especially in vegan diets alongside chia and flax seeds. Containing all 10 amino acids as well as easily digestible proteins, these seeds are a great addition to a vegan diet. Additionally, they not only have Omega-3 but also Omega-6 fatty acids not found in any other plant.
If you do not have time to whip up any of the above-mentioned snacks before your yoga class, just buy almond milk or juice. The sugar and calories will give you much-needed calories for the class.
Post Yoga Vegan Snacks
3. Muesli, Milk, and Yogurt
There is no greater source of artificial carbohydrates, protein and important minerals and vitamins as whole grain cereal. The reason most people go for food supplements such as whey is because they think they have more nutrients. Muesli is high in fiber and whole grains which help in regulating the digestive system.
Most cereals on supermarkets are usually high in sugar and calories. Just add almond milk or your favorite vegan yogurt alternative to your muesli and you will have a full vegan post workout snack. Altogether, this snack is easily digestible and a great source of both whey and casein protein.
4. Fruit Salads
My mother always said, eat your fruits and vegetables. And she was right, as one of my mentors once confirmed back in the day at a yoga teacher training in Dharamsala, India. Apparently, her secret to looking young and ever vibrant is fruits and vegetables, never mind the fact that she looks 25 yet she is well over 45. Despite being able to ward off more than a dozen deadly diseases, fruits also help against muscular degeneration.
Eat a fruit salad with a variety of seasonal fruits after yoga to give you carbohydrates, vitamins, enzymes and important minerals. After a workout, muscles need time to heal and regenerate. The enzymes help your body in breaking down the nutrients so that they can replenish your tired muscles. Yoga is all about healing and restoration, and after a good workout, the body too needs to heal and restore. Most of them may serve as antioxidants, but make sure you get the right fruits for the best outcome on your body. Pineapples have anti-inflammatory properties while kiwi aids in digestion and the breakdown of amino acids.
5. Lentil and Grilled Pepper Salad
I always like to try new and creative vegan recipes. Most of my recipes include lentils, because they are not only available throughout the year and high in nutritional value but they are also easy to prepare. Additionally, they absorb a variety of wonderful flavors from other foods and seasonings to add flavor to their nutritious value. Like other beans, they are also rich in both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber.
Coupled with pepper salad, a half cup of lentils is enough to provide your body with 25 grams of protein. The snack is light and flavored, the type you would require before stepping out of the house in the morning or before a meal in the evening after yoga. It is also important to note that lentils aid in preventing heart diseases and have iron which aids in replenishing your energy. Its soluble nature also helps in stabilization of blood sugar levels hence being a first choice legume for people with diabetes, hypoglycemia or those with insulin resistance.
What are your favorite yoga vegan snacks?
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Guest post by: Valerie Brusamarello
Valerie is a practicing yogi, who was recently received her yoga teacher training in India. She enjoys exploring new vegan recipes and hiking in Colorado with her dog, Rita.
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