Food, how much do we need?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#21

[quote=Bentinho Massaro;8066]A few weeks ago I did not eat for a week. Nothing for 7 days, only water and a bit of vegetable juice. I felt just as strong by the end of the weak as I did in the beginning.

Not just based on this experience, but based on my beliefs concerning this universe, I have to say one can do without food at all. Even without drinking eventually.

[/quote]

I found that this is a siddhi (Haadi Vidya). It’s supposed to be achieved by focusing on the hollow of the neck (Vishudda Chakra).

#22

Yes [B]Hubert[/B], it is indeed a Siddhi described by Patanjali in one of the sutras. Thanks for the reminder.

[B]Lars:[/B] I am not so sure that fasting has its limits. I think the limits are defined by the individual. So it is very personal. But fasting does not have its limits per se. That is my belief.

[B]Pandara:[/B] Hahaha that story made me laugh. Especially this line:

So calming her down it transpired that she is very worried about me and that I am on my way to die now, because how can I live if I don’t eat meat she asked me.

But yeah, thanks for the perspective you added. I understand what you mean, I think.

#23

IT depends on the individual if there are limits of fasting or not.
But my expierence was once dtrying a 40 days fasting that it reaches my limits, since I?m a light weigth.
The experience was spiritualy excellent but my body reached its limits. Since I didnt want to end like the donkey in the story I had to accept these limits.
All the best
Lars

#24

There are several consequences of a 40 day’s fast, in case of an average person (no chakras fully activated, no yoga practice).
The brain needs around 100 g of glucose daily, for it’s various purpuses. It’s only fuel is this substance. If it does not come with food, the body will try to get it from what it can.
The glucose (glycogen) deposits in muscles and liver are the first used in case of fasting. Than an interesting thing happens … the usage of fat deposits is slow. Because of this, in case of fasting, rather than to reduce brain activity, the body will start to use up muscle mass, at around 100 grams/day (as syntesis from proteins is faster than that from fat, and 1 gram of protein is aproximatley the same calory count of 4 than glucose.) So in the beginning phase, musclemass is used, for a few days, than, when the body realizes that the fasting will continue, will try to prevent loss of muscle mass by reducing both brain and muscular activity. A certain lethargy sets in. So by fasting, the mind and body (the senses) are dulled and put to rest, this way a ceirtain autonomy of the soul/consciusness is gained. From this moment, the body’s resources are used up in a much slower rate, but their amount expire around the 40th day, and the body perishes.
It is important to note that the really first proteins to be used up are the digestive enzymes, so getting back to normal feeding must be gradual, to prevent death by autointoxycation.

#25

Thanks Hubert for the exact description.
That was exacly what I wanted to say, but I could?nt explain it as good as you did.
All the best
Lars

#26

I have an eating schedule that is 2 days of 2700 calories/day then I fast on every 3rd day. It’s great for self discipline and to give the digestive system a little rest. On the days that I eat, I use nutrition software to record everything to ensure I am getting all the nutrients my body needs. On the fasting days I can drink any liquids (i.e water, coffee, tea, etc), that I want.

#27

being a northern yogi, do you believe that calories dictate the nutritional value/energy of food?

#28

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#29

Tubeseeker,

Calories are just a unit of measurement to tell you basically how much energy a portion/serving will generate. To monitor this only would not give you the whole picture. To have a healthy diet you must also monitor nutrient content (i.e. vitamin, minerals…)

#30

[QUOTE=northernyogi;8294]Tubeseeker,

Calories are just a unit of measurement to tell you basically how much energy a portion/serving will generate. To monitor this only would not give you the whole picture. To have a healthy diet you must also monitor nutrient content (i.e. vitamin, minerals…)[/QUOTE]
so 2500 calories of beef would provide the body with the same amount of energy that 2500 calories that fruits and vegtables would?

#31

yes, it would provide the same amount of ‘energy’, but different nutrients.