I am a plant-based yoga teacher which simply means I don’t eat any animal products. One thing I have noticed is I can’t eat huge meals before practicing or teaching yoga, so I have found some yummy snacks for pre/post yoga practices that I really enjoy. These snacks give me energy to teach but are light and do not cause stomach upset. These are snacks that ANYONE can enjoy no matter what your lifestyle is.
Pre yoga practice:
I like to eat at least 1 hour before class to allow the food to settle.
-Having a green smoothie or smoothie bowls packed with lots of plant protein like hemp, chai seeds, nut butters, and LOTS of green is enough keep you going but not over burden the digestive system.
-Salads and lettuce wraps with protein like organic tofu can be great before and after yoga practice.
-Veggie soups filled with nutrition are light enough to allow you to move easily throughout your practice.
-Celery with cashew cheese is SOOOOO good!! Add olives for healthy fats and you have a filling but light snack.
Post yoga practice:
I work late when I teach so I make sure eat as soon as I get home so I don’t go to bed with a full stomach, to avoid any discomfort and stomach upset. Depending on the size of my pre yoga meal I will chose something to fulfill my nutritional and caloric needs for the day.
-Green juice is packed with minerals and helps to re-hydrate the body after practice. Fresh fruit juices like watermelon can help to bring up your electrolytes after a hot class.
-Fruit is BEST consumed AFTER practice since it digests so quickly it can give you gas and bloating before practice, but after practice it is very hydrating to the body adding in some healthy vitamins and carbs to re-balance the body. Tip: you can add some nut butter or granola to give it more some protein. Note: Adding proteins to fruit can sometimes cause bloating so try it out and see how it works for you.
-Vegan Bliss balls. You can make these amazing little balls of goodness packed with nutrition, great for after class to get a boast of energy!
-Loaded oatmeal or protein pancakes. Have this with all the fixings like fruit, coconut milk, nuts and seeds, cacao nibs, coconut flakes whatever you desire to make it extra special.
These are just a few ideas that has helped me in my recovery. It has been a slow and steady process of finding a healthy balance and fueling my body so I can do all the things I truly love, like teaching yoga.