Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Food conducive for Hatha Yogic Practices
Ghodhuma-sali-yava-shashtika-sobhanannam /
Kshirajyakhanda-navanitasi hamadhuni//
Sunthipatolakaphaladikapanchasakam /
Mudghadidivyam udakam cha yamindrapathyam//(Chapter -1, Verse -62).
The most supporting foods for the Hatha Yogic practices are: good grains, wheat, rice, barley, milk, ghee, brown sugar, sugar candy (crystallized sugar), honey, dry ginger, patola fruit (species of cucumber), five vegetables, mung, pulses, and pure water. (Chapter -1, Verse -62).
Pushtam sumadhuram snighdham Gavyam dhatupraposhanam /
Manobhilashitam yoghyam yogi bhojanamacharet//(Chapter -1, Verse-63).
The Hatha Yogi should take nourishing and sweet food mixed with, ghee and milk; it should nourish the dhatus (basic body constituents) and be pleasing and suitable for body-mind-soul. (Chapter -1,Verse-63).