BEWARE! 7 Food Eating Habits That Are Destroying Your Health & Body | Unhealthy | Food | Sadhguru

Summary

The speaker emphasizes the importance of conscious living, arguing against the concept of good and bad habits. They advocate for conscious eating and digestion, suggesting that the human body functions best with an empty stomach and that overeating can lead to health issues. The transcript also touches on the yogic perspective on food, the significance of chewing food properly, and the benefits of intermittent fasting for overall health and well-being.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The importance of conscious functioning is emphasized, as it distinguishes humans from animals and allows us to perform actions intentionally rather than unconsciously.
• 🍽️ Eating consciously is highlighted as a way to maximize our potential, as opposed to eating unconsciously which can lead to lethargy and suboptimal brain and body function.
• ⏱️ The script suggests that for optimal health and energy levels, the stomach should be empty within 1.5 to 2.5 hours after eating, allowing for efficient digestion and assimilation.
• 🌱 Yoga principles stress the significance of an empty stomach for heightened perception, meditation, and overall well-being.
• 🚫 The digestive process is negatively impacted when liquid is consumed with food, as it dilutes necessary stomach acids and prolongs the time food spends in the stomach.
• 💩 An empty stomach is crucial for the efficient functioning of the excretory system, which can be hindered by continuous eating, leading to the buildup of impurities in the body.
• 🍇 The yogic perspective on hydration is to consume water-rich foods rather than drinking water, with an emphasis on the importance of the water content in food for health.
• 🍞 The quality of food, such as the freshness of bread, affects hydration and digestion, with processed or old food items being less desirable.
• 🕰️ Intermittent fasting is mentioned as a beneficial practice that has been rediscovered in modern times, supporting the traditional yogic knowledge of the benefits of an empty stomach.
• 🧘‍♂️ Certain postures and practices in yoga are designed to align with the body's energy systems, affecting how we receive and process food and life experiences.
• 🌿 The script advocates for a mindful approach to eating, including chewing food thoroughly and being aware of the body's response to different foods, to support overall health and vitality.

Q & A

What does the speaker believe is the fundamental difference between humans and animals regarding habits?

The speaker believes that the fundamental difference is that humans have the capacity to act consciously, unlike animals that act unconsciously. This conscious action is what makes humans beautiful and refined.

According to the speaker, why is it not ideal to function unconsciously, especially when it comes to eating?

Functioning unconsciously is not ideal because it prevents us from utilizing our human potential to act consciously. Eating consciously allows us to be more aware and appreciative of the food we consume, which is essential for optimal health and well-being.

What is the significance of keeping the stomach empty for the speaker's perspective on health and well-being?

Keeping the stomach empty is significant because it allows for better brain and body function, prevents lethargy, and enables the body to function at its full potential. It also supports the digestive and excretory systems to work more efficiently.

Why does the speaker suggest that eating small meals throughout the day may not be beneficial for reaching one's full potential?

The speaker suggests that eating small meals throughout the day may not be beneficial because the constant process of digestion uses up energy, preventing the body and brain from functioning optimally. It also hinders the body from reaching its full potential due to the continuous need for energy in the digestive process.

What does the speaker mean by the 'excretory system' shutting down when the digestive process is active?

The speaker refers to the cellular level purification process, which is the body's way of eliminating impurities. When digestion is active, this purification process is significantly reduced, leading to a buildup of waste and potential health issues over time.

What is the importance of the water content in food according to the speaker's yogic science perspective?

According to the speaker, it is essential to consume food that is rich in water content because it aids in hydration without diluting the digestive acids. Eating water-rich foods like fruits is preferable to drinking water alongside food, as it helps maintain efficient digestion.

Why does the speaker discourage the consumption of liquids with meals in the context of digestion?

The speaker discourages the consumption of liquids with meals because it dilutes the necessary digestive acids, making the digestive process less efficient and causing food to remain in the stomach for a longer period, leading to feelings of lethargy and dullness.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of posture and environment while eating?

The speaker believes that posture and environment are crucial while eating. Sitting with legs crossed and in a consecrated space can help in receiving energy from higher aspects of life and prevent the attraction of unwanted energies into the system.

According to the speaker, what is the significance of eating only 24 morsels of food and chewing each morsel 24 times?

The significance lies in the practice of mindful eating, which helps in better digestion and maintaining alertness and energy levels. Chewing each morsel 24 times ensures that the food is well-masticated, reducing the burden on the digestive system and preventing feelings of dullness.

How does the speaker relate the concept of intermittent fasting to traditional yogic practices?

The speaker relates intermittent fasting to traditional yogic practices by highlighting that both advocate for a gap between meals to allow the body to rest and purify itself. The speaker points out that this concept has been known and practiced in yoga for a long time, and modern science is now rediscovering its benefits.

What advice does the speaker give regarding the timing and quantity of meals for optimal health?

The speaker advises having meals that allow the stomach to be empty within one and a half to two and a half hours after eating. They also suggest eating only one meal a day, preferably in the evening, to ensure that the body has time to digest and cleanse itself properly.

Outlines

00:00

🍽️ Conscious Eating and Digestive Efficiency

The speaker emphasizes the importance of conscious eating and its impact on human potential. They argue that unconscious habits, such as eating without awareness, can hinder our ability to function at our best. The digestive process is highlighted as energy-consuming, and it's suggested that keeping the stomach empty for 1.5 to 2.5 hours post-eating allows for optimal body and brain function. The concept of assimilation in the intestines is introduced as a less energy-intensive process. The speaker also warns against the negative effects of continuous eating on the excretory system and the potential health problems it can cause, including a buildup of impurities in the body. The importance of a clean colon and the role of food's water content in digestion are also discussed, with a critique of modern eating habits that involve processed foods and insufficient water intake.

05:03

🧘‍♂️ Posture and the Power of Consciousness in Eating

This paragraph delves into the significance of posture and environment during meal times, according to yogic principles. The speaker explains how the way we sit while eating can influence our energy levels and overall well-being. They caution against standing while eating due to the body's holistic response to food, and advocate for sitting with legs crossed as a means to maintain proper energy flow. The paragraph also touches on the importance of chewing food thoroughly to prevent feelings of sluggishness and to enhance the digestive process. The speaker shares personal anecdotes about their own eating habits, including intermittent fasting and the benefits they've observed from it, such as increased energy and mental clarity.

10:06

🚫 The Impact of Overeating and the Benefits of Fasting

The speaker discusses the concept of overeating and its potential to fuel the growth of cancerous cells, likening them to criminals in society. They suggest that providing a break between meals can help.

Keywords

💡Consciousness

Consciousness refers to the state of being aware of and able to think and perceive one's surroundings, thoughts, and emotions. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of conscious actions, particularly in the context of eating habits. The speaker argues that humans are distinct from animals because they can perform actions consciously, which is a fundamental aspect of being human. For example, the speaker mentions that we can eat consciously, as opposed to the unconscious eating behaviors of animals.

💡Unconscious Functioning

Unconscious functioning is the act of carrying out activities without being aware of them or without conscious thought. The speaker in the video argues that unconscious habits, such as eating without thought, are detrimental because they prevent us from reaching our full potential. The video suggests that being human is about the ability to perform actions consciously, and unconscious functioning contradicts this essence of humanity.

💡Digestive System

The digestive system is the set of organs responsible for breaking down food into nutrients, which the body can use for energy, growth, and cell repair. The video discusses the importance of allowing the digestive system to rest by not constantly eating throughout the day. The speaker suggests that when the digestive system is constantly processing food, it consumes energy that could otherwise be used for optimal brain and body function.

💡Metabolism

Metabolism refers to the chemical processes that occur within a living organism to maintain life, including the breakdown of substances to produce energy. The video script mentions the importance of managing one's metabolism through dietary habits, such as ensuring that the stomach is empty within a certain timeframe to allow for optimal metabolic function and energy levels.

💡Yoga

Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India, which aims to transform the body and mind. The speaker in the video frequently refers to yoga, emphasizing its teachings about the importance of an empty stomach for optimal health and energy levels. The script also mentions that yoga places great importance on the cleanliness of the colon and the timing of meals.

💡Excretory System

The excretory system is the body's mechanism for eliminating waste products. The video explains that when the digestive process is active, the excretory system's function is significantly reduced, leading to the accumulation of impurities in the body. This concept is tied to the idea that eating at regular intervals and ensuring an empty stomach can promote better excretory function and overall health.

💡Fasting

Fasting is the practice of abstaining from food for a certain period. The video script discusses the concept of intermittent fasting, which has been shown to have health benefits, such as reducing the risk of chronic ailments. The speaker mentions that by allowing a gap between meals, the body can more efficiently eliminate waste and maintain health.

💡Water Content

Water content refers to the amount of water present in a substance. The video emphasizes the importance of consuming foods with high water content, such as fruits, and contrasts this with the low water content of processed foods like bread. The speaker suggests that drinking water separately from food can dilute digestive acids and impair the digestive process.

💡Perception

Perception is the process by which the body receives and interprets sensory information from the environment. The video script suggests that the state of one's digestive system can affect perception, with an empty stomach allowing for greater alertness and keenness of perception. The speaker argues against overeating, as it can lead to a loss of this perceptive acuity.

💡Cellular Purification

Cellular purification refers to the process by which the cells of the body are cleansed of toxins and waste. The video explains that an empty stomach is necessary for this process to occur efficiently. If the stomach is not empty, cellular purification is hindered, leading to the buildup of substances that can cause health problems over time.

💡Consecrated Space

A consecrated space is a place that has been set apart for spiritual or religious purposes, often believed to possess transformative energy. The video script mentions the importance of receiving energy from the highest possible sources, such as consecrated spaces, to support personal transformation and well-being.

Highlights

Habits, whether good or bad, are a sign of unconscious functioning, which is contrary to the conscious capabilities that define humanity.

Conscious eating and other actions can be as efficient as their unconscious counterparts, emphasizing the importance of conscious living.

Digestive processes consume energy, and continuous eating can lead to suboptimal brain and body function, suggesting the importance of mindful eating.

Yoga emphasizes the need for an empty stomach for optimal body and brain function, distinguishing between hunger and an empty stomach.

The digestive system and metabolism should be managed to ensure the stomach is empty within 1.5 to 2.5 hours post-eating for peak performance.

When food is in the stomach, the excretory system's efficiency is reduced, highlighting the need for proper digestion timing for overall health.

The importance of a clean colon for preventing health issues, and how eating habits can affect colon cleanliness.

Yogic science promotes eating water-rich foods like fruits instead of drinking water, emphasizing hydration through diet.

The negative impact of consuming old bread and compensating with sugary drinks on digestion and health.

Drinking liquids with food can dilute digestive acids, leading to inefficient digestion and longer stomach retention of food.

The connection between overeating and a decrease in perception and alertness, affecting overall quality of life.

The headquarters of most chronic ailments lies in the stomach, emphasizing the importance of mindful eating habits.

The significance of consecrated spaces and the intention to receive energy from higher life aspects for transformation.

The importance of sitting postures during meals in yogic culture for maintaining energy and preventing distortion of life.

Intermittent fasting is recognized in modern science as beneficial, aligning with ancient yogic practices.

Cancer prevention through meal timing, allowing for the natural death of cancerous cells when not constantly fueled.

The yogic practice of eating only 24 morsels of food and chewing each 24 times for better digestion and energy levels.

The importance of an empty stomach for cellular purification and overall health, even for those who are physically active.

The yogic perspective on food as building material for the body, and the need for experimentation to find what is suitable.

The recommendation to observe the body's response to food to determine its appropriateness, beyond just taste preferences.

Transcripts

I want to tell you there is no such

thing as good habit and bad habit habit

means you are functioning unconsciously

if you are functioning unconsciously

that's a bad thing because the whole

thing about being human is we are

capable of doing things consciously that

is the beauty of Being Human that we can

do everything consciously what an animal

does unconsciously we can do the same

thing consciously we can eat

unconsciously or we can eat consciously

thank you

if

food is constantly being processed in

your digestive system

a certain amount of energy naturally is

gone there so your both your brain and

body will not function at their best

you may not feel lethargy because you

are eating small meals but you cannot

stop the digestive process

now you think by eating small meals

through the day you can be active

throughout the day you can be but not at

your full potential

if you want to be at your full potential

you must keep your body and your

metabolism of the body in such a way

whatever whatever you eat whatever you

eat within one and a half to two and a

half hours your stomach must be empty

this is what yoga always insists stomach

being empty does not mean hunger

only when the energy levels run down you

feel hunger otherwise stomach must be

empty

only when the stomach is empty stomach

means stomach bag the food would have

moved to other areas of the intestine in

the intestine the process is very

different that's not digestion that's

assimilation

there it doesn't take much energy it's a

digestive process when the food is in

the stomach bag

at that time it's best you keep your

activity at low now throughout the day

if there's food in the stomach

then you bring down your whole potential

of life

[Music]

one more aspect when there is food in

the stomach when the digestive process

is happening the excretory system shuts

down almost

[Music]

eighty percent of it shuts down when I

say excretory system it's on the

cellular level the purification of the

body is happening that will shut down at

least 80 percent

or in other words

all the impurities which had to move out

of the system will not move out which

will create various problems for you

over a period of time

and if you eat at different times even

your excretory system from the

intestines will not happen efficiently

for you

because the waste matter doesn't come at

a certain time into the colon

it will come at different times so you

will have problem with that also so

throughout the day your colon also won't

be clean coal and not being clean means

you're asking for problems

the colon should be clean always

and yoga there's enormous importance to

this

[Music]

fruit is a substance which is over 90

percent water

and you must eat water not drink water

this is the yogic science

as far as possible you eat water you

always be conscious about the food that

you're eating what is the water content

like a South Indian meal if you eat

a cooked meal I'm talking about if you

eat very easily 60 70 water

in fact more

in some of the foods it's much more

but now the food that you're eating here

you're eating bread which was baked a

month ago probably is it minimum even

you know

so-called organic shops it's at least a

month or at least a week nobody is going

and getting fresh bread uncommon anyway

the way the bread is baked it doesn't

have water in it very very little water

so of course you're compensating that

with a bucket of Coca-Cola or something

like that

all right

but that doesn't work like that

you if you drink any liquid along with

your food

the acids that are necessary for

digestive process will get diluted your

whole digestive process gets inefficient

because food when it goes in if it

contains water it's assists but if you

put any liquid on top of it you will see

the food will remain in the stomach bag

for too long we are very concerned about

this always in the yogic culture and

life that we don't want food to remain

in our stomach bag for more than two and

a half hours maximum

in two and a half hours time it doesn't

matter what I've eaten how much I've

eaten it must go into other parts

if it remains there it makes you Dow

it makes you lose your sense of

perception your pers the level of

perception the keenness of perception is

lost which you notice if you eat food

without Coke or coffee or tea or

anything you feel down it kind of pulls

you down whole lot of people have

developed a culture around it after

lunch they have to sleep

it's like you went to the gas station

you fueled up then you can't start the

engine

because there is a gas in the tank

so that that's what it means so

to ensure that digestive system is in

full

process because for most of the chronic

ailments that people are suffering today

in the world the headquarters is in the

stomach

yes

but a lot of people is Shifting to their

head but largely headquarters is in the

stomach the way what they eat and the

way they eat

[Music]

essentially because

you can receive anything that comes

towards you in many different ways

the yogic intention always is to receive

it from the higher aspects of your life

when there is a consecrated space what

it means is there is a powerful energy

which has the possibility of

transforming you

that energy must come to you always from

the highest possibility that you can

receive

so certain cultures have very

consciously evolved these postures that

if you want to this do this this is how

you must sit it's very very important

even food I am telling you if you sit in

front of food

one advantage you have is there is a

table between you and the lower parts of

your body

[Music]

but if you sit with food but with legs

open like many people are standing and

eating

if you stand and eat there are many

negativities to this because you must

understand the longing for food is not

just in your mouth

entire body is longing for it

entire body well people will say oh

there is nothing sending above to use my

navel longing for food he is my genitals

longing for food yes it is

you may not understand every part of the

body is longing for food but it must go

through this route isn't it

hello

similarly there are other kinds of

longings in our body they must go

through the right route then only

if life works out in a certain way

otherwise you will distort life

so keeping your legs crossed whenever

you see a powerful form is a very

important thing and also food

is a very powerful thing

hello so it's important that your legs

are crossed when food comes in front of

you but you have found another way

shielding yourself with a table

all right if that is working for you but

if you're having food you're very hungry

and food is exposed to the entire body

this is not good for you this goes for

food

you never open your legs and sit like

this in front of them because that will

bring a wrong kind of energy into your

system

it's very important you receive it the

right right way it's always best to

cross your legs and sit down if you're

sitting there not sitting like this you

will attract something that you don't

need

[Music]

if you come to our ashram

all the people there who are physically

immensely active

8 10 o'clock in the morning seven

o'clock in the evening two meals

how many doctors have been telling me

that they will die of malnourishment

this will happen that will happen you

must do this you must do that

I eat only one meal a day most of the

days

one big meal I eat and that's it

and doctors telling me no no sadhguru

the way you're traveling this will

happen that will happen you must eat at

least once in four hours something you

must eat I said leave me alone I'm doing

fine

but now

a big university in America comes up

with this called intermittent fasting

it's not nonsense it's good but they

rediscovered something that we have

known forever

now everybody is saying there must be a

16 hour gap

then all your ailments will go away what

the hell were we saying all these

thousands of years the simple thing is

there are many many aspects to this

psychological physiological but now

cancer is on the rise in the world

a cancerous cell is like a criminal in

the society all of us have in our bodies

only if they become their concentration

becomes more than what they should be or

they gang up and locate themselves in

one place they become like organized

crime

so if you just give sufficient break

between one meal and the other most of

them will die because they cannot

survive

this is something we've been talking

forever

but now they've discovered it with a

billion dollar research

and I have seen hundreds and thousands

of people

who just become healthy and well simply

because

they are not fueling up all the time

when the tank is spilling

don't over

eat it's very very important

Everybody Eats two wheels I generally

eat only one meal 4 35 in the evening

because I don't like to sit in front of

the plate and worry about how much to

eat I like to eat well

is this enough it's am I looking okay

hello

[Music]

you know generally for people who are in

the yogic path you know what they say

you should eat only 24 morsels I am not

saying this to everybody

if you're noticing that you're tending

to fall asleep through the day you eat

only 24 morsels of food that is 24

mouthfuls

why 24 I will not go into the number

business now but there is a science

behind it you only eat 24 muscles

mouthful does not mean

so essentially your alertness

depends on how keenly you manage your

entities

and this is crucial if you want to

meditate

not doing 15 minutes if you want to

become meditative in your life process

this alertness alertness not of the Mind

alone alertness of your energy that your

energy is alert

if it's in an alert state

is why you are doing the sadhana

so to assist it you eat only 24

Morrisons

in the Indian way of looking at time

there is something called as a nimisha

which has something to do with 24.

that's why you eat 24. you eat 24

and still you must take the same time

that somebody who is eating a full meal

whoever just see whoever is maximum

industrian

just see their plate till they get up

you must be sitting right there

not simplicity

you must chew

to every mouthful you choose 24 times

one two three four chew it 24 times

now you will see you will take more time

than anybody else but your food is

pre-digested in your mouth before it

goes in it will not cause dullness

if you chew your food service

sufficiently you will see it will not

food will not cause dullness if it's

masticated in the mouth region

chew it well

if you chew it well the digestive

process one and a half two hours you'll

be hungry and that's a way to stay

hunger does not mean you have to your

stomach is empty does not mean you have

to put food you just have to put water

and you will stay alert you will be very

energetic you will not lose any weight

because your system will learn to use

the food that you've eaten well rather

than simply wasting it

it's uh both economically and

ecologically very good for the world

and very good for your health probably

you'll never fall sick if you eat like

that

so 24 Marshals of food you must chew 24

times each morsel full lead must become

like paste before you eat it

thank you

in The Yoga Center all the time people

are Physically Active

so everybody is very hungry by the time

it's 3 30 4 o'clock in the evening they

are extremely hungry but we learn to

live with that because empty stomach and

hunger are two different things hunger

means your energy levels start dropping

but empty stomach is a good thing

your body and your brain works at its

best only when your stomach is empty

so we always make sure we eat in such a

way how much ever we eat our stomach

must be always empty within two to two

and a half hours time maximum so we go

to bed hungry always

people think they cannot sleep they

can't sleep on an average for 25 years

on an average I slept only two and a

half to three hours these days I'm

getting little lazy and speaking

sleeping anywhere between three and a

half to four and a half hours in spite

of the level of travel that I have

because any correction and purification

that needs to happen in the body your

stomach needs to be empty it's very very

important

otherwise the purification on the

cellular level will not happen you pile

up things and then you have all kinds of

problems

[Music]

I want to tell you there is no such

thing as good habit and bad habit

you are functioning unconsciously

if you're functioning unconsciously

that's a bad thing because the whole

thing about being human is we are

capable of doing things consciously that

is the beauty of Being Human that we can

do everything consciously what an animal

does unconsciously we can do the same

thing consciously we can eat

unconsciously or we can eat consciously

we can breathe unconsciously or we can

breathe consciously everything that we

can do we can do it consciously the

moment we do something consciously

suddenly that human being looks very

refined and wonderful just because

somebody walks and speaks consciously

doesn't he become a beautiful human

being yes or no that's all

so why is it that we are trying to

develop habits as if there's a good

thing habit means

fixed realities where you don't have to

think you get up in the morning and it

will happen to you no don't try to

automize your life

that is not efficiency that is the

efficiency of the machine this one is

supposed to function intelligently and

consciously nobody is expecting it to

function like a machine

so about food and stuff

food must be suitable for the body that

we eat

for

it is for the body this is a building

material for this body the food that

you're eating what is the appropriate

food

unfortunately is all messed up but you

must experiment with food not just by

the tongue but by the body you eat

something today

and see just learn to observe how agile

and how active your body feels after

eating this food if it feels like it

wants to go to the Grave that's not good

food

if it feels like it wants to be alive

after eating this except coffee

because that's just stimulant

if you eat food and your body feels very

agile and alive that means it's good

food body is liking it

if you eat something it feels dull that

means it's not liking it it's having

difficulty with it that's why it feels

dull

okay