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Peanut Butter and Yoga! What?

Authentic Yoga Class In Progress

There are two sure ways to sabotage your yoga practice. The first is to eat before you go. Bending, twisting and digesting definitely do not go hand in hand. Too much food in your belly can make you feel sluggish or, worse, nauseous; resulting in one miserable practice.

The second, while definitely the lesser of two evils, is to attend yoga on a totally empty stomach. With this scenario you’ll be focused on your upcoming meal rather than on your breath and without proper nourishment your chaturanga will suffer.

So what’s a dedicated yogi to do? Eat peanut butter!

This may sound counterintuitive, but trust me, this works like a charm.

I used to attend a 7:30 p.m. yoga class. By that time of the evening, my afternoon snack was long gone and I would be starving. I quickly learned that too much of anything, even liquid, was problematic. So, I’d ignore my grumbling stomach, suffer through my hunger pangs and fantasize about dinner during savasana.

Thankfully, an instructor turned me on to her little secret. She suggested I eat a spoonful of peanut butter before class. Rich in fat and calorie dense it was just enough to take away my hunger, give me energy and keep me focused.

Portion control is imperative. We’re talking a small spoonful, not a big ol’ glob. I use a regular teaspoon (like the kind you would eat cereal with) and fill it up about halfway. By the time I drive to the studio and get settled in (about 20 minutes) I’m good to go.

I don’t usually recommend eating peanut butter straight from the jar; it is high in fat, but a good portion of that fat is the monounsaturated kind (that’s the good stuff) and, as always, moderation is key. When you shop for peanut butter read the label and choose a brand that is made with nothing but peanuts.

Don’t let hunger mess up your flow; grab a spoonful of peanut butter today!

Do you have a hunger fighting solution? Share your snacking secrets. —Karen

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