Are Your Cooking and Eating Habits Lowering Your Prana?

Have you ever finished a meal feeling heavy, bloated, or even more tired than before you ate? You’re not alone. Many of us eat to refuel—but if the food we’re eating is lacking prana (life force energy), it could actually be draining us instead of nourishing us.

Through the lens of Ayurveda and Yoga, I’ve come to understand that how we prepare and consume our food is just as important as what we eat. In fact, our cooking and eating habits directly influence our vitality, clarity, and emotional state.

Let me share a little of my own journey and what I’ve learned.

What is Prana and Why Does it Matter?

In yoga and Ayurveda, prana is the subtle energy that animates all living beings. It flows through our breath, our food, and our connection to nature. When our prana is strong, we feel energised, focused, and in the flow. When it’s depleted, we feel sluggish, anxious, overwhelmed, or just off.

Years ago, before I truly understood this, I would rush through meal prep, reheat leftovers in the microwave, or eat standing at the kitchen bench while scrolling my phone. Even though I was eating “healthy,” I was often left feeling foggy and tired. Sound familiar?

The Hidden Ways We Drain Our Prana in the Kitchen

Here are a few common habits I’ve noticed in myself and many of my clients that unintentionally deplete prana:

1. Over-reliance on leftovers or microwaved meals

Leftovers are convenient, but food that’s been sitting in the fridge for days loses its pranic value. Microwaving adds to the depletion by altering the subtle qualities of the food.

Try this instead: When possible, cook fresh meals or reheat on the stove with a sprinkle of water and a little mindfulness. Even reheating with intention can make a difference.

2. Mindless cooking or eating

Cooking while distracted, stressed, or in a rush infuses our food with that same energy. Eating while multitasking means our digestive fire (agni) doesn’t get the attention it needs to do its job.

Try this: Light a candle or play soft music while you cook. Say a quiet blessing or simply pause in gratitude before you eat. It’s not about perfection, it’s about presence.

3. Cold, raw, or processed foods dominating the diet

Especially in the cooler months or for women over 45, who are naturally more prone to Vata imbalance, too much cold or dry food can weaken digestion and disturb the nervous system.

Try this: Cooked, warm, spiced meals ground the energy and support your hormones and digestion. Think stewed apples, soups, kitchari, herbal teas, and slow-roasted veggies.

4. Eating at irregular times or skipping meals

Our digestive rhythm thrives on regularity. Skipping meals or eating late at night can disturb your internal clock and lead to cravings, energy crashes, or disrupted sleep.

Try this: Anchor your meals around the sun, lighter breakfast by 8am, your main meal at midday, and a lighter dinner before 6:30pm if possible. This simple habit can work wonders.

My Own Shift Toward Prana-Filled Living

One of the biggest shifts I made came during a particularly exhausted season of life. I started treating cooking and eating as a ritual rather than a chore. I began my day with a warm lemon water, gave thanks before my meals, and slowed down enough to truly taste and digest.

I noticed something incredible: I had more energy after eating than before. My cravings softened. My digestion felt smoother. And my connection to food, and life, deepened.

Final Thoughts: Cook with Love, Eat with Presence

You don’t need to overhaul your whole kitchen or give up your favourite foods. Simply begin with one or two changes that feel doable. Ask yourself:

✨ Is this food full of life, or has it been sitting too long?
✨ Am I cooking with care, or just going through the motions?
✨ How do I feel after I eat—lighter, clearer, more alive?

Let your kitchen be a sacred space. Let your meals become a practice of nourishment, not just for the body, but for the soul.

Your prana will thank you.

If you’re curious to dive deeper into eating in sync with your body’s wisdom, I invite you to explore my Live in Sync eBook or join one of my seasonal programs. You’d be amazed at how just a few ancient practices can bring your energy back to life.

Let’s keep living and eating with intention, together.

Warmly,
Tracy