Mitahara

Mitahara (Sanskrit: मिताहार, Mitāhāra) is a yogic term, literally translated as "moderate eating habit", meaning a restriction in food (which includes lacto-vegetarianism), not overeating.

Mitahara is moderation in food or "the most accurate absorption of the type and amount of food required by the body for optimal functioning, in which food is easily absorbed."

Mitahara can be considered as one of the aspects of astea (the principle of “non-alienation of others”) or shauchi (“purity”) (for this reason it is sometimes classified as a pit, and sometimes as niyama).

If sexual activity is the first cause of the highest consumption of prana at the biological level, digestion is nearly the second. Properly digested food, however, is one of the main sources of prana.

Moderation is a virtue, which is expressed in self-control, in the ability of a person to be the master of his feelings, desires, drives, as a necessary condition for achieving a morally justified goal. Ancient philosophers considered moderation one of the main virtues along with wisdom, courage, and justice. They defined moderation as a person’s ability, with the help of the mind, to overcome those pleasures and attractions that impede the achievement of good.

In the yogic understanding, food is intended to maintain the body, and not to enjoy the taste.