Regulation of diet, restricting it to satvic food, taken in moderate quantities, is the best of all rules of conduct and the most conducive to the development of satvic 'pure' qualities of mind. These in turn help one in the practice of Self-enquiry.

Fasting should be chiefly mental .. abstinence from thoughts .. Mere abstinence from food will do no good, it will even upset the mind. Spiritual unfoldment will come rather by regulating eating.Sleep and food should not be taken in excess.

Food affects the mind. For the practice of any kind of yoga, vegetarianism is absolutely necessary .. since it makes the mind more satvic .. pure and harmonious.

The quality of food influences the mind. The mind feeds on the food consumed. It is the mind that matters. The fact is that the mind has been trained to think certain food tasty and good. Ahimsa .. non-violence .. stands foremost in the code of discipline for the yogis. Eat Satvic food in limited quantities.

Source: " Bhakti Marga and Yoga Marga " by" Ramana Maharshi "