There are three categories of food we eat in Ayurveda: Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic or also spelt as Satvik, Rajasik, and Tamasik food. Our physical and mental health is impacted by each. One might gain a fresh perspective on themselves by learning a few basic food facts. Let us understand the three categories of food in Ayurveda in this article.
Sattvic Diet
What is a Sattvic diet?
Simply put, a Sattvic diet consists of light, nutritious foods. Its flavour is reasonable and not overly sweet, salty, spicy, or any other extreme. In simple words, sattvic food is that which soothes the mind and cleanses the body. A sattvic diet consists of unprocessed, unadulterated, light-potency foods that are high in prana (life force). Both the body and the psyche are revitalised. Food that has been cooked and eaten three to four hours after preparation might be regarded as Sattvic.
Why adopt a Sattvic diet?
Consuming sattvic foods helps us feel better mentally and physically, which elevates our consciousness. It aids in reestablishing the equilibrium and harmony of our body and mind. Regularly following a Sattvic diet can aid in the growth and repair of top-notch bodily tissues.
Rajasic Diet
What is a Rajasic diet?
Rajasic foods are substantial but fresh. It consists of all entire pulses and dals (not sprouted), vegetables, including onion and garlic, and non-vegetarian foods like meat, fish, eggs, and chicken. The rajasic diet is very wholesome and prepared freshly.
What happens when you adopt a Rajasic diet?
A Rajasic diet might worsen the Pitta and Vata (or other Doshas) levels in your body. These foods give both body and mind energy. Excessive consumption of these foods has been linked to hyperactivity, restlessness, anger, irritability, and insomnia. They also increase the blood’s poisonous level. Rajasic food is, to put it simply, food that is too wonderful. A few examples of Rajasic foods are included in the table below.
Tamasic Diet
What is a Tamasic diet?
Foods made from refined flour (maida), pastries, pizzas, burgers, chocolates, soft drinks, Chinese food, naan, tea, coffee, tobacco, alcohol, canned and preserved foods like jams, pickles, and fermented foods, as well as fried foods like pakora, sweets made from sugar, ice creams, puddings, and the majority of “fun foods” are included in Tamasic food list. The tamasic diet includes all meals that are hot, salty, sweet, and fatty. A tamasic characteristic is overeating.
What happens when you eat Tamasic foods?
Tamasic foods cause mental drowsiness and induce confusion, lethargy, and disorientation. This includes foods that are old or reheated, very oily or heavy on the stomach and fake foods. Eating tamasic cuisine can also make Rajas more violently angry.
The three categories of food in Ayurveda along with a list of foods of each category:
Sattvic Foods
- Grains such as rice, wheat, and oats, legumes, moong dal (whole green gram)
- Fresh green vegetables such as spinach, green beans, steamed vegetables with moderate spices
- Fresh fruits such as pomegranates, apples, bananas, oranges, and grapes
- Fresh fruit and vegetable juices
- Fresh or lightly roasted seeds and nuts
- Fresh buttermilk, fresh curd (yoghurt), butter, and ghee (clarified butter). Fresh milk is Sattvic but once pasteurized, it turns a little Tamasic.
- Coconut oil, sesame oil, and olive oil
- Spices such as ginger, cardamom, Dalchini (cinnamon), Saunf (fennel), Dhaniya (coriander), and Haldi (turmeric)
- Honey, jaggery and raw sugar
Rajasic Foods
- Meat and fish, excessively spicy, salty, and sour foods
- Pungent vegetables, excessive intake of potato, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower
- Jams, jellies, flavored and preserved foods
- Wines, alcoholic drinks, soda, cola, and coffee
- Fried food, roasted and salted food, and mustard
- Sour milk and cream
- Chilies, garlic, onions, pickles, and vinegar
- Brown or black chocolate
Tamasic Foods
- Meat and fish, white flour, food with preservatives, food kept overnight
- Foods with excessive starch, canned and tinned food
- Hard liquor like whisky and rum
- French fries, chips, foods preserved with salt
- Too cold or pasteurized milk, curds, and cheese
- Excess intake of fats, oils, sugars, and pastries
- White sugar and white flour
1 Comment
Dattatray Nidavanche
Informative post…Thanks for sharing