Sattva is the vitality of peace and lucidity. Sattva means one that is “pure, essence, nature, vital, energy, clean, conscious, strong, courage, honest and wise”. A sattvic diet aids to create pleasure and inner peace. A sattvic diet is made up of pure nourishments that are tasty, healthy and give strength of mind. Sattva is one of the three gunas whereas the other two qualities are considered to be rajas and tamas.
FOOD CATEGORIES
According to Ayurveda, there are three varieties of food: Sattvic,Rajasic and Tamasic.
Sattvic Foods
Sattvic food would help you with peace of mind, good health, long life and a good mood all the time. It is the food that enhances longevity, virtue, strength, health, happiness and joy.
Rajasic Foods
People in the mode of passion favour things that are bitter, sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry and scorching that bring pain,grief and disease (noted in Bhagavad Gita)
Tamasic Foods
People in the mode of ignorance favour things that are stale,tasteless,putrid,rotting,unclean(such as meat and alcohol)(mentioned in Bhagavad Gita(17:10)
SATTVIC FOODS AND ITS IMPORTANCE
Sattvic foods include the following diet
WHOLE GRAINS
Wholegrains such as barley, millet, wheat, oats, unpolished rice and quinoa
FRESH VEGETABLES
Fresh vegetables includes green leafy vegetables and seeded vegetables such as cucumber and squash
RIPE , FRESH FRUITS
Ripe, fresh fruits include pears ,apples, plums, peaches, apricots, mango, figs and avocados.
NUTS, SEEDS AND LEGUMES
They includes moong dhal, lentils, chana dhal, chickpeas, cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds.
DAIRY PRODUCTS
Dairy products include organic, fresh milk, ghee, fresh cheese, curd and yogurt from cows or goats.
SPICES
Spices include (that are not too strong) coriander, pepper, turmeric, cumin, parsley and rock salt in moderation.
NATURAL SWEETENERS
Natural sweetners include natural jaggery , honey and maple syrup.
IMPORTANCE OF SATTVIC FOODS
The gateway of total health is mental wellness. The food that you eat mirrors your inner state for a healthy mind. Sattvic foods improve life span, willpower, physical strength, improves immunity and happiness. Sattvic diet should be moderate and greasy which has a long-lasting positive effect on the body. Sattvic foods are good for the heart,stomach and other internal organs.
A sattvic diet is made from fresh and natural ingredients. It is freshly cooked, eaten in moderation taking your time. It is easy to digest and leaves you feel light and vitalised.
FOODS TO BE AVOIDED IN SATTVIC DIET
Foods that are avoided on sattvic diet are too much of salty and sour foods, tea, coffee, alcohol, onion, garlic, frozen food, fast food, microwaved foods, processed foods, eggs, fish, meat and leftovers.
ANCIENT TEXTS ON FOOD
- Taking sattvic foods and eating in moderation have been noted throughout ancient literature. The tamil poet Thiruvalluvar in his work Thirukkural hints
“Assured of digestion and truly hungry,eat with care agreeable food”(verse 944) and “Agreeable food in moderation ensures absence of pain”(verse 945)
- Hatha Yoga Pradipika recommends that “one must eat only when one feels hungry” and “neither overeat nor eat to completely fill the capacity of one’s stomach; rather leave a quarter portion empty and fill three quarters with quality food and fresh water”
- “The foods which increase purity,strength,health and joy are sattvic” –Bhagavad Gita
TAKE AWAY
Sattvic diets are ripe, raw or lightly cooked and freshly prepared. It seems to be challenging to follow the sattvic diet in this fast paced life but it is highly beneficial to overall health. Healthy life is the root cause of happiness.
“Health is a state of complete harmony of the body,mind and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open.”