Sattvic food is a term that refers to food that is pure, wholesome, and conducive to spiritual growth. According to Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine and wellness, sattvic food is one of the three types of food, along with rajasic (stimulating) and tamasic (dulling) food. Sattvic food is said to promote clarity, harmony, and peace of mind, while rajasic food can cause agitation, restlessness, and anger, and tamasic food can induce laziness, ignorance, and attachment.
Sattvic food is generally fresh, organic, and minimally processed. It includes fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, dairy products, and mild spices. Sattvic food is prepared with love and care, and consumed in moderate quantities. Sattvic food avoids meat, eggs, fish, onion, garlic, mushrooms, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, and any food that is stale, rotten, spoiled, or overcooked.
To adopt a sattvic diet in your life, you can start by making some simple changes in your eating habits. Here are some tips to help you:
- Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. They also have a high water content that helps hydrate your body and flush out toxins.
- Choose whole grains over refined grains. Whole grains are more nutritious and satisfying than refined grains. They also have a lower glycemic index that helps regulate your blood sugar levels and prevent cravings.
- Include dairy products in your diet. Dairy products are good sources of protein, calcium, and probiotics. They also have a calming effect on the mind and body. Choose organic and low-fat dairy products whenever possible.
- Use mild spices to flavor your food. Spices such as ginger, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, fennel, cumin, coriander, and mint can enhance the taste and aroma of your food. They also have medicinal properties that can boost your immunity and digestion.
- Avoid foods that are spicy, sour, bitter, or salty. These foods can stimulate your senses and disturb your mental balance. They can also aggravate your doshas (the three energies that govern your body type) and cause health problems.
- Eat at regular intervals and avoid snacking. Eating at regular intervals helps maintain your metabolism and energy levels. Avoid snacking between meals as it can interfere with your digestion and appetite.
- Eat mindfully and with gratitude. Eating mindfully means paying attention to what you eat, how you eat, and why you eat. It also means being aware of the effects of your food on your body and mind. Eating with gratitude means expressing appreciation for the food you have and the people who prepared it for you.
By following these tips, you can gradually adopt a sattvic diet in your life. A sattvic diet can help you improve your physical health, mental clarity, emotional stability, and spiritual awareness. It can also help you live in harmony with yourself, others, and nature.
This information is not just written for information or knowledge purposes. These are my personal experiments and personally used in my day-to-day diet. If you adopt a sattvic diet plan in your daily life at least for the beginning 3 times a week, you will start experiencing the changes happening in the physical, mental, and emotional states of your life.
