The holistic approach of Ayurveda goes beyond any specific diet to include mindfulness, lifestyle as well as spiritual well-being.
In Ayurveda, substances are categorised into: sattvic (pure and harmonious), rajasic (energetic and passionate), and tamasic (heavy and dull). The proper balance between these three qualities is crucial for achieving a balanced and sustainable lifestyle. Let's understand these three categories in detail.
A Sattvic diet refers to light and nutritious foods, which soothes the mind and cleanses the body. The flavour should not be overly sweet, salty, or spicy. According to Ayurveda, Sattvic foods are high in ‘Prana’ or life force, which revitalize both body and the psyche.
Taste the Purity: Foods that can be consumed within 3-4 hours of cooking are regarded as Sattvic. This includes unprocessed and unadulterated, light-potency foods. Examples of Sattvic foods are rice, wheat, legumes; green veggies like spinach; fruits like pomegranates, apples, banana; fruit and vegetable juices; dairy products like buttermilk, fresh curd (yoghurt), butter, and ghee. Spices like ginger, cardamom, Dalchini (cinnamon), Dhaniya (coriander), and Haldi (turmeric) are included in Sattvic diet. For food preparation, Sattvic diet followers can add honey, jaggery and raw sugar.
Nourish to Flourish: From improving digestion to healthy heart, Sattvic diet is all about promoting overall well-being.
The substantial yet fresh foods which provide a wholesome feel are called Rajasic diet. It represents moderate to excessive eating.
Energize Your Plate: Foods included under Rajasic diet are meat and fish; spicy, salty, and sour foods; potato, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower; Jams, jellies, flavored and preserved foods; deinks like soda, cola, and coffee; fried and roasted food; chilies, garlic, onions, and pickles.
Impact on Body: Rajasic diet stimulate aggression, passion, imbalance of emotion and energy. It can also alter your consciousness and cause depression. Thus, Rajasic foods should only be consumed occasionally.
A tamasic characteristic is nothing but overeating or having more ‘fun foods’. Tamasic diet is basically hot, salty, sweet, and fatty meals.
Heavy & Hearty: These are foods prepared from refined flour or maida. It includes naan, pastries, pizzas, and burgers; canned and preserved foods like jams, pickles, and fermented foods; sweets prepared with sugar, ice creams, and puddings.
Impact on Body: Tamasic foods impacts badly by lowering resistance to disease and promoting negative emotions. So, you must consume them in limited quantities.
Mindful Eating: It's about developing awareness while eating a meal. You must chew slowly, and enjoy the taste of different foods.
Seasonal Resources: Always consume those fruits or vegetables which are locally sourced, fresh and seasonally produced.
Balanced Plate: Your food must be a combination of these three categories with a variety of colours, textures as well as flavors.
Hydration: Consuming a lot of water is the key for overall health. Not only water, you must also include herbal drinks like tea to enhance digestion and reduce stress.
By following the dos and don'ts mentioned in the Ayurveda, we can begin our journey towards better health.
