Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic Food

Nature of Sattvic Food

Sattvic-Foods
  • Sattvic foods are light and easy to digest
  • —They bring clarity and perception
  • —Sattvic food has the potential to unfolds love and compassion in the individual
  • —Sattvic food promotes the qualities of forgiveness and austerity
  • It gives a feeling of contentment

Examples of sattvic (high prana) foods

Fruit mango, pomegranate, coconut, figs, peaches, pears
Grains rice, tapioca, blue corn
Vegetables sweet potato, lettuce, parsley, sprouts, yellow sqaush
Beans mung, yellow lentils, kidney, lima
Dairy organic milk, fresh homemade yoghurt
Meat none

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Nature of Rajasic Food

Rajasic-Food
  • Rajasic foods are hot, spicy and salty
  • —They are irritants and stimulants
  • —All morish or tempting foods come under the category of rajasic
  • —Heavily spiced foods e.g. hot pickles and chutneys which can stimulate the senses
  • —Rajasic foods make the mind more agitated and susceptible to temptation
  • —The mind can become more rajasic, which means it tends towards anger, hate and manipulatio

Examples of rajasic (stimulating) foods

Fruit sour apples, apples, banana, guava
Grains millet, corn, buckwheat
Vegetables potato, nightshades, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, tamarind, pickles, winter squash
Beans red lentils, toor dal, adzuki
Dairy old sour milk, sour cream
Meat fish, shrimp, chicken

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Nature of Tamasic Food

Tamasic-Foods
  • Tamasic food is heavy, dull and depressing
  • —It induces sleep
  • —Under this category comes dark meat, lamb, pork, beef, as well as thick cheese
  • —Old and stale food is also tamasic
  • —Only when too much of it is eaten, it causes the dulling effect.
  • In moderation, tamasic food is considered as grounding and promotes stabilit

Examples of tamasic (heavy) foods

Fruit avocado, watermelon, plums, apricots
Grains wheat, brown rice,
Vegetables mushrooms, garlic, onion, pumpkin
Beans urad dal, black, pinto, pink
Dairy cheese
Meat beef, lamb, pork