Sattvic food is not about ending animal cruelty, not about eating healthier, not about convincing you that sattvic food is the most beneficial diet on planet earth. No! Sattvic food is not a revolution of some sort but purely evolution.

Someone who loves animal food we cannot convince to eat a sattvic diet. That person may try – and very likely fail. That person may also not fully understand why a sattvic diet is beneficial – and why we sattvic foodies enjoy this diet. It is simply an evolution in consciousness. We have to be ready to eat sattvic.

Tamasic Qualities

The ancient yogis and seers classified food according to the effect it has on body and mind. If we go back to the three gunas or qualities of nature as mentioned in an earlier post, we will understand that the quality of tamas induces heaviness of the body and dullness of the mind. This is where we categorize animal food, alcohol, tobacco, left over food, frozen food, garlic and onion, etc. Overeating is also considered tamasic.

Rajasic Qualities

The guna of rajas promotes activity and restlessness, disturbing the equilibrium of the mind. Here we find food such as most spicy foods, stimulants like coffee and tea, etc. Eating too fast is also considered rajasic.

Sattvic Qualities

The energy of sattvic food helps in healing and establishing harmony between body and mind, creating a more healthy physical body and also a healthy and blissful mind. This diet is often preferred by ardent spiritual seekers and perhaps by yoga practitioners. It consists of fresh fruit and veggies, grains, brown rice and lentils, fresh herbs and spices, etc. Eating w awareness is a characteristic of this category.

As we evolve in consciousness certain foods simply fall away. There then is no more desire for potato chips and hamburgers. So our life and sadhana/spiritual practice influence the quality of food we consume and vice versa. It is up to us to raise ourselves.

Yogini Ma Udaysree is a Happiness Coach. She helps her clients connect with their true nature and live a blissful life. She has lived six years in South India where she conducts Silent Arunachala Retreats once a year. Udaysree is the author of ‘Living at Arunachala’.