Yogic Nutrition: Sattvic Diet

Sattvic diet is a diet based on foods that contain one of the three yogic qualities known as sattva. In this system of dietary classification, foods that decrease the energy of the body are considered tamasic, while those that increase the energy of the body are considered rajasic.

According to yogic sciences sattvic diet includes foods which are pure, clean, wholesome and which provides vitality, energy & strength.

In Yogic Science, food is seen as a carrier of the life force called ‘Prana’. A Sattvic diet gives ‘prana’ to the human body which aids in raising our consciousness and endows the person eating it with virtues such as honesty, truthfulness, intelligence and a clear and focussed mind to pursue their spiritual path. Because the foods in this diet are fresh, seasonal, raw or minimally processed they have live enzymes that help us to digest the food. Therefore less energy is required for digesting and absorbing them. A Sattvic diet also exemplifies one of the Yamas Ahimsa (non- violance) sattvic diet first and foremost is a vegetarian diet.

Foods preferable in Sattvic Diet

Fresh Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables

(preferably organic).Not all vegetables are sattvic foods. For examples, onions and garlic and peppers-red, green and orange have a strong flavour and are considered rajasic.

Legumes and Beans

This category includes food item such as legumes which include mung-beans,

all types of lentils-black, brown, pink, red, orange, chickpeas, sprouted-beans etc. Legumes and beans are the best sources of protein besides diary products on a sattvic diet.

Whole grains

Whole grains include whole-wheat, oats, barley and rice.

Nuts

Almonds,Walnuts, pine nuts, macadamia nuts, cashews. Ensure that these nuts are not salted or roasted but eaten only in their raw state.

Seeds

Flaxseeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and chia seeds. Use them in the raw state, avoid roasting or adding salts.

Spices

The number one spice in a Sattvic diet is Turmeric. Other spices are cumin, ginger, cardamom, fennel, fenugreek, basil and rock or Himalayan salt.

Herbs

Ashwagandha, saffron, rose, gotu kola etc.

Milk & Diary Products

Unless you have access to a dairy farm where cows are treated naturally, are allowed to roam around in green pastures and also play with their calves, their raw milk can be categorized as sattvic, else it’s tamasic.

Principles Of Sattvic Diet

Eating in Moderation.

Eating Mostly Raw Foods.

A Sattvic diet is mostly raw. Notice carefully that most sattvic foods exist in nature as it is and a person who follows it eat them without cooking them.

Raw milk and related products that are not pasteurized and are consumed as it is.

Nuts like almonds and walnuts are not roasted and eaten in their raw form.

Fruits are eaten raw, most vegetables are eaten raw,

So Around 50% of calories from the sattvic diet is in raw form. There are benefits and demerits of consuming raw foods foods. We will discuss that in detail in another post so this is the fundamentals and principles of sattvic diet.

Healthy Living

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