Alternative Medicine Directory

SEARCH OUR YOGA DIRECTORY

AltMedWeb Videos

Reyes Video

The Sattvic Diet: Eat Simple, Eat Organic

Therese M. Pope | May 29, 2008

Pure, Whole Foods

The philosophy behind a sattvic (yogic or sentient) diet coincides with attaining a higher, pure self in the yoga practice. The sattvic diet includes eating quality foods that aren’t filled with pesticides, toxins and hormones. The sattvic diet emphasizes quality organic foods.

Sattvic food creates energy and a sense of contentment. This approach to eating goes beyond the physical daily allotment of carbohydrates, fats, and protein. Food is seen as the prana, the life force carrier, and is judged by prana’s quality and how it affects the conscious self.

Sattvic foods are eaten to help achieve the following yogic goals as defined in the Yoga Sutras: “to quiet the mind and to help govern our subtle nature”.

How Foods Affect Us

In the sattvic diet, it’s advised to be mindful of how certain foods affect us. There are three categories called the gunas. The first guna is the tasmasic effect: foods that make us feel tired. The second guna is the rajasic effect: foods that make us feel agitated. The third guna is the ideal sattvic effect: foods that make us feel calm, refreshed and relaxed.

Foods associated with the tasmasic guna are “stale, tasteless, smelly, leftover, rotten and foul.” Foods found under the rajasic guna are “pungent, sour, salty, hot, astringent and burnt.” Sattvic foods are “savory, smooth, firm and pleasant to the stomach.”

Organic Fruits and Vegetables

The sattvic plan encourages yogis to simply to eat organic, fresh fruits and vegetables. You can find organic produce at local farmer’s markets or look for the certified organic symbol when buying produce in stores. Organic foods are recommended for both their vitality and purity. Leftovers are strongly discouraged in the sattvic diet because they are not considered as fresh as the previous day.

Some recommended sattvic vegetables are beets, squash, leafy green lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, and sweet potatoes. Strong, pungent vegetables like onions and garlic should be avoided. If you do consume onions or garlic, it’s recommended to drink a fresh, pure vegetable juice to boost your vitality. Onions and garlic hinder prana.

Fruits are considered to be the most whole and pure in the sattvic diet. Some of these sattvic fruits include: apples, apricots, bananas, berries, dates, dates, grapes, melons, lemons, mangoes, oranges, peaches and plums.

Fruit is considered a symbol of spirituality and traditional yogis sometimes go on all fruit fasts to prepare for an advanced yoga practice.

Organic Dairy Products

The sattvic diet encourages the consumption of organic dairy products. Yoga tradition recognizes the cow as the symbol of motherhood (both mothers and cows produce milk). However, dairy products should not be treated with hormones and should be organically produced.

Milk, butter, fresh homemade cheese (Indian paneer), and yogurt (Indian lassi) are highly recommended. Before their yoga practice (at least a few hours in advance), yogis consume dairy in order to help ground, lubricate and nourish both body and mind.

Legumes, Nuts, Seeds and Oils

Some of the best sattvic choices are flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, sesame seeds, pine nuts, and olive oil, sesame oil and flax oil.

Legumes (beans) are also an important part of the sattvic diet. The following organic legumes are good choices: yellow split peas, tofu, bean sprouts and lentil beans.

Whole Grains

Whole grains such as organic rice (especially brown rice), spelt, whole wheat, oatmeal and barley should be eaten. Yeast-based breads aren’t recommended (unless toasted).

Meat/Protein

Traditional yogis adhere to a strict vegetarian diet. It is advised not to eat the “flesh” of an animal. According to yogic tradition the anger of the animal that was killed will be transferred to the person eating the meat. If you still want to consume protein/meat products, it is recommended that high quality free-range poultry, fish or eggs be consumed only three times a week (or less).

Sweeteners

Raw, pure honey replaces white sugar as a sweetener. Honey is also used in milk products in order to help decrease mucus (along with mild spices such as cardamom and cinnamon).

Make a Healthy Choice

Whether you choose to incorporate the traditional sattvic diet into your life or incorporate elements of the diet, you are achieving not only a healthier physical well-being but a higher purpose of self.

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sattvic_diet