Satvik Ahar / Satvik Ahara

Sattvic Food

The food that promotes physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing and goodness is called sattvic food. This type of food is easy to digest and produces lightness in the body. It promotes calmness, wisdom and intelligence and gives better mental clarity.

Sattvic word is derived from Satva, which means “Goodness”. Sattvic food promotes the following qualities:

1.    Balance.

2.    Clarity.

3.    Compassion.

4.    Goodness.

5.    Kindness.

6.    Mercy.

7.    Peacefulness.

8.    Positivity.

9.    Serenity.

10. Truth.

11. Virtuousness.

12. Wellbeing.

Sattvic diet is based on the above qualities of Satva, overall Goodness. The diet that promotes the above qualities in our mind and body is called Sattvic Diet.

SATTVIC FOOD CHARACTERISTICS

The foods that have the following characteristics are Sattvic Foods:

1.    Natural Intact form (wholesome).

2.    Uncooked Plant-based.

3.    Full of vitality and livingness.

In such foods, the cells and tissues are still alive, even after picking them up from the trees. They are not dead. Cells still function and respond to biochemical stimuli. Enzymatic actions are still taking place in them. They are still respiring. It happens with fruits and vegetables.

Alternatively, they should have the power of germination. It happens with seeds, nuts, legumes, and whole grains.

Sattvic Food List

The foods listed below are Sattvic Foods.

1.    Fruits.

2.    Vegetables.

3.    Legumes – immature or sprouts and peanuts (e.g. fresh edamame, fresh green peas, fresh green beans, sprouts, etc.).

4.    Nuts.

5.    Seeds.

6.    Water, especially unpolluted rainwater.

7.    Mother’s milk (if the mother eats sattvic food).

Are whole grains not sattvic?

Uncooked and sprouted whole grains are sattvic. When they are cooked, they become Rajasic food. When they are cooked with oil and fat, they become Tamasic food.

Are matured legumes not sattvic?

Matured legumes (except peanuts) are not advised to eat without cooking. Sprouts of matured legumes are sattvic. Cooked legumes are Rajasic. When they are cooked with oil and fat, they become Tamasic food.

EFFECT OF COOKING

The involvement of cooking converts Sattvic foods into Rajasic foods. If cooking is involved, foods are no longer remain Sattvic. Generally, whole grains and matured legumes are eaten after cooking, so they also become Rajasic foods. Generally, these foods are called Sattvic-Rajasic foods.

It also depends on how long you cook and how much heat is used while cooking. If excessive heat is used (e.g. frying in oil), these foods also convert into Tamasic foods. So, fried and overcooked foods are no longer remain Sattvic-Rajasic Foods. They become Rajasic-Tamasic foods.

Even if you are vegan or vegetarian and eat cooked foods more often, you are eating mostly Rajasic-Tamasic Diet. This diet lacks the qualities of Satva and causes diseases. So, it is still an unhealthy diet. That’s why you still suffer from several diseases.

MOTHER’S MILK AS SATTVIC FOOD

There are a few conditions that apply to a mother’s milk to be called sattvic. The first two conditions should be met.

1.    If a mother eats sattvic food, mother’s milk is sattvic food for the baby.

2.    If a mother feeds her baby with happiness, calmness, kindness, compassion and love, a mother’s milk remains Sattvic food.

3.    If a mother feeds her baby with anger, hurriedness, aggression, scolding and teasing, the mother’s milk becomes Rajasic.

4.    If a mother feeds her baby with sadness, anxiety, ignorance, stress and depression, the mother’s milk becomes Tamasic.

Mental State of Mother	Effects
Happiness, Calmness, Kindness, Compassion & Love	Sattvic
Anger, Ego, Hurriedness, Aggression	Rajasic
Stress, Anxiety, Agony, Sadness, Ignorance, Depression	Tamasic

Percentage

Eating habits also affect. If the mother eats 100% Sattvic foods, the mother’s milk remains Sattvic. Depending on the ratio of Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic foods in the mother’s diet, the same ratio represents in the milk.