In ancient Indian Traditions [Bharateeya Parampara] people are suggested to choose from three types of food in Ayurveda as per their needs in life.
Even today, you can change your life quality upside down just by changing your food.
This can solve not only your physical problems but your emotional ones too.
I am not kidding.
But for that, even before trying to understand three types of food in Ayurveda, you should first try and understand Three Types of Guna
Sattva Rajas Tamas – 3 Gunas as per Astrology
Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas, are known as the three Gunas and hold immense importance in Ancient Hindu Scriptures.
Sattva is associated with purity, harmony, and enlightenment, while Rajas is associated with action, passion, and restlessness, and Tamas is associated with dullness, lethargy, and inertia.
According to astrology, these Gunas are also associated with the zodiac signs and the planets.
Each zodiac sign is believed to possess a particular combination of these Gunas, which influences the traits and behaviors of individuals born under those signs.
So you see, from planets to humankind, no one is beyond the reach of these Three Types of Gunas
Three Types of Personalities as per Hindu Philosophy
Now we know, it is about the Three Gunas, namely Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas, and they even impact us.
The biggest impact of these Gunas is on our personalities.
Ancient Hindu scriptures on Ayurveda talk about three types of personalities [pravritti] and it mentions that the food can enhance or decrease certain types of pravritti.
These valuable insights into human behavior can help us navigate our life more effectively.
Sattva personalities are characterized by their calmness, purity, and spiritual inclination. These are people who want to learn new things, create a large impact on the lives of other people and are often compassionate, and selfless, and possess a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of all beings.
Sattva personalities are naturally drawn towards Sattvic food as it resonates with their heightened sense of awareness and desire for growth. These kinds of food give them the power to focus.
As per ancient Hindu Scriptures, the converse is also true. If you start consuming Sattvic food, it will enhance your Sattva personality traits
Likewise, Rajasic Food nourishes Rajas personality traits
Rajas personalities, are characterized by their ambition, passion, and competitiveness. They are more focused on achievements in life. They are driven individuals who thrive on action and may be prone to restlessness and impatience.
Even Rajas personalities can benefit from adopting a Sattvic diet during periods of stress or when they need to cultivate a sense of balance and inner peace.
Tamas personality, unfortunately, exhibits qualities of laziness, inertia, and dullness. They often lack motivation and may struggle with self-discipline. It is crucial for Tamas personalities to be mindful of their food choices and avoid Tamasic foods, as these can further exacerbate their inherent tendencies.
If you find traits of Tamas in you, it is time to change your food
Three types of Food in Ayurveda
Based on these three Gunas, their qualities, and their effects on the body and mind, the ancient Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda classifies for you three types of foods
i.e. Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic.
Sattva Food os Satvic Diet – The first one out of Three types of Food in Ayurveda
As per the classification of food in Ancient Hindu Scriptures,
the Sattvic diet is the first type out of the three types of food in Ayurveda that consists of foods that promote purity, clarity, and mindfulness. It includes fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and dairy products.
Sattvic food is believed to nourish the body and mind, and it is suitable for individuals who strive for spiritual growth and balance.
It has less salt, less oil, and no meat or animal flesh-based consumption.
It also does not include several other things like onion etc. which are considered Tamasik.
It helps in calming the mind, increasing focus and concentration, and fostering a sense of inner peace.
That is why, Satvic food also does not allow things like caffeine or garlic which can be good for high activity aka Rajas but not here
Rajasic food and Rajasic diet – – The second one out of Three types of Food in Ayurveda
On the other hand,
a Rajasic diet is characterized by foods that are stimulating, spicy, and energy-provoking. It includes pungent spices, caffeine, and foods that are high in fat and salt.
Rajasic food is suitable for individuals who lead an active lifestyle and require a lot of energy. It helps in boosting the metabolism, enhancing physical strength, and promoting vitality.
In ancient times this was the food for Kshatriyas [warriors] or kings or anyone who indulged in heavy activity.
So if you are a bodybuilder or athlete or anyone who is involved in physical labor, you will need Rajasic food.
However, excessive consumption of Rajasic food can lead to restlessness, irritability, and imbalances in the body and mind.
Tamasic food and Tamasic diet – Why should you not adopt a Tamasic diet?
Now let’s explore the third type.
When you are trying to understand food as per Ancient Hindu Scriptures, Tamasic food, is the third type among the three types of food in Ayurveda.
As the name suggests, it is associated with dullness, darkness, and inertia. It includes processed, stale, and heavy foods that are difficult to digest.
Tamasic food is believed to dull the mind and make the body lethargic. It is best to avoid a Tamasic diet as it can lead to imbalances, sluggishness, and a lack of motivation.
This type of food is said to be detrimental to both physical and mental well-being.
Think of alcohol, any sort of drugs, fish, meat, onion, any sort of intoxicants, tobacco are all examples of Tamasic food
One more practice that was present in India from ancient times and is practised even today is to consume fresh food.
Leftovers are Tamasic
So when you freeze food for a week or sometimes for a month,, you are by default serving a Tamasic Food
Think of it
Further things to understand about the three types of Food as per Ancient Hindu Scriptures
The Hindu scriptures, including the Bhagavad Gita and the ancient texts of Ayurveda, shed light on the significance of food and its impact on our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. These scriptures emphasize that the food we consume not only nourishes our body but also affects our mind and soul.
If we wish to embark on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth, it is essential to start with the right food choices.
And for that, we should not only know WHAT, but we should also know HOW
Our next blog talks about How to consume food as per the Hindu way of life
So you see, merely adopting a Sattvic diet may provide you the necessary foundation for a balanced and harmonious life.
But you also need to learn about How to consume these foods that are pure, fresh, and free from negative vibrations, and we can align ourselves with divine qualities and cultivate a deeper connection with our higher self.
Click here to learn about the rules for consuming food as per Hindu Scriptures
In conclusion, we want you to explore other content that we have written under Indic Knowledge Systems Series
We are creating several Guides and Blog posts that may help you learn about the Hindu Scriptures, Stories, and Symbology in a much better way
We recommend you go through the above-mentioned guides once you have gone through the concept of Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic food.
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