From weight loss to immunity boosting, all your need to know about the sattvic diet
01. Sattvic diet
As per Ayurveda, the food we eat not just nourishes us but also influences our thought process and personality. For the same reason, the ancient system of medicine emphasises on living a simple life and having a well-balanced, vegetarian diet that helps to keep our minds clear and at peace. That is where the Sattvic diet comes in.
02. The roots of Sattvic diet
As per Ayurvedic and Indian Yogic philosophy, having a Sattvic diet, which is a high-fibre, low-fat, vegetarian and balanced diet will help to keep your body healthy and mind at peace. The word Sattvic is derived from a Sanskrit word “Sattva”, which means anything pure and something that promotes feelings of calmness, happiness, and mental clarity.
03. The Three Gunas
As per Ayurvedic principles, there are three types of Gunas- Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. These Gunas are referred to as different qualities of energy in physical matter. It is believed that every living individual has these three Gunas, but their proportion varies. The food we eat has a major impact on these Gunas.
Rajasic foods are stimulating, and tamasic foods are believed to increase laziness. Of the three, sattvic foods are considered the most nutritious and packed with micronutrients, which is essential for healthy living. Sattvic diet is the best choice for promoting longevity, physical strength, and mental health.
04. What is a sattvic diet?
This diet completely forbids meat, refined and processed food and encourages a simple lifestyle. It includes seasonal fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, whole grain, pulses, sprouts, dried nuts, seeds, honey, fresh herbs, milk and dairy products which are free from animal rennet. This diet may offer many health benefits.
05. Weight loss
Being rich in fiber and plant-based food, Sattvic food can help shed kilos. Several studies suggest that having a vegetarian diet can help to lower the body mass index and decrease fat accumulation in the body as compared with non-vegetarian diet.
06. May reduce the risk of chronic disease
The sattvic diet encourages to have whole and nutrient-dense foods which are believed to cut down the risk of developing chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes. The diet promotes overall health of an individual.
07. Boosts immunity
Sattvic food is nutrient-dense and provides our body with different kinds of micronutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, protein and healthy fats. This helps to boost your immunity and keep health issues at bay.
08. Food to avoid
Here are some food items one must avoid when following a sattvic diet.
Added sugar: white sugar, high fructose corn syrup, candy, soda.
Fried foods: French fries, fried vegetables, fried pastries, etc.
Processed foods: chips, sugary breakfast cereals, fast food, frozen dinners, microwave meals, etc.
Refined grain products: white bread, bagels, cakes, cookies, etc.
Animal-based foods: Meat, fish, eggs, and chicken, etc.
Certain vegetables and fruits: onion, durian, scallions, pickles, and garlic
Certain beverages: alcohol, sugary drinks, and caffeinated beverages like coffee
09. Things to keep in mind
Here are a few things one must keep in mind while following a Sattvic diet.
Always eat freshly cooked and simple food.
Do not waste food. Cook enough food that can be consumed by the people.
Chew your food properly and eat at a moderate pace.
Food should be a combination of nutrients from a variety of sources.
