Food and diet occupy an important place in the world of yoga and naturopathy. The effects of improper eating manifest themselves in unwanted appearance, incorrect thought, behavior and hence action.
In yoga, foods have been classified as Rajasik, Tamasik and Sattvik.
Rajasik Foods: Food of a king or of a restless and energetic disposition.
A large variety of foods having different methods of preparation such as fried, highly seasoned, or baked, form this category. Alcoholic and processed beverages as well as sweets come in here.
Disadvantages: These foods impart extra weight and fat to the body and create a feeling of uneasiness after eating.
A large variety of foods having different methods of preparation such as fried, highly seasoned, or baked, form this category. Alcoholic and processed beverages as well as sweets come in here.
Disadvantages: These foods impart extra weight and fat to the body and create a feeling of uneasiness after eating.
Tamasik Food: Food causing a lethargic disposition.
Foods, vegetarian or non-vegetarian, that are prepared with excess spices, salts and hot seasonings are Tamasik foods.
Disadvantages: These foods perpetuate laziness and people eating these are characterized by a rough and intolerant temperament.
Sattvik Food: Food of a Yogi...Foods which are cooked with minimum amount of spices or seasonings and are fresh are sattvik foods. These foods retain their nutritive value as they are cooked in a very simple fashion one of the most powerful & delicious foods which have tremendous benefit on the overall system is sprout. Yoga recommends such foods.
Myth or Reality?
Non vegetarian food is Tamasik, while vegetarian food is Sattvik.
A definite MYTH!
No food by itself is rajasik, tamasik or sattvik. It is the preparation which makes it so. Vegetables such as cabbage, potatoes etc., if cooked with a lot of spices become tamasik while fresh boiled chicken cooked in a simple fashion becomes sattvik.
