Food classification according to Ayurveda

Ayurveda classifies food based on your personality Food influences every aspect of your being including your physical and emotional being which means your body and your mind. Ayurveda, the ancient healing system in India had identified the positive and negative attribute of diets, which today is being recognised by modern nutritional science. Its knowledge is rooted in wisdom and not in technology.
According to Ayurveda, food can be categorised according to its basic qualities: Sattvic, rajasic and tamasic.
Sattvic Food: is always freshly cooked and simple. It is food that can be digested easily. It can bring one's mind to a state of balance. It helps build immunity and improves the healing response in those who are ill. It consists of foods that are closest to their natural forms. Sattvic foods include milk and milk products, fresh fruits as well as dried fruits. All unrefined whole grain cereals, most lentils (dals) sprouts and natural sweetness like jaggery, honey and natural oils such as homemade ghee, butter and cold pressed oils are considered sattvic.Sattvic food is moderately cooked with few spices (no chillies and black pepper) and less fat. The common spices used in sattvic cooking are turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, corriander, saunf and cardamom.Eating raw foods is not considered sattvic as they harbour a lot of parasites and microbes. Further more, raw foods are known to weaken the digestion according to Ayurveda. They reduce ojas which is synonymous with our vital energy. The proper functioning of the mind depends on ojas. Spiritual development also depends upon ojas, so small amounts of raw foods can be eaten according to sattvic rules but large amounts of raw foods are not allowed according to the sattvic diet. Ghee is allowed on the sattvic plan because it is considered important for the development of the mind. Oily and fatty foods are taken sparingly. Ghee is known to enhance ojas which in turn helps mental and spiritual development. A sattvic diet bestows knowledge and awareness in a seeker.

The Sattvic Personality:A person who follows the sattvic way of eating is known to be clear-minded, balanced, moderate in habits and is focussed. He usually avoids using intoxicants as in alcohol, stimulants like tea, coffee, tobacco and non-vegetarian food. He is extremely balanced and spiritually aware.

Rajasic Food: is food, which is fresh but heavy to digest. Those who indulge in heavy physical activity should eat this type of food. It includes non-vegetarian food like meat, fish, eggs and chicken.The Rajasic diet is also cooked fresh as in sattvic and is nutritionally-rich. Rajasic cooking may contain a little more oil and spice as compared to sattavic food. Such a diet may benefit people who believe in action and aggression in a positive way.

The Rajasic Personality: The Rajasic diet makes a person long for sensual stimulation. He is usually aggressive in nature (in a positive way) and full of energy. He is interested in power, prestige, position and prosperity. But he is quite in control of his life. He is a "go-getter" and knows how to enjoy life.

Tamasic Food: This includes all foods that are not fresh, unnatural, overcooked, stale and processed. They include all foods made from refined flour, pastries, pizzas, burgers, chocolates, soft drinks, rumali roti, naan, stimulants like tea, coffee, tobacco, intoxicants like alcohol and wines. Most canned and preserved foods and fermented foods come in this category. Fried foods, sweets made from sugar, ice creams, puddings and most modern day fun foods are included in this list. All spicy, salty, sweet and fatty foods form part of the tamasic diet. Overeating is a tamasic trait.

The Tamasic Personality: "Tamas" brings about stagnation in a person and degeneration in his health. Such individuals suffer from intense mood swings, insecurity, desires, cravings and are unable to deal with others. They tend to be very self-centered. Their nervous systems and heart do not function optimally and such individuals age fast. They usually suffer from degenerative conditions like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and chronic fatigue. They enjoy packaged and processed foods. Such individuals would benefit from switching from a tamasic diet to a sattvic diet.Sattvic, rajasic and tamasic are more than just qualities in food. They are a way of life. How we choose to live and think responds perfectly with all that we receive in life both in terms of health and awareness. If you find what you are receiving from life is intolerable, you need to make better choices.