Sattvic Diet

What Is a Sattvic Diet?

Published on March 20, 2014

Have you ever noticed the effects of the food you have eaten on your yoga practice? Obviously some foods create more internal commotion than others, with bloating and other digestive disturbances. However, it can also be interesting to notice how some foods have more subtle effects on the mind and your mood. Ayurveda, the sister science of yoga, offers us an intricate understanding of how different foods affect our physical health, mental well-being and even our spiritual strength. According to Ayurveda, Sattva is the pure quality of spiritual goodness and equanimity, manifested as intelligence, awareness, virtue, and joy. Sattvic foods promote purity of both body and mind. In particular, a sattvic diet is intended to cultivate a calm, clear and compassionate mind.

Sattvic foods are soothing, nourishing and promote and maintain a quiet, steady mind as well as help to sharpen your intellect and give you a greater sense of empathy. Sattvic foods are vegetarian and do not include foods derived from animals that have been harmed in any way. It is important that foods are grown naturally and do not contain preservatives, artificial flavors, or additives.

A sattvic diet generally consists of:

  • fresh, organic fruit and vegetables
  • whole grains and nuts
  • dairy products such as milk and ghee
  • beans and lentils
  • plant-based oils
  • mildly sweet foods (natural, unrefined sugars), honey, molasses
  • spices such as cinnamon, basil, coriander, ginger and turmeric

In addition to fresh, organic, whole foods, a sattvic diet requires the energy and intention within your kitchen to be a calm and pleasant atmosphere for food preparation. Preparing your food with mindfulness, care and love will create energetic vibrations that are absorbed by the food you are preparing and will enter your body during digestion. The quality of your food is greatly enhanced by loving attention, including how the vegetables are cut, how the spices are ground and the way you add ingredients to the dish you are preparing.

It is important to remember that a sattvic diet is intended to improve the mind. If you consult an Ayurvedic practitioner, you might be advised to follow a diet specifically for your dosha or a doshic imbalance. Ayurveda distinguishes the sattvic diet from a rajasic diet, consisting of food that is spicy, salty and sour in taste and a tamasic diet, which includes food that is stale, overheated, oily, heavy and often canned or preserved in some way. Aspects from each of these diets may be recommended to help correct a doshic imbalance or physical illness. However, as a general rule, Ayurveda recommends a sattvic diet for people who are, by and large, healthy and balanced.

Have you ever followed a sattvic diet and did or does it ‘work’ for you? What changes did you made to your regular diet?

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9 responses to “What Is a Sattvic Diet?”

  1. Brian P Johnsen Avatar
    Brian P Johnsen

    A very nice article. Yes, I think it is important to notice how foods affect you during yoga practice and at other daily occurrences. When you eat foods notice how you feel hours later. Some foods foods allow you to feel fantastic for many hours. Others give you a sluggish feeling and are heavy such that you require rest after eating. The foods that give you the ability to continue your day wirh energy flowing to all you do are the foods you should continue to consume daily. Being your awareness not only to your feelings of body but also your mind and spirit. Ask yourself questions like is my mental focus improved or am I giving more acts of kindness today as a result of the food I have consumed? Answering these inner questions will help direct you towards the foods your body mind and spirit crave. Thank you for your article, I just wanted to point people to a general way to find out what us best for them basis on increasing their self inner awareness. Cheers.

  2. Ankit Chauhan Avatar
    Ankit Chauhan

    Yes i think it is a very nice article and it helps me thank you

  3. Kim Avatar
    Kim

    ….and no garlic or onions, correct?

  4. Mandy J Avatar
    Mandy J

    Yes. All of the qualities and preparation mindfulness as above describes the exact places and experiences I have been, including the quintessential nature of joy, my fundamental signature.

    We are all ayeurvedic practitioners of magic.

    Try even better. The clarity and mind awareness unfounded when the body is cleaned and you subsist on mainly fruit (non fatty and non botanical).

    Qualities and awarenesses have revealed unto me in profound ways.

  5. ankita Avatar
    ankita

    Yes We not only believe in power and importance of sattvic food,but are also into spreading the benefit to more people.
    I and one of my friend are into providing meals to corporate employees and we are happy to sahre the meal served by us is purely sattvic right from ingredients to the process of making it.
    Happy eating and healthy living with sattvic meals.
    Om shanti!

  6. Govindan Avatar
    Govindan

    Thank you for the informative article.
    Many great Indian yogis were not vegetarians. For example Swami Vivekananda, Sriramkrishna Paramhamsa etc. Many yogis of SreeRamkrishna Madom ate also Non vegetarians.
    Many authors have opined that Swami Vivekananda was the Indian monk who introduced Indian spirituality and chicken biriyani to the western countries. Most of the Buddhist monks are also non vegetarians.

  7. Jill Gamble Avatar
    Jill Gamble

    Hey, thanks for this really nice article. Please keep creating this awesome information on the yoga lifestyle and diet!

  8. Sandhya Avatar
    Sandhya

    agree,very informative.

  9. Charles George Avatar
    Charles George

    I have always struggled with eating healthy. I have learned that I need to eat more fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts & seeds and less meat, dairy, sugar, refined carbs, alcohol, processed foods etc. My body feels good when I do this. I feel like I am nourishing myself and being kinder to myself. Thank You for sharing this information.

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Shari Read Avatar
About the author
Shari is a fulltime Yoga Therapist and teacher. Since her initial yoga teacher training Shari has also completed Core, Restorative and Pranayama teacher trainings as well as studies in Ayurveda, Applied Anatomy & Physiology, meditation and mindfulness. Shari has had the privilege of studying with Master Teachers such as Leslie Kaminoff, Cyndi Lee, Sadie Nardini and Simon Borg-Olivier over the last 2 years. She has a PhD in Psychology and has completed graduate studies in Buddhist Psychotherapy. Shari is also mum to 2 gorgeous kids, wife to an amazing husband and loves cats, warm days, UFC, vampire novels and zombie movies.
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