Food for Thought: What You Eat Affects Mind, Body and Emotions
Reprinted from HINDUISM TODAY, February, 1992
Food comes from nature. According to the ancient science of āyurveda, nature is a primordial force of life composed in three modes, qualities or principles of manifestation called guṇas, meaning “strand or quality.” The three guṇas are: sattva, “beingness;” rajas, “dynamism;” and tamas, “darkness.” Sattva is the tranquil energy, rajas is active energy and tamas is energy that is inert. The nature of sattva is quiescent, rarified, translucent, pervasive. The nature of rajas is movement, action, emotion. The nature of tamas is inertia, denseness, contraction, resistance and dissolution. These guṇas are not separate entities, but varied dimensions or frequencies of the single essential life force. Like all things in the universe, the food we eat has one or more of these qualities of energy and affects our mind, body and emotions accordingly. Hence, what we eat is important. Sattvic food is especially good for a contemplative life.§
Sattvic food makes the mind calm.§
Our peaceful friend on the left above is blessing his food before he begins to eat. This sanctifies the naturally pure elements of his meal of fruits, whole grains, cooked vegetables, salad and pure water. Fresh and close to their natural state, his sattvic foods are lightly cooked and seasoned. He could also have fresh dairy products, yogurt or cheese made with vegetable rennet. His mind and emotions will be as wholesome as his meal, not disturbed by agitating or dulling elements in his food. His body will be fully nourished by life-giving carbohydrates, protein and vitamins.
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Whole grains and legumes are sattvic, such as brown rice, whole wheat, millet, corn, soybeans, lentils, oats and beans. §
Freshly picked organically grown vegetables are sattvic, such as celery, cauliflower, zucchini, lettuce, green beans, broccoli and asparagus.§
Fresh fruits are sattvic, such as apples, peaches, oranges, bananas, dates, guavas, berries and papayas.§
Rajasic food makes the mind restless.§
Our active friend in the middle in the drawing is about to enjoy his meal of spicy fish, potatoes, parsley and wine. Though nutritious, this food will excite his mind, emotions and body, causing a continuously restless state. Just as he desires new food and spices to enjoy, he desires ever-changing emotional and intellectual gratification. He will be aggressive with others, not at peace with himself and subject to illness. Fish, foul, eggs, meat (except beef and pork, which are tamasic), coffee, tobacco and spicy foods are all rajasic. This diet militates against a calm approach to life.§
Fish and meat are rajasic, such as salmon, sole, trout, lamb, chicken, turkey, tuna and eggs.§
Spices are rajasic, such as salt, cayenne, black pepper and ginger. So are onions, radishes and garlic. §
Stimulants are rajasic, such as coffee, tea, sugar, cola drinks and chocolate. In moderation, beer and wine are rajasic.§
Tamasic food makes the mind dull.§
Our lethargic friend on the right in the picture is about to enjoy a standard American meal: cheeseburger and fries, with bourbon on ice to drink. He is unwittingly consuming largely lifeless matter. The patty of beef has been treated with chemicals, frozen, then cooked hours in advance. The cheese was curdled with rennet from calf stomach. The refined white bun provides precious little nutrition. The deep-fried french fries are difficult to digest. The drink will blur his senses. With this heavy load to digest, it is no wonder our friend’s mind is a little dull.§
Beef and veal are tamasic as are preserved meats such as hot dogs, sausages, sardines, bologna, bacon and ham. §
Deep-fried foods are tamasic, such as french fries. So are foods preserved with salt or by pickling in vinegar. §
Hard liquor is tamasic, such as gin, vodka, arrack, whisky, rum, scotch, martinis and other mixed drinks. §