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Sattvic Food to Help Bring Your Body and Mind in Balance
by Andrew Martin Health ConsultantAyurveda defines health as a completely holistic vitality throughout all facets of our lives. As a result, the Ayurvedic approach to treating any single aspect of our health begins with taking into account the whole of who we are—body, mind, and spirit. The mind depends on the body, and the body depends on food. In addition to yoga and meditation, food thus plays an important role in balancing the body from within. The sattvic food, which leads to a peaceful mind in control of a fit body, with a balanced flow of energy between them, is considered to be the best option for true health.
The word “sattvic” comes from the Sanskrit word “sattva”, which is one of the three gunas, or modes of existence. “Sattva” means purity of essence. It is associated with balance, harmony, goodness, health and virtuousness. A yogic way of life aims to increase the “sattva” guna to nurture consciousness via a healthy body and mind. A sattvic person is calm and peaceful, and full of hope and vitality.
A sattvic diet is one which promotes purity of both mind and body. Sattvic foods are believed to increase the life force or “prana”, strength and immunity. They are believed to keep us alert but calm, and bring about a precise balance and harmony in the mind and the body because they do not affect our overall energy state. A sattvic diet promotes physical strength, a sound mind, good health, and longevity.
The basic sattvic diet consists of light and easily digestible food. Sattvic diets are rich in fresh, nutrient-dense foods, including fruits, vegetables, sprouted whole grains, fresh fruit juices, legumes, nuts, seeds, honey, and herbal teas. Sattvic food is considered the most nutritious, and sattvic diets are associated with a high intake of micronutrients. Animal proteins, fried foods, stimulants like caffeine, and white sugar are some of the foods that are excluded when following a sattvic diet.
Benefits of the Sattvic Diet for Your Body
1. Provides essential nutrients: The sattvic diet consists of nutrient-dense whole foods like fresh vegetables and fruits that provide you with protein, healthy fats, fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, all of which are essential for your body.
2. Reduces the risk of chronic conditions: Vegetarian diets like this are associated with significantly lower levels of LDL or “bad cholesterol”, which is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The lack of processed foods, and the low-calorie, high fibre foods in this diet also contribute to the prevention of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension.
3. Helps maintain healthy body weight: Sattvic food is low in carbohydrates, but has high satiating value, which is the feeling of fullness after eating a meal. This prevents over eating, as well as reduces cravings for unhealthy snacks between meals. Eating a diet rich in whole plant foods also contributes to lower body mass indexes and less body fat, as seen in a study conducted by Center for Nutrition, Healthy Lifestyle, and Disease Prevention, USA, in 2019.
Foods to Eat in Sattvic Diet
● Fruits that have ripened naturally without being induced with chemicals and harmful pesticides
● Every green and leafy vegetable; however, there should be no use of onion and garlic
● Whole grain products like rice, oats and wheat
● Dairy products like milk, ghee, curd, paneer, cheese and cream, preferably made from the milk of cows, goats and buffaloes that are given organic fodder
● Sesame, coconut, olive and sunflower oil
● Unsalted nuts and seeds
● Herbal teas, honey, lemon juice without artificial sweeteners, and preferably with rock salt. Jaggery or honey can be used as healthier substitutes for refined sugar.
● Cinnamon, cardamom, mint, basil, fennel, turmeric, ginger and cumin to make food delicious and flavourful
● Legumes
● Sprouted seeds
Foods to Avoid in Sattvic Diet
● All types of non-vegetarian foods like animal protein, fish and eggs
● Processed food like white sugar, maida, breakfast cereals, chips, etc
● Excessively oily and fried food items
● Onion, scallions and garlic
● Artificial sweeteners
● Beverages like soda, aerated drinks, sugary or fizzy drinks, alcohol
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About Andrew Martin 
Health Consultant
38 connections, 2 recommendations, 311 honor points.Joined APSense since, September 10th, 2019, From New Delhi, India.
Created on Sep 8th 2021 10:36. Viewed 199 times.
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