1. SATTVA – it also means Sattvic, Sattva is a quality of mind which induces clarity, harmony and balance. This food is light, pure, rich in prana-life force! it purified the body and calms the mind and helps restore harmony and balance between the body and mind.
The following foods promote sattva- fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, fresh fruit juice, cereals like red rice, herbal tea, fresh cow milk, dry fruits, nuts, honey, jaggery, all spices and freshly cooked food.
2. RAJAS- it also means Rajasic, Rajas means a quality of mind which induces energy and action, the need to create. The following foods promote rajas- ready to eat canned foods, basmati rice, paneer, sour cream, ice- creams, yeast, sugar, pickle, vinegar, garlic and salted foods.
3. TAMAS- it also means Tamasic, Tamas means a quality of mind which evokes darkness, inertia, resistance and grounding. The need to stop. The following foods promote Tamas- alcohol, beef, chicken, fish, pork, eggs, frozen foods, mushrooms, tea, coffee, fried foods, fried nuts.
However, it must be noted that the Rajasic and Tamasic foods when consumed unwisely or not in proportion can create an imbalance in the body and increase toxins in the body, and can be harmful if not conditioned well in their consumption.
5 Elements that make up the universe as per Ayurveda!
These elements are believed to form 3 different Doshas which are defined as types of energy that circulates within the body which are called Vata Dosha- wind energy, Pita Dosha- fire energy, Kapha Dosha- water energy, which needs to be looked at and accordingly have our foods customized to meet the needs.
10 Benefits of Cooking the Ayurveda Style- Holistic Approach:
1. It offers a sense of well-being, better mood control.
2. It helps boost immunity and increase energy levels in our body.
3. It helps increase life span of an individual and improves bodily functions.
4. It helps relaxing- rejuvenating and revitalizing and feeling comfy with oneself.
5. It helps maintain a healthy weight, reduces diseases and makes our body strong without any side effects.
6. It recommends eating food easily available, on toxic and aids in healing all through.
7. It helps us to have a positive state of mind.
8. It gives guidance to adjust our lifestyle based on changing seasons.
9. It helps us overcome depression and anxiety issues.
10. it helps us sustain our self-better and being more calm.
THE TREND OF SATTVIC COOKING:
According to Bhagavad Gita, Sattvic Food gives life, purity, strength, health, joy, and cheerfulness!
We have come across this term Sattvic Cooking in recent times yet again with a lot of people changing their eating and cooking styles and including this method in their day to day life which truly in a positive sense means a lot. The word sattvic means- “Pure Essence” and it is a style of cooking which is a purely vegetarian one which includes lots of fresh fruits, loads of fresh vegetables, pulses, sprouts, whole grains, seeds, honey, nuts, milk and dairy which are free from animal rennet.
These foods raise our sattva or our consciousness levels as discussed earlier, a person consuming this kind of food is said to be more calm, peaceful and serene. He is amicable, full of enthusiasm, hope, aspirations, energetic, creative and overall is a balanced personality.
Sattvic foods are cooked with lot of love and eaten with a lot of gratitude being offered to the almighty. An added advantage of this cooking style is that it keeps our weight in check and it’s also regarded as an effective way to weight loss. But we must remember the golden rule that all sattvic foods will become tamasic when over processed, kept for a very long time or incase deep fried, hence a little care here should be taken.
A few fundamentals of cooking the Sattvic Style also termed as Yogic Cooking Style:
Sattvic Food is also regarded as the best source for Superfoods in India since it is always freshly made and along with the body it also nourishes the mind. Sattvic food is also referred to as Yogic Cooking Style and has many health inducing properties. Fresh fruits, dry fruits, grains and legumes like rice and dal, milk and milk products are all examples of sattvic foods.
Eating Sattvic Food promotes the three necessary ingredients for vitality ojas (responsible for overall health, energy, immunity and liveliness) tejas (intelligence) and prana (energy levels). Food cooked according to the principles of sattva guna is devoid of meat, fish, eggs, alcohol, onions and garlic. Vegetables, fruits, grains, milk and milk products play a major role in Sattvic Cuisine.
A guide for Beginners on what to include in Sattvic Cooking:
Vegetables: spinach, carrots, celery, potatoes, lettuce, peas, cauliflower are good to be included.
Fruits & Juices: apples, bananas, papaya, mangoes, cherries, melons, peaches, guava, fresh fruit juices.
Sprouted Grains: barley, amaranth, bulgur, barley, millet, quinoa, wild rice.
Nuts, Seeds & Coconut: walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, unsweetened coconut, flax seeds.
Fats & Oils - Non-Dairy Products: high quality milk, yogurt, and cheese, such as pasture-raised product, coconut milk, cashew milk, nut and seed-based cheese, almond milk.
Legumes & Bean Products: lentils, moong beans, chickpeas, bean sprouts, tofu.
Beverages: water, fruit juice, non-caffeinated herbal teas.
Sattvic Spices and Herbs: coriander, basil, nutmeg, cumin, fenugreek, turmeric, ginger.
Sweetening agents: honey and jaggery ideally.
Foods and ingredients to Avoid when cooking Sattvic Style:
Added sugar & sweets: white sugar, candy, soda, etc.
Fried foods: French fries, fried vegetables, fried pastries, etc.
Processed foods: chips, sugary breakfast cereals, fast food, frozen dinners, microwave meals, etc.
Refined grain products: white bread, bagels, cakes, cookies, etc.
Meat, fish, eggs, and poultry: chicken, beef, turkey, duck, lamb, fish, shellfish, whole eggs, egg white, animal-based products like collagen, etc.
Certain vegetables and fruits: onions, scallions, pickles, and garlic.
Certain beverages: alcohol, sugary drinks, and caffeinated beverages like coffee.
Note: Generally, foods that are overly sour, salty, or spicy should be avoided. Additionally, stale foods, such as foods left out overnight, are considered tamasic and should be avoided in sattvic cooking styles.
Some Popular Dishes which are a part of the Sattvic Style of Cooking:
Breakfast: Ragi Idlis, No onion – Garlic Vadas, Sabudana Khichdi, Sattvic Poha, Neer Dosa, Mix Sprouts Adai, Oats Dosa, Rava Idli, Medu-Vada.
Lunch/Dinner Dishes: Lemon rice, One Pot Corn Soup, Aloo Rasedaar, Karari Bhindi, Gujarati kadhi, Baby Potatoes with Green Peas, Aloo Gobi, Green Peas Masala, Kadhu ki Subzi, Gobi Paratha, Dal Palak, Aloo Methi, Coconut Rice, Jeera Aloo, Curd Rice, Baingan Masala, Mango Rice, Moong Dal Khichdi.
Sweets and Desserts: Tender Coconut Phirni, Mango Dry Fruit Payassam, Guava Halwa, Pumpkin Sheera, Aamras, Coconut – Banana Smoothie etc.
Here are a couple of basic recipes on Sattvic Cooking for us to get an idea and explore more on this style of cooking!
