The three kinds of food
- Sattvic — fresh, juicy, nourishing, pleasant food: fruits, vegetables, grains, milk, ghee, nuts — said to bring clarity, health and calm
- Rajasic — very bitter, sour, salty, hot, pungent or dry food that causes restlessness and discomfort
- Tamasic — stale, tasteless, spoiled or leftover food that brings dullness
Bhagavad Gita 17.8
आयुःसत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धनाः ।
रस्याः स्निग्धाः स्थिरा हृद्या आहाराः सात्त्विकप्रियाः ॥
āyuḥsattvabalārogyasukhaprītivivardhanāḥ |
rasyāḥ snigdhāḥ sthirā hṛdyā āhārāḥ sāttvikapriyāḥ ||
Foods that increase life, purity, strength, health, happiness and cheerfulness — juicy, smooth, substantial and pleasing to the heart — are dear to the sattvic.
Eating with awareness
- Offer food to God before eating — the Bhojan Mantra or "Brahmarpanam" (Gita 4.24)
- Eat freshly cooked food, in a calm place, without hurry
- Eat when hungry and stop before full — the texts suggest filling half the stomach with food, a quarter with water and leaving a quarter empty
- Share with others; food given with love is itself sattvic
For general information only — not medical advice. Do not use it to diagnose or treat any condition, and do not stop prescribed medicine. Consult a qualified doctor or a registered Ayurvedic physician (BAMS) for health problems.
Frequently asked questions
What is sattvic food?
Fresh, wholesome, mild food — fruits, vegetables, grains, milk, ghee and nuts — said to bring clarity and calm (Bhagavad Gita 17.8).
Are onion and garlic sattvic?
Many traditions consider them rajasic or tamasic and avoid them during fasts and in temple cooking.