In Ayurvedic dietetics, we understand a sattvic diet to be a very pure and natural form of nutrition, the aim of which is to increase a person's spiritual condition. The dietary criteria are based on the three gunas tamas, rajas and sattva and are intended to help overcome tamas and rajas and increase sattva. They therefore correspond to all the principles that can be used to strengthen the clarity of the mind, the purity of the emotions and the strength of the body.
Vegetarian or meat? This is the crucial question in Ayurvedic nutrition when it comes to sattvic consciousness. Because the aim of the sattvic Ayurvedic diet is to promote our spiritual development, and a natural, organic diet that avoids all meat proteins is an absolute must. Through ahimsa, the spiritual principle of non-violence, we gain spiritual strength, subtle energy and mental vitality.
In the sattvic diet, all animal products such as meat, fish and eggs are strictly avoided. The only source of animal protein is fresh organic milk, butter, ghee and a little yoghurt. Stimulants such as coffee, black tea, garlic and onions are also forbidden, as they have a negative influence on the purity of the mind. Another important aspect of the sattvic diet is prayer: Every meal is prepared with great gratitude for God's gifts in awareness and eaten in peace. We cook with much love and put all our tenderness into the processing of living food - we lovingly cut our vegetables, breathe in their fragrance while cooking, hear them gently simmering and see the finished dishes in their healing power emerging before our inner eye. By chanting spiritual verses (mantras), we can further enhance the healing power of cooking.
Traditionally, all yogis and other spiritual seekers follow these basic sattvic rules in their diet and practice them in monasteries and temples.
But even if we do not lead a strict yoga life, the sattvic diet can be a valuable therapy for us. A pure diet frees us from psychological waste products and brings suppressed feelings to the surface. Depressed or traumatized people in particular are often burdened with "mental ama" and can get back in touch with themselves with the sattvic diet and free themselves from their fears, aggression and negative emotions.
With the right diet, we experience new vitality and clarity, which can give us the strength to shed old personality patterns and integrate a new self-image into our lives. To achieve this, around half of our diet should consist of unprocessed vegetables and fruit, as well as wholesome cereal products and nuts. The simple and mildly spiced food balances the physical and mental fire and promotes inner peace and purity. The basic taste of the sattvic diet is made up of sweet and bitter foods, such as sweet fruits, nuts or leafy vegetables. These open our minds, free us from negative emotions and promote the healing process for mental illnesses.
One of the most important sattvic dietary rules is to enjoy a healthy, freshly cooked meal in the evening. In everyday practice for the average Central European, this means saying goodbye to the cold evening meal and eating a warm soup or a light dish of vegetables and grains instead.
But what sounds so easy (and delicious) can be an unexpected challenge for many. My clients are often anything but enthusiastic when I suggest cooking a warm evening meal: "What, I'm supposed to get back to the stove after a long day at work? I'm far too tired for that..." comes the defensive argument. Or: "When I get home in the evening, I'm so hungry that I stuff myself with everything in the fridge. Then I lie down on the sofa and fall asleep in front of the TV." Single working people in particular struggle with high-quality self-catering and many lack the time and energy to build a positive relationship with the stove and kitchen apron.
In this way, many people suffer from an excess of rajas energy, which manifests itself in physical and mental overload, stress and emotional imbalance. In the evening, the body wants to rest and if we are already exhausted, it is tempting to sink into tamas with a bottle of red wine and a bar of chocolate instead of getting into a state of sattva with a fresh vegetable soup. Experience has shown that the most dangerous food traps await us in the evening, when we are tired and exhausted and give in to low energy levels. This is because in the tamasic energy field we are particularly susceptible to tamasic foods such as fast food or sweets. If, on the other hand, we manage to store up enough life energy for the evening, we can use it for many beautiful and regenerative things that increase our spiritual strength and quality of life.
In my experience, the best way to avoid an energy leak is to boost positive energy levels in the afternoon with a warm cup of tea, a relaxing walk in nature or a yoga class. With this balancing build-up program, we recharge our Sattva batteries and gain the strength for all tasks - including cooking - in the evening. This completes the Sattva cycle for a harmonious, healthy and spiritual life in the spirit of Ayurveda.
Traditional rules of the sattvic diet
