Prana Pranbhrutamnnam Tadayuktaya Nihanntyasun,
Visham Pranaharam Tachcha Yukti Yuktam Rasayanam...
(Ayu is life and Veda means knowledge. Knowledge of Life is Ayurveda)
When we consume food in adequate amounts, it gives us longevity and youthfulness. When consumed in inadequate amounts, it increases the production of toxins, which is harmful for life. Eating the right food is the initial step towards achieving a healthy life. But just eating the right food is not enough. The right combination and proportion of food is also important.
Ayurveda has three main focuses: healing, prevention and health care. This medical science is a method of personalizing food for each person's healing process. Ayurvedic cooking is a method to prepare food keeping in mind the dietary needs of an individual based on the person's body type.
Ayurveda also classes food in three categories: Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic. These types of foods have different effects on the body and the mind.
Sattvic
Sattva is a quality of mind which induces clarity, harmony and balance.
The following food promotes Sattva:
Fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, fresh fruit juices, cereals(red rice), herbal tea, fresh cow milk, dry fruits, nuts, honey, jaggery, all spices and freshly cooked food.
Rajasic
A quality of mind which induces energy and action. The need to create.
The following food promotes Rajas.
Read to eat canned food, basmati rice, sour cream, paneer, ice-cream, yeast, sugar, pickle, vinegar, garlic, onion and salted food.
Tamasic
Tamas is a quality of mind which evokes darkness, inertia, resistance and grounding. The need to stop.
The following food promotes Tamas.
Alcohol, Beef, Chicken, Fish, Pork, Eggs, Frozen food, Microwaved food, Mushroom, Drugs, Tea, Coffee, Fried food, Fried nuts.
