Food Categories
As with all physical objects comprised of the five fundamental factors, foods are formed with a greater or lesser amount of the three gunas. One branch of Aryuveda deals with the classification of foods as Satvic, Rajasic, or Tamasic, and makes recommendations about diet on this basis of how these energies interact with different physcial constitutions.
As with anything else in the physical universe the categorization of foods, and the resultant dietary recommendations depend on time place and person. Some foods may be in one category in the morning and another at night (e.g. yogurt, cucumbers, etc.). There are also significant differences based on climate, so that the a person living in the Arctic will need to eat a cruder (heavier) diet that one living in the tropics, where the diet can be quite light.
In general tamasic foods are to be avoided entirely. Rajasic foods taken only in moderation, and less so by sadhakas. Satvic foods are recommended for all.
- Satvic Food.
- Rajasic Food. This includes caffeine, chocolate, and strong spices.
- Tamasic Food. The main group is animal flesh, dead meat. Also things that grow from decaying matter, e.g. fungus of all sorts.
