Sattvic Food is the Best Medicine - By Chef Rajat Ranjeet

In our ancient scriptures, the three Gunas-Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas-are essential qualities that influence not only our mind but also our body. These Gunas describe different states of being: while Sattva represents purity, peace, and contentment, Rajas is linked to activity, energy, and motion. On the other hand, Tamas brings about laziness, restlessness, and baser instincts. From these three qualities, we derive the terms Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic to describe various foods and behaviors.

In the Chandogya Upanishad, it is said that we are born of five fires: the sun fire, the rain fire, the earth fire, the man fire, and the woman fire. The earth sustains us with food, which nourishes our bodies. Since we are born of food, the type of food we consume directly affects our physical and mental states. Whether we eat Sattvic, Rajasic, or Tamasic food determines the nature of our thoughts, emotions, and overall health. Since food is energy, it is essential to pay attention to what we eat, as it shapes both our bodies and minds.

In extreme situations, we may have no choice but to eat whatever we can find for survival. For instance, in a plane crash, passengers stranded in a remote location may be forced to resort to desperate measures, such as eating the body of a deceased passenger. While these extreme circumstances are rare, in our normal, daily life, we have the choice to consume food that benefits both body and mind.

Sattvic food, known for its calming and purifying qualities, helps maintain inner peace, balance, and love. Foods such as dairy products, fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains are Sattvic, promoting clarity of mind and good health. On the other hand, Rajasic foods, which include onions, garlic, stimulants like alcohol and coffee, tend to agitate the mind, making a person restless, sleepless, and anxious. Tamasic foods, which involve the killing of animals and birds, promote lethargy and dullness.

Swami Vivekananda once advised against turning our stomachs into graveyards by consuming meat. He believed that when an animal is slaughtered, it experiences intense fear and anger, and this negative energy enters the body of the person who consumes the meat. Over time, this accumulated anger may manifest in our behavior, leading to hostility in society. When this anger spreads throughout society, it can result in conflict, wars, and even global unrest.

If we seek peace, both within ourselves and in the world around us, Sattvic food is the way forward. By choosing Sattvic foods, we promote harmony, health, and a compassionate way of living. The world is slowly embracing vegetarianism, recognizing the value of a diet that is kind to both the body and the planet.

In the end, choosing Sattvic food is not just about nourishing the body—it is a step toward creating a more peaceful, loving world.