Ayurveda or Sattvic foods all have one thing in common:  they are high in prana (the universal life force).  More specifically, Sattvic foods are natural, organically grown, and as unrefined as possible. Modern food processing takes the prana out of many foods and makes them heavy, impotent, and lifeless---or simply "dead food."

Some examples of proper Sattvic foods are grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, dairy products (very limited), legumes, and spices.  Certain meats may also be included in the Ayurvedic diet if you wish.  All foods must be eaten immediately after preparation, must be cooked perfectly, and must not contain too much oil or fat.  Your exact diet will depend on your dominant dosha.  Sattvic food should be prepared by someone who enjoys cooking and has a loving attitude toward those being fed (such as a close friend, significant other, or relative). 

At Complete Body®, our trainers and nutritionists will help you develop a Sattvic diet appropriate to your dosha.

Sample Sattvic Foods

FRUITS
Apples Kiwi Prunes
Apricots Loquat Tangerines
Bananas Lychee Pomegranate
Cantaloupe Mango Papaya
Cherries Melons Nectarines
Cranberry Honeydew Oranges
Grapefruits Watermelon Pineapples
Grapes Peaches Plums
Guava Pears Persimmon

 

VEGETABLES
Artichokes Eggplant Lettuce
Beets Mustard Greens Asparagus
Daikon Onions Endive
Fennel Maitake Parsnips
Bok Choy Garlic Peas
Broccoli Green Beans Potatoes
Brussels Sprouts Kale Radishes
Cabbage Leeks Lima Beans
Shallots Carrots Mushrooms
Spinach Cauliflower Celery
Chanterelles Sprouts Chard
Squash Shitake Corn
Turnips Yams Watercress

 

GRAINS BEANS OILS
Amaranth Aduki Olive
Barley Black-eyed peas Safflower
Buckwheat Garbanzo Sesame
Bulgur Kidney Sunflower
Millet Lentils  
Quinoa Lima  
Rice: Mung  
Basmati Navy  
Brown Pinto  
Wild Split Peas  
Rye Tofu  

 

SPICES
Asafoetida (hing) Coriander Horseradish
Basil Cumin Nutmeg
Black Pepper Fennel seed Parsley
Cardamom Fenugreek Turmeric
Cinnamon Garlic  
Cloves Ginger  

 

DAIRY NUTS/SEEDS SWEETENERS
Cow's milk Brazil nuts Cane juice
Goat's milk Pumpkin seeds Raw honey
Soy milk Sunflower seeds Stevia
  Walnuts Barley malt
    Rice syrup

The Ten Principles of Proper Food Intake

1.  Food should primarily be eaten when it is warm.

2.  Food should be slightly unctuous (moist and oily) when eaten.

3.  Food should be taken in proper quantity.

4.  A meal should be started only if the previous meal is completely digested.

5.  Foods taken at the same meal should not have strongly opposite potencies.

6.  Meals should be taken in a quiet, comfortable room that is used only for dining, equipped with all the proper serving and eating utensils.

7.  Food should not be taken too quickly.

8.  Food should not be taken too slowly.

9.  Food should be taken with full concentration; there should not be excessive talking, laughing or emotion during meals.

10.  One should take food in a prescribed manner with regard for one's specific needs.

A proper Sattvic diet includes sufficient amounts of dietary fiber (between 20 and 30 grams per day for healthy adults).  Fiber acts as a "broom" for the digestive system, sweeping material through the colon and decreasing the risk of colon cancer. 

The Sattvic diet does not concern itself with caloric intake.  More often than not, calorie-counting leads to dietary deficiencies, energetic imbalances at the doshic level, and a high rate of non-compliance. 

Which diet is right for you?  As with other aspects of Ayurveda, your Sattvic diet corresponds to your dominant dosha.  Please take the dosha questionnaire before reading the links below.

The Kapha Diet
The Pitta Diet
The Vata Diet

Copyright 2002 Complete Body® Development.  All rights reserved.  View our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.  Information on this page adapted from The Ayurvedic Guide to Diet and Weight Loss, © 2002 Scott Gerson, M.D.  Used with permission.