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For people who fast regularly, not only know the 'hows' and 'whys', but they are also well-equipped with the whole idea of Satvik fasting. But for the first timers, it could be a little daunting given all the rules, but here we tell you the essentials of ‘Satvik eating’ that could actually make fasting fun.
What Is Satvik Eating?
According to Ayurveda, food can be divided in three categories: Satvik Food, Tamasic Food and Rajasic Food, which are in turn related to the Gunas or attributes of Human nature. Satvik is derived from Sanskrit word ‘Satva’ which means essence, therefore Satvik food is supposed to be very clean, light, energising and vital, something that is not very taxing on your tummy.
Rajasic and Tamasic on the other hand are derived from the word ‘Rajas’ or ‘Tamas’ respectively. Rajas is often understood as a synonym for passion, but it could refer to anything the drives motion and energy. Rajasic food, therefore, is in tune with this ‘active’ side of yours. These foods are often salty, sour, pungent, hot. According to Ayurveda, eating Rajasic food can propel you towards something great or can also become the cause of your doom, if moderation is not practiced. Now coming to the Tamasic Food, ‘Tamas’ in yogic philosophy is a state related with inertia, dullness or inactivity. These are dry, old food, or foods with odour that often consumes lot of your body’s energy to digest and expel.
While there is no inherent discrimination among foods as per Ayurveda, but during the Navratri season Satvik diet is recommended, even if you are not fasting per say. Since Navratri usually falls around the time when the seasons are in transition, your body could use some detox and deep cleaning.
Here are some Satvik Diet Do’s and Don'ts
1. Eat so as to keep balance of the three doshas in your body. The doshas being Vata, Pitta, Kapha. Vata refers to energies that control blood circulation, motion. Pitta dosh concerns with your metabolism and digestion, while kapha revolves around unwanted growth and inflammation.
2. Eat light, colourful and seasonal fruits only. Raw or cooked, the choice is yours. It is preferable to keep a mix of both.
3. Use mild spices like cumin, black pepper, anardana, nutmeg and cinnamon to prepare your foods. Avoid very strong and bold spices.
4. Lots of fruits, nuts, fresh dairy, and ripe vegetables are also encouraged in Satvik diet. The diet is supposed to be vegetarian or plant-based.
5. Onion and garlic are often avoided in Satvik diet since they are known to promote agitation, aggressiveness and irritation as per Ayurveda.
6. While Satvik diet allows consumption of legumes and whole grains, in Navratri vrat, many people avoid intake of pulses, legumes, cereals and grains. But fret not. There are options plenty like Buckwheat, Amaranth, Sabudana and several other millets like Ragi and Bajra that are not necessarily grains but are incredibly filling, light and Sattvik in nature.
7. Packaged, canned, overcooked, stale foods are a strict no-no. Food should always be consumed fresh and in moderate portions.
8. Ghee is often the preferred choice of fat. So, if you can ditch those refined oil or vegetable oil cans for a few days, you can make use of the ‘good fats’ quotient of ghee. But make sure you use it judiciously.
9. Here are two of our favourite Satvik recipes we can never get enough of, maybe you can kickstart your Navratri fasting with these. Do let us know how you liked it.
