Ayurvedic Nutrition and the Influence on Our Mind

Ayurveda's nutritional theory is very extensive and offers an individual selection of foods, spices and preparations for each person. The individual diets are based, among other things, on the system of moods, called Gunas.

Ayurveda distinguishes between three different moods that can be influenced by our diet. Just as our diet influences our mood, our mood also influences our appetite.

The Ayurvedic "Gunas"

Tamas

Tamas is the state of mind of sleep, lethargy and depression. People in this state tend to consume processed foods, reheated food, fast food and canned goods. Conversely, foods like those mentioned above, but also old cheese, alcohol and white sugar, promote this lethargy in the long term. We feel tired and can't get ourselves to do anything.

Rajas

Rajas is the state of mind of activity, but also of anger and restlessness. Spicy dishes and spices, such as chili and garlic, are counted among the rajasic foods. The same applies to all stimulating foods and drinks. Coffee not only makes you active, but conversely, restless people in particular tend to drink too much of it. Rajasic minds often toss and turn at night, suffer from stress and cannot find peace.

Sattwa

Only a sattwic diet can help here. Sattva is the state of mind of balance and harmony. We find this state easier when our food is fresh and as unprocessed as possible. Sattwic foods include mainly fresh fruit and vegetables, but also milk, grains and fresh herbs.

I do it like this:

The path to Sattva always leads through Rajas, so when I am tired or sluggish, I consciously choose stimulating foods. I season with pepper and chili and try to bring some energy back into the day. If I notice that I am restless, I avoid these foods.

Despite my stressful everyday life, I always try to put as fresh, sattwic food on the table as possible so as not to give Rajas and Tamas a chance.

Would you like to go deeper?

Anyone interested in learning more about the Gunas can do so in one of my seminars. The next seminar “The Ayurveda Diet” will take place on 27.03.2021 For more information visit www.praxisfuerpraevention.de

Our author Nicole Krämer is an Ayurveda and nutrition consultant from Siegburg. She gives cooking courses and seminars in her practice for prevention, makes DVDs such as “Vegan cooking in spring” and accompanies seminars and treatments in Ayurveda clinics and health centers as an Ayurveda cook.

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53721 Siegburg

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www.praxisfuerpraevention.de