Ayurvedic nutrition and its influence on our mood

Ayurvedic dietary principles are very comprehensive and offer an individual selection of foods, spices, and preparations for each person. These individual dietary approaches are based, among other things, on the system of mental and emotional states, called Gunas.

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

The Ayurvedic "Gunas"

Tamas

Tamas refers to the state of mind characterized by sleep, lethargy, and depression. People in this state tend to consume convenience foods, reheated meals, fast food, and canned goods. Conversely, foods like those mentioned above, as well as aged cheese, alcohol, and refined sugar, promote this lethargy over time. We feel sluggish and unable to muster the energy for anything.

Rajas

Rajas is the term used to describe a state of mind characterized by activity, but also anger and restlessness. Spicy foods and spices, such as chili and garlic, are considered rajasic. The same applies to all stimulating foods and drinks. Therefore, coffee not only makes one active, but conversely, restless people in particular tend to drink too much of it. Often, rajasic individuals then toss and turn restlessly at night, suffer from stress, and cannot find peace.

Sattva

Only a sattvic diet can help here. Sattva is the state of mind of balance and harmony. We find this state more easily when our food is fresh and as unprocessed as possible. Sattvic foods include primarily fresh fruits and vegetables, but also milk, grains, and fresh herbs.

Here's how I do it:

The path to Sattva always leads through Rajas, so when I'm tired or sluggish, I consciously choose stimulating foods. I season them with pepper and chili, trying to inject some energy into my day. If I notice I'm restless, I avoid precisely these foods.

Despite a stressful daily routine, I always try to put the freshest, sattvic foods on the table possible, in order to give Rajas and Tamas no chance.

Would you like to delve deeper?

Anyone interested in learning more about the Gunas can do so in one of my seminars. The next seminar “Ayurvedic Nutrition” will take place on March 27, 2021. instead. More information at www.praxisfuerpraevention.de

Our author Nicole Krämer is an Ayurveda and nutrition consultant from Siegburg. She gives cooking classes and seminars in her preventative health practice, produces DVDs such as "Vegan Cooking in Spring", and accompanies seminars and treatments in Ayurveda clinics and health centers as an Ayurveda chef.

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