Page 16 - Living Aloha Magazine January February 2017 Issue

FOOD for the soul

by Steve Phillips

With an increasing interest in optimum
health, many people today are searching for
just the right diet for them. Although there

are many dietary theories, most of them
focus on one’s physical health.

So, what is the ultimate diet for our overall health and well-being?

This is a question that each individual will need to answer unrefined cold-pressed oils (such as olive oil, sesame oil,
on their own, depending on their goals in life. In this sunflower oil and flax oil), dairy products and mild herbs
article we will describe a less known diet called the Sattvic and spices. These foods, when freshly prepared, provide
Diet, which considers mental and spiritual well-being, as optimum health and energy for the body and mind, and
well as physical health. do not cause mental agitation.

Yoga philosophy describes three forces or gunas (in Whole grains such as rice, quinoa, whole wheat,
Sanskrit) in the creation. They are sattvaguna, rajaguna spelt, oats, buckwheat and barley provide good
and tamaguna. These three forces are inherent in all nourishment when well cooked. The grains can be
entities, in varying proportions, and changing with time, lightly roasted before cooking to remove some of their
place and person. Sattva is defined by the qualities of heavy quality. Grains can be sprouted before cooking
purity and goodness. Raja is the force of restless energy. to make them more digestible. Legumes such as mung
Tama is the static force. beans, yellow split peas, organic tofu, bean sprouts and
adzuki beans are considered sattvic. Some methods to
Some foods, even raw and vegan, can harm one’s health improve digestion of beans and grains include splitting,
and spiritual progress and other foods can benefit one’s grinding, soaking, sprouting, cooking and spicing.
health and accelerate one’s spiritual progress. According
to yoga philosophy, there are three categories of food (in disClAimer:
sanskrit language): sattvic (sentient), rajasic (mutative) and Living Aloha Magazine does not approve of
tamasic (static). consuming or using animal products in any way, but
for the sake of this article, we want to give you a
Sattvic food is that which is pure, wholesome, and picture of a traditional Sattvic lifestyle.
abundant in Universal life force. A sattvic diet is food
that gives life, strength, courage and self-determination. Dairy products are controversial these days, but the
Sattvic food goes beyond the physical requirements yoga tradition believes in the value of organic dairy,
of life and gives us the subtle nourishment needed for provided that the cows or goats are treated with
vitality and consciousness. Sattvic food leaves us feeling kindness. It is best to buy from a family farm where you
calm, alert and refreshed. know the people and how they treat the animals. Milk,
butter, ghee, homemade cheese, whey and fresh yogurt
According to yoga philosophy, the best category of food are all acceptable. Traditionally, if a yogi is doing advanced
for health and spiritual progress is sattvic. Sattvic foods practices, dairy provides needed lubrication, grounding
are good for the body, mind and soul. These include fresh and nourishment. Of course, one can follow a sattvic diet
fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fresh nuts without eating dairy products. Freshly prepared nut milks
and seeds (that have not been overly roasted and salted), are a good alternative.

16 FEATURES Living Aloha | JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2017