Emily Johnson
The sattvic diet is a vegetarian diet based on Ayurvedic principles that is popular among yoga enthusiasts. It is derived from the Sanskrit word 'sattva', which means 'pure essence'. The diet promotes the purity of mind and body and is considered a lifestyle rather than just vegetarianism. It includes fresh, seasonal, and local produce, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, oils, and non-meat-based proteins. However, it excludes foods that are considered rajasic or tamasic, such as onions, garlic, and mushrooms. While some of these excluded foods are exceptionally healthy, they are off-limits on the sattvic diet because they are believed to be overly stimulating or increase weakness and laziness. Mushrooms, in particular, are considered non-sattvic due to their belief of having aphrodisiac properties and growing on decaying matter, categorizing them as tamasic food.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet type | Plant-based, vegetarian |
| Food energetics | Calming and grounding (tamasic) |
| Food qualities | Fresh, organic, local, seasonal, natural, vital, energy-containing, clean, conscious, true, honest, wise, pure |
| Food preparation | Calm and pleasant atmosphere, clutter-free, clean cook and clothes |
| Food restrictions | Meat, fish, eggs, onion, garlic, scallion, leek, chive, durian, blue cheese, opium, stale food, salty and sour foods, tea, coffee, alcohol, frozen food, fast food, microwaved foods, processed foods, leftovers |
| Food inclusions | Seasonal fruits, nuts, seeds, oils, ripe vegetables, legumes, whole grains, non-meat-based proteins, milk, honey, pepper, jeera, dhania, ginger, turmeric |
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What You'll Learn
- Mushrooms are calming and grounding, the opposite of stimulating foods like chilli and coffee
- They are considered non-sattvic because they are believed to have aphrodisiac properties
- They are categorised as tamasic food because they grow on decaying matter
- They are pure and sattvic because they correspond to our nutritional needs
- They are edible for devotees, as stated by Srila Prabhupada
Mushrooms are calming and grounding, the opposite of stimulating foods like chilli and coffee
The sattvic diet is a plant-based diet within Ayurveda, a medicinal system that originated in India over 5,000 years ago. It is a type of treatment recommended in ayurvedic literature. The word "sattvic" is derived from the Sanskrit word "sattva", which means "pure essence". A sattvic diet promotes the purity of mind and body and is considered to be more of a lifestyle than just vegetarianism. It is also referred to as a yogic diet in modern literature.
The sattvic diet includes food that is fresh, organic, local, seasonal, and has grown mature in its natural habitat. It emphasizes eating in moderation, which is called Mitahara in ancient and medieval yoga literature. The diet includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, oils, and non-meat-based proteins. Dairy products like milk, butter, ghee, and curd are also considered sattvic.
Some foods that are considered rajasic or tamasic and are therefore excluded from the sattvic diet include meat, fish, eggs, onion, garlic, chilli, coffee, tea, alcohol, salt, and processed foods. While some of these foods, such as mushrooms, are considered healthy, they are off-limits on the sattvic diet because they fall into the rajasic or tamasic category.
Mushrooms are considered calming and grounding, the opposite of stimulating foods like chilli and coffee. They are said to have a healthy tamasic twist. In traditional ayurvedic cooking, mushrooms are not highly regarded because they usually grow on decaying matter. They are also a type of fungus, so they would be avoided in a strict mould-free or anti-Candida diet. However, some sources note that mushrooms are edible and permissible to consume according to the teachings of Srila Prabhupada. Furthermore, mushrooms grow in perfect balance and flow with nature's cycles, which aligns with the sattvic state.
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They are considered non-sattvic because they are believed to have aphrodisiac properties
A sattvic diet is a vegetarian or plant-based diet within Ayurveda, a medicinal system that originated in India over 5,000 years ago. The term 'sattvic' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'sattva', which means "pure, essence, nature, vital, energy, clean, conscious, strong, courage, true, honest, wise, rudiment of life". Sattvic foods are considered pure, essential, natural, vital, clean, conscious, true, honest, and wise. They are plenteous in prana (life-force), vegetarian, seasonal, fresh, and easy to digest when cooked properly.
Mushrooms are not considered sattvic. They are believed to be rajasic or tamasic in nature, which are the two qualities opposite to sattvic. Rajasic foods are described as overly stimulating, and tamasic foods are believed to increase weakness and laziness. However, some sources note that mushrooms are calming and grounding, which would be considered a sattvic quality.
In ancient culinary bhakti-yoga tradition, mushrooms are not cooked. They are considered unfit foods to prepare in sacred food offerings due to their fungal nature. However, some devotees do eat them occasionally, and there is evidence that Lord Chaitanya ate mushrooms when he was travelling in the Jarikhanda Forest.
While Ayurveda emphasizes having a Sattvic diet and mushrooms are not considered sattvic, it is important to note that Ayurveda does not restrict any seasonal, organic, and local foods. Mushrooms grow in perfect balance and flow with nature's cycles, and their nature corresponds to our nutritional needs during their appearance. Therefore, it can be argued that mushrooms are sattvic by abiding by the commands of nature.
Overall, while mushrooms are not traditionally considered sattvic due to their classification as rajasic or tamasic, some sources suggest that they can be considered sattvic because of their calming and grounding effects and their natural growth patterns.
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They are categorised as tamasic food because they grow on decaying matter
The sattvic diet is a vegetarian or plant-based diet that is popular among yoga enthusiasts. It is based on Ayurvedic principles and emphasises the purity of mind and body. The diet promotes the consumption of fresh, whole, and nutritious foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and herbal teas.
However, the sattvic diet is quite restrictive, and many otherwise healthy foods are off-limits. This is because, in addition to the types of foods consumed, the sattvic diet also considers the energetics of food, which refers to a food item's ability to stimulate or calm the body and mind. While some stimulating foods, known as rajasic, are included in the diet, foods that are believed to decrease the energy of the body, called tamasic, are avoided.
Mushrooms are considered tamasic and are not typically part of the sattvic diet. This categorisation is due to the belief that mushrooms grow on decaying matter. They are also believed to have aphrodisiac properties and are not highly regarded in traditional Ayurvedic cooking. However, some sources suggest that mushrooms are edible for devotees and can be consumed in moderation as they grow in perfect balance and flow with nature's cycles.
It is important to note that the restrictions of the sattvic diet may be unnecessary as they are based on Ayurvedic beliefs rather than scientific research. Additionally, the diet may not provide adequate calories and nutrients for individuals with increased nutrient needs, such as those who are pregnant or nursing.
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They are pure and sattvic because they correspond to our nutritional needs
The sattvic diet is a vegetarian or plant-based diet that is based on Ayurvedic principles and is popular among yoga enthusiasts. It is derived from the Sanskrit word 'sattva', which means "pure essence". A sattvic diet promotes the purity of mind and body and is considered a lifestyle rather than just a diet. It includes foods that are plenteous in prana (life-force), vegetarian, seasonal, fresh, and easy to digest when cooked properly.
Mushrooms are considered by some to be non-sattvic because they usually grow on decaying matter and are believed to have aphrodisiac properties. They are also avoided in a strict mold-free or anti-Candida diet because they are a fungus. However, others consider mushrooms to be edible and permissible to consume.
Despite these conflicting views, mushrooms can be considered pure and sattvic because they correspond to our nutritional needs. They surface right when we need them and their nature corresponds exactly to our nutritional requirements during their appearance. They are sattvic by abiding by the commands of Mother Nature. Assuming they grow in the forest and not on the side of a motorway, we can say they are pure and sattvic with a healthy tamasic twist.
Mushrooms are calming and grounding, which is the tamasic energy that balances the stimulating rajasic energy. We need both these energies in our lives. When an organism performs activities and rests in harmony, it is said to be in a sattvic state. Mushrooms grow in perfect balance and flow with nature's cycles.
Additionally, mushrooms are edible for devotees, and Srila Prabhupada, a spiritual leader, has stated that it is acceptable to consume them. While they are considered forest cleaners, they also breathe oxygen and produce carbon dioxide, just like humans and animals.
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They are edible for devotees, as stated by Srila Prabhupada
There is some debate among devotees about whether mushrooms are edible. Some sources state that Srila Prabhupada advised against eating mushrooms because they grow in dirty places and are thus a product of ignorance. However, other sources provide examples of instances where Srila Prabhupada permitted the consumption of mushrooms.
In one instance, Srila Prabhupada was asked about mushrooms collected from the forest, to which he replied that Lord Chaitanya ate mushrooms while travelling in the Jarikhanda Forest, and devotees could as well. He further stated that these mushrooms could be offered on the altar to the sacred deity forms of Pancha Tatva.
In another instance, Srila Prabhupada is said to have given the Chinese some concession regarding the consumption of mushrooms, as they are commonly used in Chinese medicine. This example illustrates his philosophy of upholding principles while being flexible with the details, depending on the specific circumstances.
It is worth noting that some devotees choose to abstain from mushrooms as they are considered a fungus and are categorized as 'tamasic' foods, which are believed to be touched by the lower modes of ignorance. However, there is no explicit ban on mushroom consumption for devotees, and the decision to eat them or not may depend on individual interpretation and guidance from spiritual masters and fellow devotees.
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Frequently asked questions
A sattvic diet is a type of plant-based diet within Ayurveda where food is divided into three yogic qualities (guna) known as sattva, rajas, and tamas. It promotes the purity of mind and body and is considered more of a lifestyle than just vegetarianism.
No, mushrooms are considered non-sattvic. They are believed to have aphrodisiac properties and usually grow on decaying matter, categorizing them as tamasic food. However, some sources state that mushrooms are edible for devotees, and they are allowed in Ayurveda.
A sattvic diet includes seasonal foods, fruits, nuts, seeds, oils, ripe vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and non-meat-based proteins. It emphasizes fresh, organic, local, and seasonal foods that are easy to digest and grown in a chemical-free environment.
Foods that are considered rajasic or tamasic are excluded in a sattvic diet. This includes meat, fish, eggs, onion, garlic, alcoholic beverages, frozen food, fast food, processed foods, and leftovers.
