Shareer Dharma

Based on the above mentioned information and the keeping in mind about the nutritional needs, there are certain guidelines laid down which are as follows:

• Eat two different seasonal fruits a day.
• Eat varieties of vegetables a day.
• Eat at least one source of protein a day
• Eat atleast one source of carbohydrate a day
• Eat raw or salads between a meals
• 50-60% of food you eat should be raw or steamed.

These guidelines are generalized for every individual who wants to maintain good health for a long period of time. Apart from these guidelines, there are certain rules to be followed in order to extract maximum benefits of the nutrition.

• Do not eat when stressed.
• Sit down and relax before eating.
• Chew your food properly
• Diet should be 80% alkaline and 20% acidic.
• Avoid drinking liquids with meals as this dilutes your HCL.
• Avoid refrigerated or ice food directly.
• Avoid fried or fatty foods.
• Include fibers in your diet
• Reduce the intake of salt and sugars.
• Drink at least 2-3 liters of water every day.
• Limit the intake of tea and coffee.

Food is considered very important a crucial part of our existence. There are various concepts around this topic and one such concept is the Yogic Diet.

According to Yoga, the diet or food should match the concept of ‘Mitahaara’.

Mita (moderate) and ahara (food or diet) which literally means the habit of moderate food intake.

त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा |
सात्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां शृणु || 2||

Bhagavad Gita says, “Every human being is born with innate faith, which can be of three kinds—sāttvic (mode of goodness), rajasic (mode of passion), or tamasic (mode of ignorance).”

According to Bhagwat Gita, the individuals are of three distinct personalities or Tri-gunas i.e. Satvik, Rajsik and Tamsik.

• Satvik is implied by goodness and purity,
• Rajsik by Passion and
• Tamsik by ignorance.

The person having ‘sattva’ is termed as satvik. Sattva is goodness, purity and kindness. The sattva is life giving and improves the vitality. For diet to be satvik it should not increase disease, it should give life and should be fresh and natural. Satvik diet is one which gives strength, health, happiness and satisfaction. These foods are natural, juicy, palatable and in its natural form.

The personalities of an individual are highly influenced by the type of diet the person takes. The psychological state of beings is closely linked to the food habits. Thus, the type of personalities is dependent on the type of diet.

The mind and body impact each other. Thus, the food people eat influences their nature and vice versa “By eating pure food, the mind becomes pure.” The reverse is also true—people with pure minds prefers pure foods.

The yogic diet is of three types:

• Sattvik
• Rajasik
• Tamasik

Following a sattvik diet develops the sattva in the body, and similarly following rajasik and tamasik diet develops respective gunas or personalities.

Sattvik diet improves strength, heals the body and improves vitality while Rajasik diet increases hyperactivity, anxiety and the Tamasik diet makes the body dull, lazy and brings diseases.

Sattvik diet is composed of the following foods:

Sattvik diet includes foods which are natural, juicy and are in its natural form and has qualities to heal.

• Nuts and seeds
• Fresh and seasonal fruits
• Fresh vegetables like greens. The vegetables like onion, garlic, potatoes, mushrooms are considered as tamasik
• Whole grains
• Legumes

The Rajsik diet is composed of the following:

• Tea
• Coffee
• Other caffeinated drinks
• Spicy and salted food items

The Tamasik diet includes the following:

• Alcohol
• Opium
• Onion, garlic
• Meat, eggs