Adopting the above will increase compassion, focus and positivity of the mind which are the qualities of Sattva Guna. 

How food articles rich in Sattva Guna helps in ant-aging? 

Sattvic diet is a plant-based Ayurveda diet that emphasizes on the following factors - 

• Unprocessed, wholesome food.  

• Freshly prepared warm meals.  

• Light to digest food.  

• Seasonal fruits and vegetables.  

• Use of plant-based oils sparingly.  

• Addition of nuts, seeds, wholegrains, legumes and natural sweets for nourishment.  

• Inclusion of mild spices to aid in digestion and metabolism.  

Also eating consciously and on time without long gap between meals, cooking with love, gratitude and positive energy bring about Sattvic benefits.  

Sattvic food articles have the below properties.  

• Rich in antioxidants - Sattvic foods reduce oxidative stress and neutralize the free radicals that damage the cells and fasten aging process.  

• Rich in vitamins and minerals - The anti-aging benefits of Sattvic food comes from its rich vitamin and mineral content especially Vitamin C, E and A. These nutrients enhance skin health by improving skin elasticity, promoting collagen production and protecting against damage by UV rays and other environmental pollution.  

• Anti-inflammatory benefits - Prioritizing fresh and seasonal food rich in plant-based proteins helps lower inflammation in the body which is a major contributor to cellular aging.   

• Natural detox - Sattvic foods rich in fiber helps eliminate toxins from the body thus optimizing physiological functioning of the tissues.  

• Increases vitality - Sattvic food is balanced and light to digest thus provides stable supply of energy and preventing fatigue.  

• Promotes healthy digestion and metabolism - Wholesome food supports healthy digestion and optimizes nutrient absorption without causing strain on the stomach and intestines.  

Anti-aging superfoods: ghee, almonds, dates, leafy greens -  

A diet that is nutrient-dense (healthy fats, antioxidants, etc) can promote healthy aging by reducing oxidative stress.  

Spices can be generously used to your daily diet in the form of soups, curries, infusions, etc. or topically applied by mixing with honey or milk for anti-aging and skin benefits.  

Diet to reduce / avoid Ama (toxins) 

1. Take cooked food which is warm like porridges, soups, etc. prepared with wholesome ingredients.  

2. Use digestive spices like curcuma, cumin, coriander, fennel, black pepper, cinnamon, dry ginger in diet.  

3. Drink sips of warm water throughout the day. 

4. Choose natural sweeteners like jaggery, cane sugar, honey but in moderation.  

5. Favour light to digest grains and legumes like quinoa, barley, Mung beans, etc.  

6. Minimize heavy to digest root vegetables. Cruciferous vegetables should be well cooked.  

7. Have a moderate breakfast, big lunch, early and light dinner.  

8. Avoid refrigerated leftovers, stale food, processed food containing preservatives and artificial sweeteners, refined foods such as white flour and white sugar, heavy food items like creamy desserts and red meat, deep fried food items like chips and fries, cold food items like ice creams and milkshakes, stimulating drinks like coffee and strong teas, pungent foods such as onion and garlic, excess intake of salt and spices.  

9. Avoid sleeping or exercise immediately after meals.  

10. Avoid mixing cold and hot food together in the same meal. Eg. Having hot coffee immediately after a cold dessert or having cold drink with a hot meal.  

11. Eat only after previous meal is digested.  

12. Avoid over eating and irregular eating, say snacking late at night.  

13. Ayurveda has explained some incompatible food combinations which might lead to Ama.  

• Smoothies are not good when they contain cold milk and sour fruits as they disturb digestion.  

• Avoid animal milk along with diet that has fish.  

• Melons when eaten with other foods cause bloating.  

• Honey and ghee should not be mixed in equal quantities because of their contrasting qualities.  

• Eating heavy to digest food such as yoghurt, cheese, red meat at night clogs the channels of circulation as our Agni is weak at night and causes Ama.  

• Honey although having beneficial properties when heated can destroy its medicinal properties and increase HMF (Hydroxymethyfurfural). 

Irregular or unhealthy eating habits affect overall performance of all of our systems. Healthy eating is just as important for effective digestion and absorption as the healthy diet itself. Food should be fresh and whole and prepared lovingly. Ayurveda advocates that everyone should have food in properly ventilated, calm, quiet corner and should not do any other job at the time of having food like watching your favourite television show or talking and discussing any business issue. Eat with your full attention on the food, in a calm and serene frame of mind, and one should chew food properly before swallowing. For a good digestion a healthy person should not drink too much water during meals, few sips of water in between bites is fine. Otherwise, proper watering time is half an hour after food. One should drink lukewarm water especially during a meal that contains oily, spicy or non-vegetarian food.