11/10/2025
People who mostly eat naturally sweet sattvic food such as rice, barley, sweet potatoes, red or yellow lentils, vegetables, fruits, nuts, milk, cheese, cane syrup and honey are kind, calm, optimistic and full of vigour. People who have a predominantly Rajasic diet of fermented and fried foods along with spicy, salty and acidic ingredients such as curry, chilli, beans, salt, pepper, pickled vegetables, vinegar, sour cream, coffee, coca-cola and black or green tea are prone to irritability, nervousness and impatience. People who favour a tamasic diet with a preponderance of bitter and astringent tastes such as meat, fish, mushrooms, eggs, onions, garlic, alcohol or leftovers from yesterday's meal, and who seek out sweets made from refined sugar, dairy products, yoghurt and ice cream, are prone to fatigue, despondency and pessimistic moods.
It is advisable to adjust the diet appropriately to the changes in the seasons. In autumn and winter (vata dosha season), one should prefer warm food and drink and a more filling and fatty diet. It is good to eat more sweet, sour and salty foods and less bitter and astringent foods. Avoid dry and raw foods. In the hot summer season (pitta dosha season), the power of digestion decreases and therefore we are less hungry or have no appetite. It is good to choose cold foods, fruits and vegetable salads. It is good to give preference to sweet, bitter and astringent tastes and avoid sour and spicy foods. In spring (kapha season), prefer a light and dry diet. Choose warm foods and hot drinks. It is good to eat spicy foods and prefer bitter and astringent tastes to sour and salty ones. This aids the important spring detoxification process. It is recommended to limit sweets.
