Q. I have read that ayurveda recommends that one's diet should be sattvic. What exactly does this mean and how can I make my diet sattvic?

A. Ayurveda is a holistic science of healing, and therefore has recommendations for improving mental, emotional, sensual and spiritual health as well as suggestions for healing the physical body.

According to ayurveda, foods are classified as sattvic, rajasic and tamasic according to the effect they have on the non-physical aspects of our physiologies--heart, mind, senses and spirit.

Sattvic foods are those that have the most uplifting influence on all these areas--they nourish and nurture positive attitudes, emotions and behaviors. Sattvic foods enhance mental clarity, promote emotional serenity, and aid in meditation and the attainment of higher states of consciousness.

Examples of inherently sattvic foods are fresh raw milk, butter, ghee (clarified butter), fresh ripe fruits, almonds, rice pudding made with milk, honey, dates, Basmati rice, mung beans and leafy greens. Foods that are old, and foods that have been processed, fermented or combined with chemical additives or preservatives lose their sattvic value.