How Rajasic and Tamasic Foods Affect the Mind and Doshas

Gradually, from eating these foods, the mind becomes more rajasic, which means it tends toward anger, hate, and manipulation. Tamasic food is heavy, dull, and depressing and induces deep sleep. Under that category comes any dark meat, lamb, pork, and beef, as well as thick cheese. Old and stale food is also tamasic.

However, the heavy, dulling effect of tamasic food occurs only when it is eaten in excess. In moderation, tamasic food is grounding and promotes stability. If, for example, an individual has an excess of the rajasic quality—the mind is hyper and ungrounded and there is insomnia—some tamasic food eaten in moderation will help the person become more grounded and get some sleep. We can classify food into categories of sattvic, rajasic, or tamasic according to the table on the facing page.

RELATIONSHIP OF THE GUNAS AND THE DOSHAS Students of Ayurveda frequently ask whether there is a relationship between the three gunas and the three doshas. There is not a direct correspondence, but there is a relationship. Sattva is present in the doshas in this order: 1. in pitta as knowledge and understanding 2.

in vata as clarity and lightness 3. in kapha as forgiveness and love Tamas is present in the doshas in this order: 1. It is heavy, dull, and sleepy in kapha. In pitta, it expresses as aggressiveness and competitiveness.

There is very little of it in vata, but it is represented as confusion. Rajas, active and hyper, is present in vata and in pitta but is virtually absent from kapha. Vata is approximately 75 percent rajas, 20 percent sattva, and 5 percent tamas. Pitta is 50 percent or more sattva, 45 percent rajas, and up to 5 percent tamas.