Stress is something everyone feels at times, especially when dealing with change or life challenges, such as money worries, work issues or relationship problems. Stress is your body's natural response to any demand or threat. It's how your brain and body act when you encounter challenges – whether they're big or small, real or perceived. Think of it as your body's way of gearing up to face a difficult situation.

When we are stressed, our body releases a hormone called adrenaline (often called the "fight or flight" hormone), which usually gives us a boost or motivates us to act quickly.

1.Sattvic Food

2.Rajasic Food

3.Tamasic Food

Fruits: mango, pomegranate, coconut, figs, peaches, pears

Grains: rice, tapioca, blue corn

Vegetables: sweet potato, lettuce, parsley, sprouts, yellow squash

Beans: mung, yellow lentils, kidney, lima

Dairy: organic milk, fresh homemade yoghurt

Rajasic is stress, anger and activity. Rajas signify a “can do” kind of energy. We need this energy to accomplish, create, and achieve. It represents worldly power and the sex drive. A Rajasic diet is good for “householders” who aspire to maintain a meditative mind but need to live and work in the world. It has been recommended by the ancient Rishis teachers that a combination of Sattvic and Rajasic foods for those who practise demanding disciplines such as endurance athletics, martial arts, and Kundalini Yoga. They destroy the mind-body equilibrium, feeding the body at the expense of the mind. Foods that are very hot, bitter, sour, dry, or salty are rajasic. Too much rajasic food will overstimulate the body and excite strong emotional qualities and passions, making the mind restless and uncontrollable. Rajasic foods include hot substances, such as sharp spices or potent herbs, or stimulants, like coffee and tea, the meat of animals and fish, eggs, salt, and chocolate. Many of the ground foods are Rajasic. Eating in a hurry is also considered Rajasic.

Fruits: sour apples, apples, banana, guava

Grains: millet, corn, buckwheat

Vegetables: potato, nightshades, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, tamarind, pickles, winter squash

Beans: red lentils, toordal, adzuki

Dairy: old sour milk, sour cream

Meat: fish, shrimp, chicken

Tamasic is a combination of laziness, dullness, and lethargy. A tamasic diet benefits neither the mind nor the body. Prana, or energy, is withdrawn, reasoning powers become clouded and a sense of inertia sets in. The body’s resistance to disease is destroyed, and the mind is filled with dark emotions, such as anger, jealousy, and greed. Tamasic foods include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, alcohol and other intoxicants, including drugs. Foods that are over-processed, no longer fresh, and challenging to digest are Tamasic. Foods prepared unconsciously or while the preparer is angry or in a negative mood are also considered Tamasic. If you are interested in vital health and spiritual growth, it is best to avoid these foods. Tamasic items include meat, alcohol, tobacco, onions, garlic, fermented foods like vinegar, stale leftover food, and contaminated or overripe substances. Overeating is also regarded as Tamasic. Tamasic is the unhealthiest food of all.

Fruits: avocado, watermelon, plums, apricots

Grains: wheat, brown rice,

Vegetables: mushrooms, garlic, onion, pumpkin

Beans: urad dal, black, pinto, pink

Dairy: cheese

Meat: beef, lamb, pork

No garlic, onions, or green chilies

Sattvic diet is extremely nutritious as 40% of Sattvic diet includes raw vegetables and fruits in the form of salads. Consuming natural fresh foods provides all the necessary nutrients, dietary fiber , antioxidants, proteins, minerals and monounsaturated fats. If this diet is followed regularly, it boosts your immunity, allowing a healthier immune system.

If our everyday meal includes sattvic foods like a fresh salad made from seasonal vegetables and fruits, lentils and sprouts greatly promote weight loss. These foods have low carbs and calories which is loaded with the goodness of protein, vitamins and minerals. It gives a satiate feeling which will prevent you from sinful snacking before the next meal. Slow chewing of food is proven to reduce fat absorption and instantly boosts metabolism. Sattvic food is rich in fiber , which helps in reducing calories.

The sattvic diet is greatly popular among people who practice yoga and exercise. This food brings flexibility to the body. Food is considered to be healthy if after consumption brings energy and freshness to the body and mind. On the other hand, if you feel sleepy and lethargic after having the food, then it means that food is not compatible with your body. Scientists have proved that a good diet brings energy, peacefulness and happiness to the mind and body. The sattvic diet is loaded with goodness that maintains the balance in body and mind. With a healthy body and mind, we are sure to increase our life expectancy. People who are seeking spiritual growth should follow the sattvic diet.

Being on a sattvic diet means eating only fresh foods. Our everyday meal should have 40% of raw vegetables, sprouts, nuts and fruits. This means salad should be a part of our everyday meal. Vegetables and fruits have the maximum nutrients, minerals and fiber when eaten in the raw form which is usually lost when cooked. This promotes easy digestion due to fiber rich food. According to Ayurveda, each morsel of food has to be chewed 24 times before swallowing. This helps complete the absorption of nutrients from food and improves digestion.

The sattvic diet is rich in fiber, nutrients and antioxidants, which prevents certain chronic diseases. A small change in the diet can make a big impact in the long run. Being on a sattvic diet means you stay out of fried foods, processed foods, canned foods, etc. This keeps the cholesterol level in control and prevents heart diseases. Diabetes and certain cancers are also kept at bay since sattvic food keeps our stomach happy with easy digestion and absorption. Eating nuts increases the good cholesterol or monounsaturated fats in your body that keeps the blood pressure in control. These foods also prevent stomach ulcers.

Toxicity in the body can be measured if you feel a sense of bloating, headache, skin rashes, fatigue, acne or nausea. If you are regularly experiencing these symptoms, change the diet and detox your body. Having a sattvic diet will help detox your body. Having a sattvic diet will help detox your body. Practice fasting once every month. Having a glass of warm water mixed with a pinch of turmeric and honey every morning removes toxicity in your body. Practising yoga or meditation along with a healthy diet will help cleanse your body.

A visible change in the body can be noticed within a month of having a sattvic diet. You will wake up fresh in the morning without feeling tired and sleepy. Our body feels light and energetic with more flexibility than before. Your mood is elevated bringing in a significant change in the productivity of your work. The sattvic diet helps you to stay energetic.