Impact of diet

Another factor that contributes to the stability of our mind is the food we take in. Thought is nothing but energy. The gross part of the food we eat gets digested, transformed and deposited in our flesh and muscles; the subtler component goes toward making our blood, marrow, semen and so forth; and the subtlest part goes toward making up our thoughts. Not only the food per se but also the emotions with which we prepare and ingest it—all these have their share of effects on the mind.Animal based diets, poorly cooked food, or even food improperly consumed, along with alcohol, is considered tamasika. It makes us lethargic and weakens our health. A lion, after its kill, sleeps for two days, whereas a deer is ever agile. It is essential to note as well that fast or frozen foods, even though they are convenient, have very little to offer by way of nutritional value. Rich, spicy, heavily seasoned and pungent foods are considered rajasika as they tend to excite the senses and the mind. And foods such as fruit juices, vegetables and ghee are sattvika because they soothe and calm you. They also have many health benefits, especially over the long term. Nevertheless, even the quantity we eat matters. For example, the right amount of ghee kindles the digestive fire, while an excess of it diminishes the fire or even extinguishes it.