A sattvic diet
In Ayurvedic holistic medicine a sattvic diet is one that is pure and fresh and clears the mind. It gives us curiosity, the ability to think, and it wakes us up. It helps to calm us mentally and to stay focused. Depending on your constitutional type, the effect of eating sattvic foods will be different.
Vata dosha: promotes a calm and peaceful mind and body
Pitta dosha: decreases impatience and irritability
Kapha dosha: promotes lightness and flexibility in body and strengthens quietness of mind
A sattivc diet is a matter of timing of meals, as well as food type. Heavy and mucus forming food should be avoided in the morning or evening. The morning meal should be light, the main meal at noon, or in the early evening. Eating late at night (except for some light food, such as fruit or milk) weighs down the body and mind.
The following foods are sattvic and should be eaten relative to the particular diet for the dosha.
Good foods:
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Fresh fruits, except lemon, lime, rhubarb, olives and tomatoes
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All vegetables, except onion, garlic, avocado, peppers, radishes, leeks, eggplant and mushrooms
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Whole grains of all types, particularly rice, wheat and oats
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Beans in moderation, except mung, aduki, kidney, tofu and garbanzo beans
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Nuts and seeds, eg almonds, coconut, walnuts, pecans, sesame, not overly roasted or salted
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Natural plant based oils – sesame, olive
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Fresh dairy products from cows that have been treated well – particularly raw milk, ghee, fresh yogurt, butter
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Natural sugars, eg raw sugar cane, honey, maple syrup, molasses
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Sweet spices, eg ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, fennel, cumin, coriander, turmeric, mint, basil, fenugreek
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Herbal teas, natural water, fresh fruit juices
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Food prepared with love and consciousness
To reduce or avoid:
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Meat and fish of all types, including eggs
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Artificial, processed and junk food
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Soy milk, canned or bottled
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Poor quality oils, animal fats and margarine
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Dairy products from factory farms
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Garlic, onions, overly spicy food
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Fried food
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Canned, sweetened fruit
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White sugar and white flour
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Fermented foods, pickles and vinegar
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Peanuts
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Artificial sweeteners and condiments
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Overly cooked foods, old, stale or recooked
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Alcohol, tobacco or other stimulants
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Tap water or any artificial beverages
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Microwave food
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Food taken in a disturbed environment or eaten too quickly
So if your intention is to stay calm and focused, or get back to clarity and establish a middle ground through all your dietary ways, then maybe adding more sattvic foods will help lessen the confusion.