Which Foods You Should Eat according to Bhagwad Gita

According to Srimad Bhagwad Geeta the food each person prefers is of three kinds, according to the three modes of material nature- Satvic, Rajasic and tamasic. Our food habits say a lot about us—

āyuḥ-sattva-balārogya-sukha-prīti-vivardhanāḥ

rasyāḥ snigdhāḥ sthirā hṛidyā āhārāḥ sāttvika-priyāḥ (chapter 17, verse 8)

Satvic foods promotes longevity, virtue, strength, health, happiness, and joy are juicy, smooth, substantial, and nutritious. Persons in the mode of goodness like such foods.

Sattvic foods are those that lead to clarity of mind and physical health. These foods are to be consumed on a regular basis. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, milk and dairy products, raw honey come under this category.

kaṭv-amla-lavaṇāty-uṣhṇa- tīkṣhṇa-rūkṣha-vidāhinaḥ

āhārā rājasasyeṣhṭā duḥkha-śhokāmaya-pradāḥ (chapter 17, verse 9)

Rajasic foods are those that are very bitter, sour, salty, spicy, pungent, dry, and burning; and cause pain, grief, and disease; are liked by persons in the mode of passion.

Rajasic foods are those that have a stimulating effect on the mind and body. These foods lead to aggressiveness and irritability. For instance, the meat of hens, birds, fishes etc fall under this.

yāta-yāmaṁ gata-rasaṁ pūti paryuṣhitaṁ cha yat

uchchhiṣhṭam api chāmedhyaṁ bhojanaṁ tāmasa-priyam (chapter 17, verse 10)

The foods liked by people in the mode of ignorance are stale, tasteless, putrid, rotten, refuses, and impure.

These food are said to have sedative effect on the mind and body. According to yoga, along with Rajasic foods these foods are to be avoided as they can cause mental dullness and physical numbness. Beef, pork, mutton, mushrooms, alcohol, onion, garlic etc come under this category. In Hinduism red meats such as beef and pork are prohibited as they are thought to increase the tamasic gunas in a person. Pigs and swines for instance, prefer to live in filthy areas and eat filth, and if a person consume their flesh, he/she will be led through the mode of ignorance. He/she will think like the pigs and act accordingly.

Aside, the tenth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, where Krishna is described in abundant detail, the fourth verse concludes:

ka uttamaśloka-guṇānuvādāt

 pumān virajyeta vinā paśughnāt

"Who will cease hearing such glorification of the Lord except an killer of animals or one who is killing his own self?"

Meat eaters are included as killers of animals, and it should be understood that appreciation of the activities of the Supreme Lord Krishna is seriously hampered by eating meat. Developing appreciation for Krishna's pastimes is the perfection of life, so really there's no difference between eating meat and pursuing self-destruction.