CEVAP:

According to the Vedas meals could be divided into the following groups:

1. Sattvic or ascending meals (fruits, vegetables and grains) for the higher castes to promote transdence associated with the Brahmins.

2. Food for the middle caste (onions, garlic, mushrooms,fish and eggs)to encourage intellect and passion at the expense of meditation.

3. Tamasic (e.g.meat, fermented alcohol) for the lower castes. The food was linked to dullness and inertia.