Selected verses from Chapter 17 of Srimad Bhagavad Gita
आयु:सत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धनाः |
रस्या: स्निग्धाः स्थिरा हृद्या आहाराः सात्त्विकप्रियाः || 8 ||
Persons in the mode of goodness prefer foods that promote the life span, and increase virtue, strength, health, happiness, and satisfaction. Such foods are juicy, succulent, nourishing, and naturally tasteful.
कट्वम्ललवणात्युष्णतीक्ष्णरुक्षविदाहिनः |
आहारा राजसस्येष्टा दु:खशोकामयप्रदाः || 9 ||
Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, very hot, pungent, dry, and chiliful, are dear to persons in the mode of passion. Such foods produce pain, grief, and disease.
यातयामं गतरसं पूति पर्युषितं च यत् |
उच्छिष्टमपि चामेध्यं भोजनं तामसप्रियम् || 10 ||
Foods that are overcooked, stale, putrid, polluted, and impure are dear to persons in the mode of ignorance.
So do not be surprised when you come across person who can and may sleep on till noon!
They eat the Tamasic food everyday and every meal.
Even when given fresh steaming hot food, they may prefer to the left overs and let the fresh food stand for more than one 'yAmam' ( = 3 hours ) till it qualifies to become 'left over food'
