Ans: Body, mind and intellect need to be in synchronization in order for a human being to be fit. Food plays an important role in keeping them synchronized and only sa:tvic food that is not ra:jasic or ta:masic in nature, helps maintain this balance. 

Detailed Explanation: One eats to support body, mind and intellect.  These three don’t work independently. The intellect guides the mind, mind guides the body and senses. Synchronization between the three elements is required, for a human being to be physically and mentally fit. The food one consumes plays an important role for the same. Scriptures talk about ka:ya suddhi i.e the object we eat should be pure by birth (sa:tvic or good in nature) and should not be ta:masic or ra:jasic.  Ta:masic foods are the one not pure by birth like garlic, onion, radish etc. There is no instrument to measure the ta:masic quantity in food and we go by the foods classified by our elders. Ra:jasic foods are those that are polluted by any deed or intention. While cooking food, if saliva or hair gets in accidentally the food is polluted with ra:jasic quality. Ta:masic and ra:jasic foods are not good for health. Food is a key element in man’s growth and its advised to consume sa:tvic food only.

Ans: To avoid foods polluted by bad elements such as hair unknowingly, we offer them to God before consuming ourselves, and request Him to take care of all impurities. 

Detailed Explanation: One who is really serious about eating the right food, can easily avoid ta:masic food because the list of ta:masic foods is known.  But ra:jasic food is difficult to avoid. While cooking there is a possibility of sweat, hair etc that can fall unknowingly. Pollution can happen at many levels – right from the procurement of vegetables and groceries, preparing the things, cooking the things, where and how its prepared, and who prepares it. And one will not have any kind of knowledge of these things. To avoid such things affecting our nature, we offer them to God and request Him to take care of all the mistakes. It the only solace we can take.

Ans: When situations force us to eat food outside, pick up whatever is good, offer it to God in your mind and eat it. 

Detailed Explanation: Many a time, one has to travel for work or we also go to our relatives’ house who do not share the same beliefs as us and don’t believe in God. In all these cases, whatever prasa:dam is given, take that food. Using a little water, cut it and sanctify it and offer it to God  

Ans: Unknowingly  ra:jasic quality maybe mixed with the food taken to offer to perumal. Hence its advised to cover food while carrying in open spaces

Detailed Explanation: One might wonder why cover the food when taking it from temple kitchen to the sanctum in temple when both are inside temple. In one of the temples, a person was carrying the prasadam on his back without covering. A bird carrying a scorpion flew past it and the venom from the scorpion landed in the food. No one observed it. Later when the prasa:dam was distributed, everyone fell sick.  Ra:jasic quality can be mixed with prasa:dam unknowingly due to various reasons. Hence its advised to cover food while carrying in open spaces.