‘Food is Brahman’ is a saying from the Vedic Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita.

Brahma is consciousness, therefore, food is consciousness. Though the traditional Vedic teaching has been that consciousness is present in everything and yet only food is considered Brahman. We never say that stone is Brahman or dog is Brahman.

As per Chandogya Upanishad (6.15.1) at the time of death, our Vak Vritti (motor senses) merges into Karma Indriyas or mano vritti (sensory senses, mind, intellect, ego and memory) and that now merges with Prana (Udana Vayu) and finally this merges into Tejas, which leaves the body to merge into the Sat.

Vak Vritti, Mano Vritti and Prana Vritti, in the form of vibrations in the atmosphere come back through rain and is taken up by the plants to become plant consciousness.

Therefore, as per Chandogya Upanishad, the consciousness of the Brahman moves from human to plants and plants to human.

The plant food once eaten and absorbed enters into the human body and ultimately makes Prana, Tejas, Ojas, Sperms and Ova. Through sperm and ova, it enters into the next life.

If this theory is correct, then food makes the consciousness and consciousness makes food.

This also further proves that vegetarian food, as it is full of Brahman creates a satvik mind and takes one towards spirituality.

The Tamsik food, which is dead and devoid of consciousness does not lead to a healthy mind as it may produce Mal (waste) or make flesh but will not make essence.

As per Chandogya Upanishad, fiery food makes Karma Indriyas, earthy food makes Gnana Indriyas and Water in food makes Prana.

It further emphasizes on the fact that one should eat freshly cut fruits and vegetables as far as possible as life or consciousness in them can only stay for some time (as per Jainism up to 48 minutes).