According to Maharishi Ayurveda, fasting is not recommended because it irritates Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Skipping breakfast particularly irritates Sadhaka Pitta, a subdosha of Pitta responsible for maintaining an even temper and, when in balance, brings joy and contentment. An imbalanced Sadhaka Pitta can result in irritability and unsettled emotions. The ideal breakfast is light and easy to digest. The following ideas are delicious and easy to prepare.
How to break the habit of skipping breakfast
Many people are too busy in the morning to eat breakfast or just do not feel hungry. If you've been used to skipping breakfast, start with a little something each morning and work your way back to a healthy breakfast.
A good way to break the habit of skipping breakfast is to make and drink fresh fruit or vegetable juices and smoothies. Rehydrating the body with fresh, natural, and nourishing fluids will help you get a head start on a busy day.
Try a juiced blend of fresh carrot, cilantro and zucchini, or fresh sweet grape, apple, or pear juice. Pick ripe sweet fruit. Orange juice is not recommended on an empty stomach because it is too acidic.
Whichever fruit or vegetables you choose, fresh juice is always the best because it has prana, or life-giving energies. Also, the juice should ideally be at room temperature or slightly cool, never ice-cold.
Ayurvedic breakfast ideas
There are many delicious options for what to eat for breakfast according to Ayurveda. Ayurveda says that fruit in the morning is like gold. This is the best time of day to get the maximum nourishment from fruit. Cooked apples, eaten first thing in the morning, help to create ojas—the final and most refined by-product of digestion. Ojas contributes to enhanced vitality, strength, immunity, and overall well-being.
Sweet juicy fruits are excellent cleansers—they help to eliminate impurities from the body. According to Ayurveda, it is recommended that fruits be eaten first thing in the morning, 30 minutes before other breakfast items such as hot cereal.
Other suggestions for breakfast include dried figs and raisins, soaked the night before or simmered with a little water for 30 minutes. Or try one of the following healthy combinations: dates with a small dab of ghee replacing the pit; chapati flat bread with raw honey and warm milk; or oatmeal with raisins. Replace coffee with Raja's Cup for a caffeine-free, antioxidant-rich beverage.
Adding breakfast back to your daily routine doesn’t have to be complicated—simple, light meals like fruit, flatbread, or milk provide fuel without weighing down digestion first thing in the morning. For more breakfast inspiration, head to the Ayurvedic recipe blog!
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WrittenbyMaharishi AyurVeda Staff
FAQs
According to Ayurveda, it is recommended that fruits be eaten first thing in the morning, 30 minutes before other breakfast items such as hot cereal. Other suggestions for breakfast include dried figs and raisins, soaked the night before or simmered with a little water for 30 minutes.
What should we eat in breakfast according to Ayurveda? ›
Warm cooked foods are preferred as breakfast items over cold cereal, cold milk and cold juice, all of which are harder on the waking digestive fire. For a mid-morning snack, choose fresh fruit—an apple for Kapha, a sweet orange for Pitta and a mango for Vata. Fruit is best eaten in the morning, and on its own.
What to drink in the morning according to Ayurveda? ›
Drinking warm water in the morning provides a gentle flush for the whole system while also stimulating peristalsis. This beverage is purifying to both the stomach and liver, which in turn stimulates the gall bladder and lymphatic system. Try a neti pot with nasya oil.
What is the biggest meal of the day according to Ayurveda? ›
It's often suggested that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but in Ayurvedic practice, lunch is actually the most important. Midday is when our digestive fire (called “agni” in Sanskrit) is at its strongest, so it's best to eat the biggest, heartiest, most nourishing meal for lunch.
What to eat at night according to Ayurveda? ›
Ayurveda recommends having low-carb food at night that is easy to digest. Having a heavy meal at night will cause uneasiness and may disrupt your sleep. Low-carb food will make you feel light in the morning and you will be able to make the most of your day.
How to eat eggs as per Ayurveda? ›
They should be eaten in moderation and preferably cooked with warming spices like cumin, ginger, or black pepper to help balance the Vata dosha. Those with a Pitta constitution may need to consume eggs in moderation, as they can be heating and may aggravate the Pitta dosha.
How many times should one eat in a day according to Ayurveda? ›
Three meals daily
“Start eating three meals a day after you're well. A light breakfast, a hearty lunch, and a small meal before dusk are all part of this balanced diet that includes 14–16 hours of intermittent fasting.
Which food is best according to Ayurveda? ›
Although the Ayurvedic diet has specific guidelines for each dosha, the diet as a whole encourages eating whole foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. This can benefit your health greatly, as these foods are rich in many essential nutrients.
What is one meal a day according to Ayurveda? ›
One meal a day is consept derived from Yogshastra. Its been said that , the person who eat only once a day is Yogi (is a practitioner of yoga, including a sannyasin or practitioner of meditation). Person who eats twice a day is Bhogi(one who enjoyes life) and a person who eat thrice a day is a Rogi(person who is ill).
What should I drink before bed Ayurveda? ›
Warm milk is a classic Ayurvedic remedy for sleeplessness. You can enhance its sleep-inducing properties by adding a pinch of turmeric and a pinch of nutmeg. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, and nutmeg has calming effects, which help in improving sleep and relaxtion.
Vata (2am – 6am) – Vata, the dosha of movement, begins to activate the nervous system, our sleep lightens, and dreams are set in motion. This is one of the reasons many of us consistently wake up between 2am and 3am and indicates your Vata energy is overly active.
When to eat rice according to Ayurveda? ›
Ayurveda recommends eating rice several times per week, but it is best to not eat it every day because it can be a little heavy. It is best to alternate rice throughout the week with other grains such as quinoa, millet, barley, couscous, and amaranth. Rice is a multi-purpose staple grain.
What is the morning ritual according to Ayurveda? ›
Get up early. Ayurveda recommends getting up before sunrise or no later than 6:00 a.m. every day. When we wake up with the sun, we feel refreshed and it is easier for us to get into a state that prepares the body and mind for the day ahead. If we sleep longer, we enter the Kapha period, which can lead to indolence.
What is a healthy Indian breakfast to eat every morning? ›
Rava Upma, Poha, Semiya Upma, Rava Idli, Besan Chilla, Suji Appe, Moong Dal Chilla, Rava Dosa and Omelette. These Traditional Healthy Breakfasts require preparing ahead like soaking & making the batter. These are high in protein. If the batter is ready you can make these under 30 mins.
