Boost energy levels with an Ayurvedic breakfast.
Porridge.
Light, warm and nutritious, porridge forms the basis of an Ayurvedic breakfast. It provides sustainable energy without overloading your digestive system. Plus, this tasty meal is quick to prepare. Read on to find out more.
Morning routine
Eating a warm bowl of porridge might seem strange. You may think that you don’t have enough time to cook in the morning. While the typical central European breakfast of bread, jams, cheese, sausage, yoghurt and muesli provides a lot of energy, it doesn’t provide enough nutrients to fill you up properly. From the Ayurvedic point of view, these foods have cooling properties and can weaken the digestive system, which can lead to lethargy, weight gain and a constant feeling of hunger. According to Ayurveda, a system of medicine with its roots in India, we also have to take enough time to eat – and not just in the morning. Rushing is one of the biggest mistakes we make with our diet, especially in this part of the world. And we either eat too irregularly or too often, and the food we eat is either too cold or not right for our type. That’s why it’s worth taking a closer look at India.
The traditional teachings of Ayurveda promote food as a remedy. Many health problems start in the gut, and according to Ayurvedic doctors, these can be regulated and/or prevented with the appropriate diet. The digestive fire, or “Agni” (the Sanskrit word for fire) is a core concept of Ayurveda, and it serves as the guardian of our health. Ayurveda is centred around the three types, the “Doshas” Vata, Pitta and Kapha, which differ depending on character and body type – and therefore require different foods.
Easy recipe for an Ayurvedic breakfast porridge
The principle for preparing a nutritious breakfast porridge is very easy and can be adapted to suit any taste and every Dosha:
Brown your chosen cereal (e.g. oats, spelt, buckwheat) in coconut oil, ghee or other fat (recommended cereals for Kapha types: rye, spelt, buckwheat, millet/for Pitta types: spelt, wheat, oat, barley/for Vata types: wheat, quinoa, rice, oat)
Pour double the amount of cow’s milk, nut milk, plant-based milk or water over the cereal and let it soak for a few minutes.
Finally, season the porridge with spices (turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom), sulphur-free dried fruits, nuts, seeds, coconut sugar or maple syrup – experiment as much as you like!
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