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 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 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.
Can you eat eggs on an Ayurvedic diet? ›
Those with a Pitta constitution may need to consume eggs in moderation, as they can be heating and may aggravate the Pitta dosha. It is recommended to cook eggs with cooling spices like coriander, fennel, or mint to help balance the Pitta.
What not to eat according to Ayurveda? ›
Food types to avoid:
Pungent vegetables like hot peppers, spinach, tomatoes, mustard greens, beet greens, and eggplant. Grains like millet, corn, rye, quinoa, and more. Legumes like soy, tur dal, miso, and urad dal. Dairy products like hard cheese, sour cream, and old yogurt.
What does Ayurveda recommend for breakfast? ›
Prepare a warm porridge should, preferably with fruits steamed in ghee (this takes away the acidity found in fruits), nuts and honey. For those who have a dominant Pitta, it is advised to enjoy a toast with a plant spread or coconut oil. Important to note: Ask yourself if you are indeed hungry.
What should we eat first in the morning Ayurveda? ›
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 foods are hard to digest Ayurveda? ›
Heavy foods to avoid or reduce:
- Hard cheeses, eggs, fish, meat, and chicken. If meat is on your diet, try to have it during the daytime in well-cooked soups and stews.
- Peanut butter.
- Raw vegetables and sprouts.
- Bananas, cold milk, yogurt (lassi is okay)
- Cold foods and drinks.
- Leftovers.
Savory Avocado Toast
For Kapha types, consider adding garlic, pepper, and a few tomatoes to balance Kapha. Pitta and Vata types won't need to add garlic or tomatoes, as the digestive fire is already intense.
What foods cause inflammation Ayurveda? ›
Red meat, caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco all increase inflammation. Avoid them and instead follow a pitta-pacifying diet of cooling, slightly dry, low-salt foods. Eat plenty of whole grains (especially barley and basmati rice), vegetables (especially bitter, leafy greens), and protein.
Basmati rice is the grain of preference in Ayurvedic cooking and it is known as the king of all rices. Sweet, heavy and cool, it is grounding and nutritive. Basmati is very easily digestible in comparison to other types of rice and is a welcome break for your digestive system.
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.
What do yogis drink in the morning? ›
It is said that most yogic practitioners start their morning with a sip of ginger tea. Boiling grated ginger for five minutes and adding some honey to your morning tea can help prevent many ailments associated with our health. The main ingredient, ginger, is beneficial in many ways.
What is the best drink to drink first thing in the morning? ›
Top 8 Healthy Morning Drinks
| Drink | Key Component/Nutrient |
|---|
| Turmeric and Ginger Water | Curcumin (Turmeric), Antioxidants (Ginger) |
| Aloe Vera Juice | Vitamins, Enzymes |
| Chia Seeds Water | Omega-3 |
| Coconut Water | Electrolytes, Cytokinins |
4 more rowsSep 22, 2023
Water. You just can't beat a fresh glass of pure water first thing in the morning to quench your thirst and immediately rehydrate you. It really is one of the best morning drinks you could have. Our bodies are mostly made up of water so when we lose some, it's common sense that we should replace like for like.
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.
