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!
© 1999, 2023 Maharishi AyurVeda Products International, Inc. (MAPI). All Rights Reserved. MAPI does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
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 eat with an empty stomach according to Ayurveda? ›
In Ayurveda, we recommend eating raw fruits and having cooked or steamed vegetables to avoid stressing the gut with parasites and bacteria. Completely avoid drinking smoothies that mix fruits, vegetables, milk, yoghurt, and other such unhealthy combinations that cause accumulation of ama or toxins in the body.
Which fruit is best for breakfast Ayurveda? ›
According to Ayurveda the best time to eat fruit is right in the morning. Most of the fruits except the citrus ones can be easily eaten on an empty stomach. This could include bananas, pears and peaches.
What to eat at night according to Ayurveda? ›
Eat low-carb food
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.
What to have first thing in the morning according to 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.
Which foods should not be eaten together as per Ayurveda? ›
Some Useful Tips to Aid Digestion
| DON'T EAT | WITH |
|---|
| Nightshades, e.g., potato, tomato | melon; cucumber, dairy products |
| Radishes | bananas, raisins; milk |
| Tapioca | fruit, especially banana and mango; beans, raisins, jaggary |
| Yogurt | fruit; cheese, eggs, fish, hot drinks, meat, MILK, nightshades |
9 more rowsAug 24, 2021
Here are some tips to encourage a daily morning bowel movement:
- Avoid heavy, late-night meals and irregular mealtimes.
- Avoid cold, heavy, dry and raw foods; favour warm foods and drinks.
- Take a squat position to encourage bowels (ashwini mudra) in the morning or use a stool to raise legs when using the toilet.
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.
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables according to the current seasons. Consider warmer food like jaggery, butter and nuts in winter and colder foods such as cucumber, curd, buttermilk and lemonade in summer months. Try incorporating a sattvic diet into your everyday lifestyle and avoid overindulging.
Separate Consumption: Ayurveda suggests consuming bananas and milk at different times of the day to avoid the potential clash in digestive qualities. Maintaining a gap between these two foods allows the body to process them more efficiently.
Why not to eat fruits at night according to Ayurveda? ›
Eating fruits in the evening can disturb the sleep schedule and the digestion process. So, Ayurveda recommends having fruits before 4 pm or before sunset. Fruits are simple carbs that mean they can be broken down quickly, spike the blood sugar level instantly and provide instant energy.
What is the best breakfast for pitta? ›
Cold cereal, cinnamon toast, and apple tea is a good breakfast for a Pitta. Vegetarian foods, in general, are the best for Pittas, as consuming red meat tends to heat the body from the fat. They should consume abundant amounts of milk, grains, and vegetables.
What is the biggest meal of the day according to Ayurveda? ›
In fact, eating fewer meals and fasting from time to time is encouraged by many Ayurvedic doctors. Two more points about lunch and dinner: lunch should ideally be the largest meal of the day because the body's digestive fire tends to be strongest between 10 am and 2 pm.
What should I drink before bed Ayurveda? ›
Saffron and cardamom are aromatic spices used in Ayurveda to promote relaxation. Adding a few strands of saffron and a pinch of cardamom powder to warm milk/water can create a soothing bedtime drink.
Why do I wake up at 3am Ayurveda? ›
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.
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 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.
What is the best breakfast for pitta Ayurveda? ›
Cold cereal, cinnamon toast, and apple tea is a good breakfast for a Pitta. Vegetarian foods, in general, are the best for Pittas, as consuming red meat tends to heat the body from the fat. They should consume abundant amounts of milk, grains, and vegetables.
Should we eat eggs according to Ayurveda? ›
The ayurvedic properties of eggs are Pitta and Kapha increasing and Vata reducing. The egg whites only are tridosha balancing. Eggs are tamasic and carry impure karma but they have their place in our nutrition, especially for Vata types. If you do eat eggs get organic and free range eggs.
