Look no further: Amaranth porridge!

About Breakfast

Breakfast is always a tricky meal. Eat something yes or no, big or small?

What’s your breakfast story?

Mine is definitely sketchy. When I was a toddler my mother said, I loved porridge, oats and milk, forever.

As a teenager I hated breakfast. Then as an adolescent I still hated breakfast, but I started smoking, so I had to eat something so that I could have a fag (ever so sensible).

Now, I still don’t need breakfast, but I have to eat something, otherwise heat and irritability will come up.

What does Ayurveda say about breakfast?

Well, it depends 😊

6.00 – 10.00 am is a Kapha dominant time. Kapha has cold, slow, sticky qualities, so naturally, the breakfast is best warm and spicy (this can be sweet or savoury) to balance the own (aggravating) qualities.

According to Ayurveda not every body type needs to eat breakfast. Kapha dominant body types can easily skip breakfast, but they most likely will eat it.

Pitta and Vata dominant body types are better off with breakfast because both doshas are light in nature and have no substance, so they fatigue easily and if the body doesn’t get nourished, it starts to stress out, which leads to changes in both doshas.

Now, Kapha has a slow digestion. The water and earth elements have damp qualities which keep the agni, digestive fire, low. Therefore, breakfast should be light in nature and, as mentioned above, cooked, warm and spicy. This ensures energy supply until lunchtime without feeling tired or heavy.

Porridge is a great breakfast option throughout the year, but the grains can be chosen to match seasonal needs.

The coming spring is the Kapha season, so it’s a double whopper. Traditional oats have more Kapha-like qualities; they are sweet in taste, heavy and a little slimy, hence naturally increasing Kapha.

About Amaranth

Amaranth has a very high protein content and is a complete protein (this means it contains all amino acids). Although it is often listed as grain, it is not a true grain but qualifies more like a seed.

It is light and dry, which makes it ideal for the spring Kapha time and Kapha constitution. At the same time, it is super satisfying, more like a comfort food.

The dry and light qualities help to dry excess mucous, congestion and Kapha dampness in the lungs and respiratory system.

Amaranth is also high in iron, manganese, and magnesium.

Amaranth is wonderful for Pitta constitutions, too, as it has a special soothing and cooling effect on the eyes and generally anti-inflammatory qualities.

Caution: in case of ongoing constipation. Because of its drying qualities, it dries out the stool as well. So make sure that you stay hydrated by drinking a glass of hot water first thing in the morning and continue sipping hot water throughout the day. In addition, add a teaspoon of ghee to the dish.

Amaranth porridge recipe:

Final Thoughts

To sum this up, breakfast may well be the most personal and adaptable meal of the day. Whether you're a fan of a hearty morning start or someone who prefers to skip it altogether, the key is finding what works for your body and lifestyle.

Ayurveda offers a nuanced perspective, suggesting that our body type can guide our breakfast choices, promoting balance and well-being.

Perhaps it's time to reconsider your morning routines, not just as a matter of habit, but as an opportunity to nourish your body in a way that supports your overall health and daily rhythm.

So, what will your breakfast story be tomorrow? Leave a comment below.