Eating A Warm Breakfast

Warm food is recommended as the first meal of the day by Ayurveda to stimulate the digestive system. Eating a warm breakfast in the morning is vital according to Ayurveda to prepare the body for digesting the largest meal of the day - lunch. The old medical practice views the Sun to be the source of our metabolism, and because it shines the brightest between 12 and 2 p.m., it is said to be the best time to have lunch.

The metabolism requires a mild jumpstart in the morning, and a warm meal aids digestion and prepares your gut for the day ahead. The sun rises in the morning, and so does our Agni (digestive fire/appetite). According to Ayurveda specialist Dr. Dixa Bhavsar, it is not working to its full potential. So, in order to prepare our gut to digest the meals throughout the day, a light and warming breakfast is recommended because it is easy to digest and prepares your gut for optimum digestion. The expert compares a warm breakfast to a warm-up workout for the digestive fire, which we undertake to prepare our bodies for the major activity, which is digesting a meal that requires greater strength.

It is preferable to avoid chilled beverages and cold food during the winter because they may have a detrimental effect on the immune system. Choosing prepared foods and warm beverages can help to completely balance the Vata and Kapha for the season.