Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper. A phrase easy to recollect and implement to ensure a healthy lifestyle. But did you know Ayurveda, the ancient Indian medicine system, has a different take on this? According to Ayurveda, it’s not breakfast but lunch that should be the heaviest meal of the day.
Align Eating Habits With Cycles Of The Sun
Holistic Yoga Educator and content creator Greesha Dhingra emphasized the importance of eating a heavy meal instead of a heavy breakfast. “The rule is simple. Follow the sun,” says Greesha in her reel. According to Ayurveda, the digestive system “jathar agni” is related to the heat of the sun. In the morning, as the sun rises, the digestive system is also similarly rising.
So, Greesha dissuades us from eating heavy meals for breakfast. She says this overloads the digestive system. The ideal time to consume breakfast is from 8 AM to 9 AM. What should you eat for brekkie? In her caption, Greesha suggests eating light, watery meals like millet khichdi, dalia or porridge.
If you have a sitting job, then warm herbal water, nuts and fruits at room temperature is ideal. For those suffering from vitamin deficiency, grain khichdi can be eaten. The yoga educator says the worst thing one can do is eat parathas and bread for breakfast as it strains the digestive system in the morning.
Also Read: From Spinach To Methi, Ayurveda Doctor Shares Why We Should Not Eat Raw Leafy Greens
As Per Ayurveda, “Eat Lunch Like A King”
Aligning your eating habits with the natural cycle of the sun is the key. As the sun is at its peak in the afternoon, the digestive fire in our bodies is also at its peak. So, that’s why lunch must be the heaviest meal of the day. In other words, eat lunch like a king. The best time to eat lunch is between 12 PM and 2 PM. The key is in moderation but you can eat dal, curry, vegetables, rice or rotis and a piece of sweet post-meal.
When it comes to dinner, the sun is setting in the evening and so is our digestive fire or jathar agni. So, dinner should ideally be the lightest meal of the day. Ideal to consume dinner before 7 PM or latest by 8 PM. Greesha suggests choosing lighter dinner options like chila, khichdi, soup or a bowl of vegetables. To promote sleep and aid in digestion, she recommends a small cup of warm milk just before bed.
By simply following the cycle of the sun, the yoga educator believes people can bring a positive change in lifestyle and health. So, will you implement this new habit in your life as well?
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