Balancing Breakfasts for Your Constitution

Breakfast is an important meal, setting the tone for the day and preparing the body for digestion and activity. Breakfast can be one of the more difficult meals to plan for when transitioning to a new way of eating. We all have foods that we are accustomed to, and those foods might not do a good job of balancing our constitutions. It is important to choose foods that calm your dosha and bring the body into balance.

The importance of breakfast for you as an individual depends in part on your constitution. Kaphas often are not hungry early in the morning and can function well if they choose to fast instead of eating an early breakfast. Vatas, however, often find it important to have a solid breakfast. Pittas can vary, but usually find it best to eat something by mid-morning. Failure to do so can lead them to become agitated.

Regardless of your constitution, it is beneficial to include grains in the morning, as they are one of the most grounding foods.

5 Pitta Breakfasts

1. Puffed Rice Cereal

2. English Muffin

3. Breakfast Rice

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup Basmati Rice, cooked
  • 1 cup Milk (plant-based or dairy milk)
  • 1/4 cup Raisins
  • 14/-1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
• Instructions
  • Add all ingredients to a saucepan and cook on medium heat until hot

4. Scrambled Tofu

• Ingredients:
  • 1/2 pound Tofu
  • 1 tablespoon Ghee
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon Sea Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon Hing
  • 1/4 teaspoon Turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon Mustard Seeds
• Instructions
  • Melt ghee in a skillet and add mustard seeds and heat until they begin to pop.
  • Add full block of tofu to the skillet and mash into small pieces with a fork.
  • Add remaining ingredients, stir well and cook for 3-5 minutes on medium heat.

5. Oat Bran Muffins

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cups Oat Bran
  • 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
  • 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
  • 1/4 cup Ghee
  • 1 Egg
  • 1/8 teaspoon Ground Ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 2 cups milk (plant-based or goat milk)
  • 1/2 cup Apple Sauce
  • 1/2 cup Raisins
  • 1/2 cup Sunflower Seeds
• Instructions
  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees fahrenheit and grease muffin tin
  • Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
  • Boil milk in a saucepan, then pour into a blender with all wet ingredients except for raisins. Blend until egg is blended.
  • Add liquid to dry ingredients and stir, then stir in raisins.
  • Fill muffin tins 2/3 full and bake for 20-25 minutes, until a knife stuck in the center comes out clean)

5 Vata Breakfasts

1. Cream of Rice with Ghee

2. Spicy Oatmeal

• Ingredients:
  • 2/3 cup Oats
  • 2 cups Water
  • 1/4 teaspoon Sea Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon Ground Ginger
  • 3-4 Cardamom Seeds
  • 1/4 cup Raisins
• Instructions:
  • Bring water, oats, salt, and raisins to a boil in a saucepan.
  • Reduce heat to low and add remaining ingredients, cover and cook on low until cooked through.

3. Scrambled Eggs with Sauteed Onions

4. Shredded Wheat

5. Whole Wheat Toast

5 Kapha Breakfasts

1. Fasting (only if not hungry upon waking)

2. Fresh Fruit

3. Hot Amaranth Cereal

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup dry Amaranth
  • 2 1/2 cups Water
  • 1/8 – 1/4 cup Raisins
• Instructions:
  • Boil water in small saucepan, then stir in remaining ingredients.
  • Reduce heat to low and cover.
  • Cook about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cereal is thick.

4. Puffed Millet Cold Cereal

5. Smoothie

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Please share any ideas or questions in the comments!