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Lunch tip for Ayurvedic fasting: a light vegetable soup
August 29, 2024
Jana Ackermann
In many cultures, fasting is practiced to cleanse the body from within and relieve the digestive organs. Ayurvedic fasting is the gentlest method.
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Juice cures, base fasting, sugar fasting... Fasting is trendy and well-researched: In 2016, the Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to Japanese scientist Yoshinori Ohsumi for his groundbreaking research on autophagy, the "self-digestion" of cells for a long life. Autophagy is particularly triggered when the supply of nutrients stalls, such as during fasting.
Fasting according to Ayurveda . It is based on the ancient healing method originating from India for mental and physical well-being. Ayurveda means "Science of Life" and aims for a holistic harmony of body, mind, and soul. for mental and physical well-being. Ayurveda means "Science of Life" and aims for a holistic harmony of body, mind, and soul.
In Ayurvedic fasting, the goal is to eliminate accumulated toxins and cleanse the body by consciously abstaining from food or certain foods. The individual constitution of the doshas (life forces) is taken into account to promote the balance of Vata (air, cold, nervousness), Pitta (fire, anger, heat), and Kapha (earth, heaviness, stability). The goal is to enhance general well-being. Health and improve well-being.
“In Ayurveda, we consider each person individually and holistically,” explains Dr. Annette Müller-Leisgang, founder of the Ayurveda Institute Munich . “Depending on the metabolic situation and individual constitution, different fasting intervals from one day to several days are recommended”. In principle, however, Ayurveda advocates 14:10 or 16:8 intermittent fasting and one fasting day per month, regardless of one's own constitution.
The ayurvedic fasting day is not about giving the body solid Food to refuse, but rather to give the digestive organs a so-called rest day with easily digestible food and a generally reduced food intake.
In the process, metabolic waste products, which accumulate in the body primarily through processed foods, sugar, alcohol, and environmental toxins, but also through stress or lack of exercise, can be eliminated.
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In Ayurvedic fasting, you start the day with herbal tea.
A typical Ayurvedic fasting day involves starting the day with an herbal tea and having a vegetable soup or easily digestible mung dal with sautéed organic vegetables for lunch. It's important to chew well to support the digestive organs.
In the evening, the body is prepared for sleep with a vegetable broth. No-gos on fasting day include caffeine, sugary foods, alcohol, and nicotine. During fasting, one should drink about two liters of boiled, warm water or herbal tea to hydrate the body and support the elimination of waste products.
One advantage of Ayurvedic fasting is that it does not negatively affect the female cycle. Other detox cures, such as zero-calorie fasting, can affect hormonal balance and increase cortisol levels, which means additional stress for the female body.
The monthly fasting day according to Ayurveda, on the other hand, is regeneration for the body. "During the fasting day, all digestive organs in the body, such as the stomach, liver, pancreas, and intestines, are relieved," says the Ayurveda expert. The immediate result is a feeling of lightness - some people also report fresh energy and a clear mind.
“If the lifestyle beyond the fasting day is also balanced and healthy, the regular fasting day brings lasting lightness in the body, so that the risk of joint problems, blood pressure disorders, or diabetes can be reduced,” continued Dr. Annette Müller-Leisgang.
Because almost more important than the fasting day itself are the days between fasting: "How and what we eat can sustainably influence our health." In principle, the Ayurvedic diet is vegetarian and consists of grains, vegetables, fresh ripe fruit, herbs, milk, ghee, and vegetable oils, which provide all the essential nutrients.
“The oversupply of food in our modern world basically leads us to tend to eat too much. I recommend moderating everything a little,” said the doctor. A balanced diet, good sleep, regular exercise, as well as yoga and meditation, are the cornerstones of Ayurveda to keep body and mind healthy long-term and sustainably.
