Mindful Enjoyment – Ayurvedic Tips for the Festive Season

Now begins once again the season of abundant Christmas meals shared with our loved ones. Many traditional holiday dishes often feel heavy on the stomach—usually not because of individual foods, but because we tend to eat too much overall while moving too little.

Here are a few simple Ayurvedic tips. According to Ayurvedic understanding, there are no contradictions: any Christmas menu can be Ayurvedic if we follow a few basic principles.

In general:
Ayurvedic eating is primarily about mindful nourishment and supporting digestion. What matters most is the right choice of foods, how they are prepared, and the way we eat.

The right menu and digestive spices help the body process food more easily:
As a starter, a soup with Agni-stimulating spices is recommended, gently preparing the digestive fire for the main course to follow.

For the main course, fats and cream should be used sparingly. Ghee, olive oil, and sesame oil are particularly well suited for cooking. Vegetables such as cabbage should always be thoroughly cooked; the addition of cumin makes them easier to digest and helps reduce bloating.

Desserts should ideally be prepared without dairy products. Afterwards, a tea may be served to stimulate digestive juices and help prevent a heavy, tired feeling after the meal.

The most important tip for the festive days:
Drink plenty of warm water in the morning and throughout the day—ideally ginger water. Consider skipping a heavy breakfast and include a long digestive walk in your daily routine.

And don’t forget: even if we cannot fully adhere to our dietary principles during the holidays, exceptions are perfectly fine. After the festive days, calmer times will return—and the joy of eating and celebrating together should never be neglected.

(Source: ayurveda-portal.de)