Experiencing acne?
Try making a few changes to your lifestyle and add these 3 yummy Ayurvedic Breakfast Recipes to your menu!
They are packed with low glycemic foods and prepared with love and Ayurvedic principles that will help you reduce flare-ups and inflammation.
The glycemic index is a system used to show how quickly a carbohydrate affects your blood sugar level when that food is eaten on its own. Eating many high-glycemic-index foods causes your blood sugar levels to increase, leading to inflammation and potentially acne. High-glycemic-index foods include white bread, potato chips, fries, cupcakes, soda, and ice cream, for example.
Low glycemic index foods include vegetables, sweet potato, fruits, kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils, and whole breakfast cereals.
These recipes contain ingredients with low glycemic index that will help you keep your skin nice and healthy.
In addition, I am using Ayurvedic principles to cook the meals. For instance, raw fruit will not be combined with the cereal for breakfast, as it affects negatively our digestion. I am also using spices that specifically pacify the Pitta constitution, the dosha that is often related with skin issues.
Remember to cook these meals in a clean and organized kitchen.
Be fully immersed in the preparation and use all your senses to commune with the foods.
And, hopefully, cook when you are not in a rush. I know this can be difficult, as we are all very busy most of the time, but try setting aside a time for cooking. The foods you cook will absorb your peace, and you will be able to better digest meals prepared in a loving and peaceful way.
Overnight Quinoa and Oats
Overnight Quinoa & Oats Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup large flaked gluten free rolled oats
- 1/4 cup cooked quinoa
- 1/2 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup blueberry compote
- 1/4 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 chopped date
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 3/4 cup unsweetened soy milk
- Topping: toasted coconut
Instructions
- In a medium bowl combine oats, quinoa, ground flax, cinnamon, and stir to combine.
- Pour in soy milk, and mix ingredients together.
- Place in the fridge and leave overnight.
- In the morning, remove from the fridge and heat on the stove top.
- If you find the mixture is too thick in the morning just add in some extra water!
- Serve with homemade blueberry compote and coconut flakes.
**Whole grains are a cornerstone to dampening inflammation and they also provide much needed antiacne nutrients and antioxidants. Quinoa has niacinamide (vitamin B3) content. Vitamin B3 is soothing to red, inflamed acne/rosacea-prone skin and helps repair the skin barrier to minimize irritation and dryness.
Sweet Potato Kheer
Sweet Potato Khir
Ingredients
- 1 cup sweet potato, grated
- 1/4 cup plant-based milk
- 1/4 tsp turmeric
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cardamom
- 1 tbsp pecans
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
- Peel and grate the potato very finely.
- Then, in a pot add the milk, the potato, and all spices.
- Cook in low heat, stirring occasionally, until it gets a creamy consistency.
- Turn off the heat and cover until it is ready to serve.
- Serve in a wood bowl (or your favorite bowl!) and top with the pecans and maple syrup.
**Turmeric is an incredible antioxidant with significant anti-inflammatory properties. Sweet potatoes contain vitamin A, which is anti-inflammatory and helps fight off acne-causing bacteria.
Rose Water and Saffron Cream of Rice
Rose Water and Saffron Cream of Rice
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup cream of rice
- 2 tbsp rose water
- 1 pinch saffron
- 3/4 cup plant-based milk
- 1/4 tsp cardamom
Instructions
- Soak the saffron in 1 tbsp of milk for 10 minutes.
- In a pan, add the milk, the soaked saffron, and the rose water.
- When hot, add slowly the cream of rice, stirring well and constantly for about 3-4 minutes, or until creamy.
- Serve on a bowl and top with ground cardamom.
**According to Ayurveda, saffron helps improve complexion and acts as a liver cleanser. Rose water is Pitta pacifying.
More recipes for acne? Check my all-time favorite tofu eggs.