Absolutely, poha can be a fantastic choice for a healthy meal when prepared with Ayurvedic principles in mind. It’s light, easy to digest, and versatile with various veggies. It’s not only quick to prepare but can also be customized to suit your unique constitution, or prakriti.
Let’s start with the poha you’re making. To keep it from being too oily or bland, aim for balance. Use ghee or coconut oil instead of mustard oil if you’re concerned about the flavor. Ghee is excellent for Vata and Pitta imbalances because it’s grounding and cooling, respectively. Also, it’s nourishing and enhances agni (digestive fire), perfect when your energy feels low.
For a healthy poha: start by rinsing the flattened rice until softened but not mushy, then set aside. In a pan, heat a tablespoon of ghee, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and a pinch of hing (asafoetida) which help with digestion. Throw in chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden. Add curry leaves, turmeric, and season with sea salt and, if you like, a dash of black pepper. Toss in some seasonal veggies like spinach, zucchini, or green peas, which are great for all doshas. Lastly, fold in the poha, squeeze in some fresh lime juice, sprinkle with fresh cilantro, and those peanuts for the crunch. Peanut add protein and healthy fats, just don’t overdo since it can agrovate Pitta.
Eating poha in the morning is typically best as it will provide sustained energy through a hectic day but if you’re having it for dinner, make it lighter by reducing the quantity and ensuring early consumption as heavier meals at nighttime can disturb digestion. Ayurveda suggests lighter, easy to digest meals in evening to maintain good sleep and digestion pattern.
Experiment with spices and veggies to see what works best for your taste. Small changes in preparation can indeed make it more suited to your doshic needs. Ayurveda’s all about understanding and balancing, tweaking as you go along!



