New Delhi, November 3 (IANS). Poha is a light and tasty option for breakfast, which is also very beneficial from health point of view. This rice dish cooks quickly and is easily digested, hence it is an important part of breakfast in many parts of India such as Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
According to Ayurveda, poha taken at the right time and in the right way gives energy to the body, balances digestion and makes the mind feel light.
In Ayurveda, Poha is considered a smooth and light food. Its quality is a little heavy but cool and sweet, which balances pitta and vata. Poha is an instant energy giving food, which does not make one feel tired early in the morning. Being light, it does not put any burden on the stomach and becomes a good source of energy when taken before exercise or a long journey. Adding less oil and vegetables to it also helps in controlling weight.
Additionally, poha is a natural source of iron, especially beneficial for pregnant women and is also safe for diabetics as it releases energy slowly. If prepared by soaking it in water, it keeps the body hydrated and cool.
The Ayurvedic way of eating poha is also special. Consuming fresh lemon juice, green vegetables, peanuts or sesame seeds mixed with breakfast in the morning doubles the nutrition and energy. Poha with curd gives coolness in summers, whereas if eaten mixed with jaggery in winters, it boosts blood and provides energy. Poha can be made by adding lemon, black pepper and green coriander to relieve fatigue, ginger and turmeric to improve digestion and peanuts and spinach to treat anemia. In case of cold and cough, hot poha mixed with ginger and black pepper gives warmth to the body.
However, poha fried in too much oil or kept overnight becomes heavy to digest and can increase kapha. Diabetic patients should take sweet poha only in limited quantities.
–IANS
PIM/ABM