🍲 Kitchari: The Gentle Food that Makes Ayurvedic Cleanses Work
- Kimber Jones
- Jul 27
- 3 min read
If Ayurveda had a comfort food, it would be kitchari.
At first glance, it might just look like a humble bowl of rice and beans—but don’t be fooled. Kitchari is the quiet superstar of Ayurvedic cleansing, known for its ability to heal digestion, calm the nervous system, and support your body in gently detoxing without leaving you hangry.
If you’ve ever wondered why on earth people eat the same dish for days during an Ayurvedic cleanse, this post is for you.
What Is Kitchari?
Kitchari (pronounced kich-uh-ree) is a one-pot stew made of split mung beans, basmati rice, warming spices, and ghee. Simple, right? But this simple dish is greater than the sum of its parts.
Mung beans are high in protein but very easy to digest.
Basmati rice provides grounding, nourishing energy.
Spices like cumin, coriander, ginger, and turmeric stoke digestive fire.
Ghee soothes the gut lining and provides healthy fats.
The result? A complete protein, balanced meal that’s light on your digestion but deeply nourishing. It balances all three doshas. The energy your body would have to allocate towards digestion now can be used for a deep clean- that’s what a cleanse is! We simplify digestion so that everything can reset- your body can take out the trash, sweep the dust bunnies out from underneath the couch, and all the chores it hasn’t had time to finish over the course of the busy summer.
Why Kitchari Works for Cleansing
When you simplify your diet to kitchari for a few days, you’re giving your digestion a break. Instead of working overtime to process heavy, complex meals, your body can redirect its energy toward detoxing and repairing.
Think of it like sending your digestive system on vacation. While it’s lounging on a beach chair, the rest of your body can get to work cleaning house.
Key benefits of a kitchari cleanse:
Reduces bloating and gas
Resets sluggish digestion
Clears brain fog and fatigue
Provides steady energy without blood sugar crashes
Nourishes instead of depletes (no starvation!)
Kitchari as Medicine
In Ayurveda, kitchari isn’t just food—it’s medicine. It’s considered tri-doshic, meaning it can balance all three doshas (vata, pitta, kapha) when prepared properly. That’s why it’s the base of so many Ayurvedic cleanses: it works for just about everyone.
It’s also one of the go-to foods for recovery. If someone is sick, coming off an illness, or dealing with digestive trouble, kitchari is often the first thing recommended. It’s soothing, healing, and safe for sensitive stomachs.
The Mental & Emotional Side
Here’s the part nobody tells you: eating kitchari isn’t just about digestion—it’s also about simplicity.
When your meals are taken care of, you free up so much mental space. No decision fatigue about what to cook, no grocery list overwhelm, no stress about balancing macros. Just one pot, three times a day, and suddenly you have more energy to devote to slowing down, journaling, resting, or whatever your body actually needs.
Many people find this part of the cleanse even more powerful than the physical reset.
Simplicity becomes medicine, too.
But Don’t You Get Bored?
Here’s the question everyone asks: “Won’t I get sick of eating the same thing?”
Probably. But remember—it’s temporary. And the benefits usually outweigh the boredom. Plus, there are lots of small variations:
Add extra veggies (zucchini, carrots, spinach).
Adjust spices depending on your dosha.
Thin it out into a soup or make it thicker like a stew.
The point isn’t culinary excitement—it’s digestive rest. And most people are surprised at how comforting kitchari becomes after a day or two.
Why Fall Is the Perfect Season
In fall, digestion often gets thrown off. Dryness, wind, irregular schedules, and leftover summer heat all contribute to bloating, anxiety, or sluggishness. Kitchari is warm, grounding, and soothing—exactly what your body craves in autumn.
That’s why it’s the cornerstone of the Fall Ayurvedic Cleanse. By using kitchari as your base, you’re giving your gut the most loving reset it could ask for, while supporting balance in body and mind.
Ready to Try Kitchari for Yourself?
If you’re curious, you can start small: make kitchari for one meal, or try it for a day to see how you feel. Notice if your belly feels calmer, if your energy feels steadier, or if you’re a little less frazzled.
You can grab my recipe here!
And if you want the full reset? That’s where the cleanse comes in. With structure, support, and guidance, you’ll discover just how powerful this simple dish can be when paired with the right rituals.
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