Healing Foods for Digestive Health: Green Masala Chai

Eating Disorders are accompanied by Digestive Health Problems. In a lot of cases digestion issues can also contribute to further anxiety, create pain and discomfort. Dietitians working with eating disorder patients should really address these problems not brush them aside and label them as ED behaviors. It will be helpful if they can start to incorporate digestive friendly foods and recipes into patient’s Recovery Plan, this will help with digestive discomfort and will make eating more easy.

Good health begins with a healthy digestive system.

I would like to share a recipe with you by Belinda Blake and Nicola Moore. This comes from ION workshop , ‘Healing Foods for the Digestive Health.’

This is a super drink, excellent for those who are trying to ween themselves off caffeine and suffer from abdominal discomfort . It’s also excellent for balmy nights in Ramadan, before one rushes off to mosque for night prayers.

Green Masala Chai

Recipe adopted from Masala Chai in ‘Spices’, Sophie Grigson

carminative/warming

Sophie Grigson

Ingredients

8 green cardamom pods

1tsp fennel seeds

4 cloves

8 black peppercorns

5mm piece fresh ginger root, chopped

500 ml water

1 tbs green tea

500 ml milk (author used almond milk)

sugar to taste

Method

In order to help release the flavours and oils, the spices need to be gently bruised (this is best done using a pestle and mortar).

Put all the spices into a small saucepan and add the rest of the ingredients. Bring to the boil, then gently simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Strain off the spices and sweeten if necessary.