When Hildegard of Bingen talked about nutrition, she meant more than just eating. For her, food was a way to nourish both body and soul. A mindful diet was central to her teachings. But it wasn’t about giving things up—it was about balance, and the wisdom to choose the right foods at the right time.
What does mindful eating mean for Hildegard of Bingen?
A key concept in Hildegard’s teachings is discretio—moderation. Eating too much or too little throws you off balance. Good food should nourish you, not weigh you down. How we eat matters too: mindfully, slowly, and with gratitude. Eating is also about connecting with life itself.
Hildegard recommended natural, unprocessed foods that are in harmony with creation. Her diet is simple, but never boring—nourishing, but not heavy.
The most important staple foods for Hildegard
Grains—Spelt as Hildegard’s favorite
Spelt was “the best grain” for Hildegard. In her writings, she described it as especially valuable and gave it a lot of attention. It’s especially popular as Habermus—a cooked spelt porridge that’s a favorite way to start the day. Barley, millet, buckwheat, and oats were also staples in her kitchen.
Vegetables—cooked and easy to digest
Raw veggies weren’t really common in Hildegard’s time. Cooked vegetables were the norm—and even today, cooked is often easier on the stomach. She often mentioned fennel, celery, chickpeas, pumpkin, chestnuts, beetroot, and carrots in her writings.
Fruit—better warm than cold
Fruit was usually prepared as compote or purée. Hildegard liked apples, pears, quinces, blackberries, and grapes. She avoided cold or unripe fruit—her teachings described these as less easy to digest.
Meat & fish—enjoy in moderation
Game, lamb, poultry, and fish were mentioned by Hildegard as part of a mindful diet, as long as you eat them in moderation. She avoided pork. It’s not about strict bans, but about giving your body what it really needs—no more, no less.
Hildegard of Bingen recipes for everyday life
Hildegard’s recipes are simple but well thought out. Here are a few classics:
Habermus (breakfast porridge)
Made with spelt, water, fennel, and a bit of butter—a warming breakfast to start your day, just like Hildegard suggested.
Spelt soup
Cook spelt meal with veggies like carrots and celery, season with caraway—a classic in Hildegard’s kitchen.
Hildegard spice cookies
Baked with spelt flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and galangal—a popular treat from the Hildegard kitchen.
These simple recipes help you eat more mindfully every day—without spending hours in the kitchen.
Bitter herbs & fasting: tradition and mindfulness
Bitter compounds play an important role in Hildegard’s nutrition. She gave them special attention in her writings and described special bitter herb blends that are being rediscovered today.
Fasting also had its place with her. It should be gentle, mindful, and supported—with spelt soup, herbal tea, spice cookies, and some quiet time for yourself. Hildegard didn’t see fasting as a diet, but as a conscious break for body, mind, and soul.
Quotes from Hildegard on nutrition
Some of her words still feel like a wake-up call today:
“People should enjoy their food in moderation—not too much, not too little.”
“Spelt is the best grain: rich, full of energy, and easier to digest than all other grains.”
“Food shouldn’t just serve people—it should also bring them joy.”
These quotes show just how holistic Hildegard’s thinking was – and how modern her perspective feels.
Nutrition in Hildegard’s Teachings: Tradition and Meaning
In her writings, Hildegard also described certain foods and herbs as especially important. For example:
- Galingale and Bertram – two herbs Hildegard gave special significance to in her works
- Spelt – “the best grain,” according to Hildegard’s teachings
- Quince juice – mentioned by Hildegard in her writings
- Bitter herbs – a key part of Hildegard’s herbal teachings
Hildegard knew how to create mindful meals with simple ingredients – always in harmony with people and nature.
Conclusion: Food as a Path to Inner Balance
Eating according to Hildegard von Bingen isn’t a diet or a strict set of rules. It’s a path – back to more mindfulness, natural foods, and a more conscious approach to what we eat.
If you dive into Hildegard’s teachings, you’ll learn not just to eat differently, but to live differently too. With more calm, more awareness – and maybe even more joy in the little things of everyday life. Check out our spelt selection and our herbs inspired by Hildegard’s teachings.
