When Hildegard von Bingen spoke about nutrition, she meant more than just eating. For her, food was a way to nourish—and heal—body and soul. A balanced diet, she believed, could alleviate illness , strengthen the mind , and promote inner harmony . But it wasn't about deprivation, it was about the right balance—and the wisdom of choosing the right foods at the right time.
What does “healthy nutrition” mean for Hildegard von Bingen?
A central concept in Hildegard's teachings is discretio —moderation. Eating too much or too little throws oneself out of balance. Good food should nourish, not burden. How we eat is also important: consciously, slowly, and with gratitude. Because eating also means connecting with life.
Hildegard recommended natural, unadulterated foods that were in harmony with creation. Her diet was simple but not boring—nourishing but not heavy.
Hildegard’s most important staple foods
Grain – spelt as a life-giver
For Hildegard, spelt was the "best grain ." It was easily digestible, invigorating, and strengthening. It was a popular way to start the day, especially as Habermus—a cooked spelt porridge. Barley , millet , buckwheat , and oats were also essential ingredients in her kitchen.
Vegetables – cooked and digestible
Raw food was rarely popular in Hildegard's time. Cooked vegetables were standard – and even today, it's clear that cooked foods are often better tolerated. Fennel , celery , chickpeas , pumpkin , sweet chestnuts , beets , and carrots were especially recommended. Anything that warms, soothes, and strengthens.
Fruit – better warm than cold
Fruit was also usually prepared as compote or puree. Hildegard loved apples, pears, quinces, blackberries, and grapes. She rejected cold or unripe fruit, as they could "cold the stomach" and weaken it.
Meat & fish – enjoy in moderation
Game, lamb, poultry, and fish were considered strengthening when eaten in moderation. Hildegard, on the other hand, avoided pork. It was less about prohibitions than about giving the body what it truly needed—no more, no less.
Hildegard von Bingen recipes for everyday life
Hildegard's recipes are simple yet sophisticated. Here are some classics:
Habermus (breakfast porridge)
Cooked from spelt, water, fennel and a little butter – a warming, strengthening meal in the morning.
Spelt soup
Boil spelt groats with vegetables such as carrots and celery, season with caraway seeds – ideal for relieving stress on the digestive system.
Hildegard spice cookies
Baked with spelt flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and galangal – good for the circulation and the mind.
Such simple recipes help you eat healthier in everyday life – without spending hours in the kitchen.
Bitter herbs & fasting: cleansing from within
Bitter substances play an important role in Hildegard's diet. They help detoxify the body, strengthen the stomach and liver, and provide new strength. Hildegard used special bitter herb blends for this purpose, which have now been rediscovered.
Fasting also had its place in her practice. It was meant to be gentle, mindful, and supportive—for example, with spelt soup, Lenten tea, spiced biscuits, and inner contemplation. Hildegard saw fasting not as a diet, but as a cleansing for body, mind, and soul.
Quotes from Hildegard on nutrition
Some of her words still act as a wake-up call today:
“People should enjoy their food in moderation – neither too much nor too little.”
“Spelt is the best grain, rich, powerful, and easier to digest than any other grain.”
“Food should not only serve man, but also delight him.”
These quotes show how holistically Hildegard thought – and how modern her perspective seems.
Nutrition as a remedy: for complaints and for strengthening
Hildegard also used food specifically for healing. For example:
- Galangal and bertram for digestive problems
- Spelt for exhaustion and weakness
- Quince juice to calm the stomach and nerves
- Bitter herbs for liver cleansing and against sluggishness
She knew how to achieve great effects with simple means – always in harmony with people and nature.
Conclusion: Food as a path to inner balance
Hildegard von Bingen's diet is neither a diet nor a rigid set of rules. It is a path—a return to greater mindfulness, to natural foods, and to a better body image.
Those who embrace Hildegard's teachings not only learn to eat differently, but also to live differently. With more peace, more awareness—and perhaps even more joy in the little things of everyday life. 🌾