Imagine sitting down to a meal of your favourite foods, only to experience discomfort, bloating, and digestive issues afterwards. Little do you know that the combination of certain foods can lead to health complications. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, emphasises the importance of proper food combinations for optimal digestion and overall well-being. In this article, we will explore seven wrong food combinations that Ayurveda advises against, shedding light on the potential health risks they can pose.
Understanding Ayurvedic Principles Of Food Combination
Ayurveda teaches us that the way we combine foods is as important as the foods themselves. It recognises that each food has its unique qualities, tastes, and post-digestive effects. When foods with conflicting qualities are combined, they can disrupt the digestive fire (agni) and impair the body's ability to properly process and absorb nutrients.
Ayurvedic principles to keep in mind:
1) Dosha Compatibility
Ayurveda categorises individuals into different doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) based on their unique constitutional types. Understanding your dominant dosha can help you identify foods that are most compatible with your constitution. For example, Vata types may need to avoid cold and dry foods, while Pitta types may need to limit spicy and heating foods.
Also Read: How To Reduce Body Heat With Ayurveda Naturally?
2) Taste Combinations
The six tastes that are recognised by Ayurveda are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Combining all six tastes in a balanced way is ideal for a wholesome meal. However, certain taste combinations can create imbalance. For instance, mixing sour and milk (which is sweet) can lead to digestive disturbances.
3) Digestion Time
Different foods require different digestion times. Combining foods with varying digestion times can overload the digestive system and lead to fermentation, gas, and bloating. It is important to eat foods that have similar digestion times to promote efficient digestion.
How To Spot Wrong Food Combinations?
Spotting the wrong food combinations can be challenging, especially with the abundance of culinary options available. However, being mindful of certain combinations can help you make informed choices. Here are seven wrong food combinations that Ayurveda advises against:
1) Milk And Citrus Fruits
Milk and citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, should not be combined. The citric acid in citrus fruits can curdle the milk, making it difficult to digest and potentially leading to digestive discomfort.
2) Yogurt And Fruits
Consuming yoghurt with fruits, especially sour fruits like pineapple or grapefruit, can create an imbalance in the digestive fire and hinder proper digestion. It is best to enjoy yoghurt separately or with sweet fruits like berries.
3) Banana And Dairy
Combining bananas with dairy products, such as milk or yoghurt, can be taxing on the digestive system. Ayurveda suggests consuming bananas separately or with other fruits for better digestion.
4) Honey And Hot Foods
Heating honey above a certain temperature can destroy its beneficial enzymes, making it harder to digest. Avoid combining honey with hot foods and opt for adding it to warm or room-temperature foods instead.
5) Beans And Cheese
Beans and cheese may seem like a convenient and protein-rich combination, but they can create digestive disturbances. Beans are generally harder to digest, and when combined with heavy dairy products like cheese, it can lead to bloating and gas.
6) Radishes And Curd
Ayurveda advises against combining radishes and curd (yoghurt). Radishes have a pungent and heating quality, while the curd is cooling. This combination can disrupt the digestive process and may lead to digestive discomfort.
Also Read: Ushna And Sheeta: Expert Explains The Concept Of Hot And Cold Food In Ayurveda
7) Fish And Milk
Fish and milk are considered incompatible in Ayurveda. The combination can lead to the formation of toxins in the body and may cause digestive issues. It is recommended to avoid consuming fish and milk together.
Also Read: Freepik
How we keep this article up to date:
We work with experts and keep a close eye on the latest in health and wellness. Whenever there is a new research or helpful information, we update our articles with accurate and useful advice.
Current Version