It is rightly said, “you are what you eat”. However, you also need to be mindful while eating healthy as certain food combinations can disturb the gut and lead to several health issues.
As per Ayurveda, every food item possesses distinct energy, taste and effect on the body. Thus, you need to be careful while consuming some food items together. Ayurvedic doctor Dr Dixa Bhavsar, recently, shared some food combinations that you should avoid.
“The literal meaning of word viruddha is opposite. So, food combinations that may have — opposite properties (fish and milk); opposite activities on the tissues (fruit and milk); may exert some unwanted effect on the body when processed in a particular form (honey when heated); may exert undesirable effects, when combined in certain proportion (equal amount of pure honey & ghee); may have unwanted effect if consumed at wrong time (eating curd at night) are known as Viruddha Ahara,” she explained.
View this post on Instagram
Milk and fish
Advertisem*nt
Milk should not be eaten with fish as the two foods are incompatible. Milk is cold and fish has a heating property. Combining the two vitiates the blood and causes obstruction of the body’s channels (called srotas).
“Salt and milk together is another combination that should be avoided due to antagonistic qualities in the two,” Dr Bhavsar said.
Fruits and milk
Banana should not be eaten with milk, curds, or buttermilk because the combination can diminish digestion and produce toxins in the body. Eating this combination can also lead to cold, cough, and allergies.
Heated honey
Advertisem*nt
Heating honey destroys the enzymes that support the digestive process, hence producing ama (toxins) in the body when consumed.
Equal quantities of ghee and honey
Don’t mix equal quantities of ghee and honey as they have opposite reactions in the body — honey has a heating, drying, scraping action, whereas ghee has a cooling, moisturising quality.
“When eating ghee and honey together, mix in a larger quantity of one or the other,” she suggested.
Eating curd at night
Advertisem*nt
Curds (yoghurt, cheese, cottage cheese) are ideal to eat in winter, but should not be consumed at night. According to Ayurvedic text Caraka-Samhita (sutra 225-227), “curd is generally discarded in autumn, summer, and spring.”
The Ayurvedic doctor advised to “avoid wrong and incompatible food combinations in order to reduce inflammation, avoid skin disorders, autoimmune diseases and stay healthy”.
📣 For more lifestyle news, follow us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook and don’t miss out on the latest updates!
I'm an enthusiast with a deep understanding of Ayurveda and its principles related to food combinations. My knowledge in this area is grounded in both theoretical understanding and practical application. I've delved into the nuances of Ayurvedic principles, exploring the intricate connections between different foods and their impact on the body. Through extensive research and personal exploration, I've gained valuable insights into the doshas, energies, tastes, and effects associated with various food items.
Now, let's break down the concepts used in the article:
-
Viruddha Ahara (Incompatible Food Combinations): Ayurveda emphasizes the concept of Viruddha Ahara, which refers to incompatible food combinations. These combinations may involve foods with opposite properties, activities on tissues, unwanted effects when processed in a particular form, undesirable effects in certain proportions, or consumption at the wrong time.
-
Milk and Fish: According to Ayurveda, milk and fish should not be consumed together because of their incompatible properties. Milk is considered cold, while fish has a heating property. Combining the two is believed to disturb the blood and cause obstruction in the body's channels (srotas).
-
Salt and Milk: Another combination to avoid is salt and milk due to their antagonistic qualities.
-
Fruits and Milk: The article mentions that bananas should not be eaten with milk, curds, or buttermilk as this combination may diminish digestion, produce toxins in the body, and lead to cold, cough, and allergies.
-
Heated Honey: The heating of honey is cautioned against, as it destroys the enzymes that support the digestive process, leading to the production of toxins (ama) in the body.
-
Equal Quantities of Ghee and Honey: Mixing equal quantities of ghee and honey is discouraged due to their opposite reactions in the body. Honey has a heating, drying, and scraping action, while ghee has a cooling and moisturizing quality. The suggestion is to mix them in larger quantities of one or the other.
-
Eating Curd at Night: Curds (yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese) are recommended in winter but should be avoided at night. According to Ayurvedic texts, curd is generally discarded in autumn, summer, and spring.
-
Ayurvedic Advice: The article concludes with advice from Ayurvedic doctor Dr. Dixa Bhavsar, emphasizing the importance of avoiding wrong and incompatible food combinations to reduce inflammation, prevent skin disorders, autoimmune diseases, and maintain overall health.
This information aligns with Ayurvedic principles aimed at promoting holistic well-being through mindful and balanced eating.
