Wrong food combinations as per Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, certain combinations of foods are classified as "Viruddha Ahara", which translates into incompatible food, that can upset your stomach, and cause digestion issues. Of course, each body is different, so if something suits one individual, it might, or might not suit someone else, hence it is important to listen to your body. However, on a whole, here are 5 food combinations that Ayurveda recommends not to consume...

According to Ayurveda, while whole milk in itself is beneficial, there are a lot of wrong food combinations that you should avoid mixing it up with. Ayurveda says that milk should not be had with fish or meat (or any non veg as such), since they have contrasting energies. This apart, milk should not be consumed with sour fruits as well, such as oranges, kiwi etc, apart from curd. Eggs and milk too, are considered to be a detrimental food combination in Ayurveda.

Honey, Ayurveda says, should not be had with ghee, especially in equal quantities, as both create a toxic effect in the body, which can harm your health. Not only that, one should also not heat honey at all, as it can release harmful chemicals and affect the liver, apart from causing severe digestive issues. Honey Ayurveda says, should be best consumed at room temperature.

Even though we all enjoy a good milkshake now and then, Ayurveda says it is a bad idea to combine fruits with dairy. According to science, fruits digest quickly, while dairy digests slowly. When eaten together, they can ferment in the gut and lead to indigestion, cramps, and bloating. On the other hand, while fruits and vegetables are great when eaten on their own, they should never be combined together, as they have different digestive requirements.

This apart, Ayurveda also strongly advises not to have any cold and hot food together, for example a hot coffee, and a diet coke at the same time! This can disturb the digestive fire (jatharagni) and weaken digestion. This apart, one should also not combine something like a cucumber (cooling effect), with a spice like pepper (heating effect), as it disturbs the equilibrium of the body.

According to Ayurveda, apart from combinations of incompatible foods, their timing also makes a huge difference. For example, curd, while great as a digestive, should never be had in the night. It should always be had in the afternoon when temperatures are warmer, and the body needs to cool down after a warm meal. This apart, Madhura rasa vegetables like carrots, cucumber, olives, and sweet potatoes should also be avoided at night.