Ice Cream And Gulab Jamun To Palak And Paneer: Food Combinations You Must Avoid

Ayurveda, the ancient and traditional system of medicine originating in India, emphasises the importance of proper digestion and achieving balance in the body. A healthy diet is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, it is crucial to take care of your diet because what you eat will eventually have an impact on your overall health and well-being. Food fuel your body with the nutrients you need to function, but everything goes in vain if you eat them in the wrong combination. Yes, you read that right. According to Ayurveda, certain food combinations can lead to digestive issues and contribute to ill health.

Recently, nutritionist and yoga teacher Juhi Kapoor took to her Instagram and shared some wrong food combinations as per Ayurveda that we must avoid.

Ice cream and Gulab Jamun

The combination of ice cream and Gulab Jamun is a delicious and popular fusion dessert among desis. The cold, creamy sweetness of ice cream perfectly complements the warm, syrupy sweetness of Gulab Jamun. But sorry, folks, for bursting your bubble. Ayurveda strictly suggests avoiding hot and cold food together, as it can lead to bloating, gas, or discomfort. Consuming hot food increases blood flow to the stomach to aid in digestion and dissipate heat, while cold foods can slow down digestion and cause constriction of blood vessels in the stomach.

Tea with meals

Another food combination we have all been consuming wrong is tea with breakfast or snacks. Tea contains antinutrients like tannin and caffeine, which hinder the absorption of iron and calcium in the body.

Fruit and milk

Yes, we aren’t kidding. We all love milkshakes and smoothies to cool down on a hot summer day. While it tastes amazing, fruits and milk might not go well when mixed because they can also lead to bloating and discomfort. Ayurveda suggests avoiding combining fruit and milk, as this combination may cause the fruit to ferment in the stomach, leading to digestive issues for some individuals. However, only mangoes are suitable to mix with milk if they are sweet.

Palak and Paneer

Palak paneer is a beloved vegetarian dish throughout India. But Ayurveda advises not to mix them. Though palak (spinach) and paneer (Indian cheese) are nutritious foods on their own, combining them might reduce the overall nutritional benefits of the meal as the calcium in paneer can interfere with the absorption of iron from spinach.

Date and milk

Pairing foods rich in calcium with those high in iron can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb iron. The combination of milk and dates could potentially reduce the overall iron uptake from the meal. Eating this combination occasionally is fine, but making it a habit would hinder the absorption of iron and calcium in the body.

Honey with hot water

As per Ayurveda, heating honey can destroy its beneficial enzymes and antioxidants, making it less nutritious. In addition to that, mixing honey with hot liquids, like water, tea, or coffee, may create harmful compounds that diminish their therapeutic properties and may produce harmful substances.It is recommended to consume honey at room temperature or in lukewarm water to preserve its health benefits.

Fish and Milk

Consuming fish and milk together is considered a strict no in Ayurveda as it may lead to digestive discomfort. As per Ayurveda, these two protein sources are Viruddha Ahaar. When combined, they become indigestible and cause the buildup of harmful toxins in the body.

Yoghurt with Sour Fruits

Ayurveda suggests avoiding combining yogurt with sour fruits because it may cause an imbalance in the digestive fire (Agni) and lead to digestive issues like bloating and gas.

Were you consuming any of these combinations?