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Food Combinations



Ayurveda focusses on maintaining a healthy Agni (digestive fire) there are certain things which can help to keep the Agni strong. According to Ayurveda every food item has its own taste, heating/ cooling quality and post digestive effect. When two or more foods are combined with different taste, energies and post digestive effect Agni can become overloaded. This will have an effect on the enzyme function and food cannot be broken down properly anymore leading to the formation of toxins. Poor combinations can lead to gas formation, indigestion, bloating and many more. However the same food groups eaten separately can stimulate Agni, be digested easily and help to clear out toxins.

Let's have a look at what food groups are a no-go in terms of combinations and yes this means: Melon with prosciutto or cheese with grapes or yoghurt and fruit should be avoided.

So here is the promised list according to Vasant Lad

  1. Beans with fruit; cheese, eggs, fish, milk, meat, yogurt .

  2. Eggs with fruit, especially melons; beans, cheese, fish, kitchari, MILK, meat, yogurt

  3. Fruit: As a rule, with any other food

  4. Grains with fruit; tapioca

  5. Honey with equal GHEE by weight (e.g. 1 tsp. honey with 3 tsp. ghee); further note that Honey should NOT be heated. First let your ginger tea cool down and then add the golden nectar to your drink

  6. Hot drinks with mangos; cheese, fish, meat, starch, yogurt

  7. Lemon with cucumbers, milk, tomatoes, yogurt

  8. Melons should be eaten alone, avoid especially dairy, eggs, fried food, grains, starches

  9. Milk with Bananas, cherries, melons, sour fruits; bread containing yeast, fish, kitchari, meat, yogurt

  10. Nightshades e.g., potato, tomato melon; cucumber, dairy products

  11. Radishes with bananas, raisins; milk

  12. Tapioca with fruit, especially banana and mango; beans, raisins, jaggary

  13. Yogurt with fruit; cheese, eggs, fish, hot drinks, meat, MILK, nightshades

Conclusion Whenever you end up eating combinations which are so good for your Agni maybe just use the next day to have rather light food to re-balance and not to strain your Agni too much.

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