Ayurvedic food combinations are designed to optimize digestion and nutrient absorption, and to promote overall health and well-being. Before we dive deeper into food combination, it is important to ground ourselves in fundamental principles on Ayurvedic nutrition, which include:
- Eating according to your dosha: In Ayurveda, there are three primary doshas or body types – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each dosha has its own unique set of dietary guidelines, and it’s important to eat according to your dosha to maintain balance. For example, Vata types benefit from warm, grounding foods, while Pitta types do well with cooling, hydrating foods.
- Avoiding incompatible food combinations: In Ayurveda, certain food combinations are considered incompatible and can disrupt digestion. For example, combining milk and fruit can create digestive problems, while combining grains and beans can lead to gas and bloating.
- Favoring cooked foods over raw foods: Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of cooked foods over raw foods, as cooked foods are easier to digest and can be more easily assimilated by the body.
- Eating in a calm and relaxed environment: In Ayurveda, the environment in which you eat is just as important as the foods you consume. Eating in a calm and relaxed environment can promote optimal digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Now that we understand the fundamental principles, lets dive deeper into choosing foods that complement each other by finding the right balance of foods that complement each other in terms of taste, texture, and nutrient content. For example, combining sweet and sour tastes can promote digestion, while combining hot and cold foods can disrupt it. Some benefical Ayurvedic food combinations include:
- Rice and lentils: This combination provides a complete protein and is easy to digest.
- Ginger and honey: This combination is warming and soothing to the digestive system.
- Cumin, coriander, and fennel: This combination promotes healthy digestion and can help alleviate gas and bloating.
- Turmeric and black pepper: This combination is anti-inflammatory and can aid in digestion.
- Green leafy vegetables and lemon: This combination enhances the absorption of nutrients and promotes healthy digestion.
However, there are certain food combinations that are considered incompatible and should be avoided; below are the most common incompatible food combinations:
- Milk and fruit: This combination is considered incompatible because milk is cooling and fruit is heating. Consuming these two together can cause digestive problems and lead to the formation of toxins in the body. Watch out Smoothies.
- Fish and dairy: This combination is also considered incompatible because fish is heating and dairy is cooling. Consuming these two together can lead to digestive problems and the formation of toxins in the body.
- Yogurt and fruit: Yogurt is a sour food and combining it with sweet fruit can create an imbalance in the digestive system, leading to gas and bloating.
- Honey and ghee in equal quantities: Both honey and ghee are heavy and dense, and consuming them in equal quantities can lead to indigestion and the formation of toxins in the body.
