Ah, this is a classic topic in Ayurveda. Mixing milk and fish has been debated for ages in different cultures and philosophies, including Ayurveda. Your mom’s concern does hold some weight. In Ayurveda, both milk and fish are nutritious, but they come from different sources. Milk has sweet and cooling qualities, whereas fish is usually considered heating and salty. When these opposing characteristics are combined, it can cause an imbalance in ‘agni,’ or digestive fire, leading to improper digestion. This can result in accumulation of ‘ama,’ or toxins. Skin issues like discoloration and rashes may appear because of this imbalance.
You’re right, sometimes it doesn’t cause any problems, at least immediately, and that’s probably why you’ve eaten fish curry without trouble. Some folks do have stronger digestion or favorable combinations of foods. Having dairy alternatives like almond or coconut milk instead might lessen these effects. They tend to be more neutral than traditional dairy, though ayurvedically speaking they still carry different qualities.
Timing does matter. Eating them apart by hours might help your digestion manage both separately, dodging potential digestive upsets. However, if you’re prone to digestive issues, mixing isn’t a great idea.
Scientifically, not much evidence directly supports adverse effects of this combo, so it’s more about how it feels for you, also traditional ayurvedic views weigh heavily on centuries of observational practice. If any issues occur, they’re usually mild but noticeable if your digestive system is sensitive.
Quality and type of fish might make a difference too, like fresh vs. canned. Fresh generally aligns better with holistic approaches as canned often involves preservatives that might complicate digestion further when combined with milk.
So if you’re having strong fish dishes, maybe ease off the milk for a while after, or test how you feel when you try both together with different fish or milks. And always listen to your body—if you notice any discomfort, it might be worth rethinking the combo!



