/
/
/
is it good to eat yogurt at night
FREE! Ask an Ayurvedic Doctor — 24/7
Connect with Ayurvedic doctors 24/7. Ask anything, get expert help today.
Nutrition
Question #25842
21 days ago
64

is it good to eat yogurt at night - #25842

Abigail

I am really confused about something and hoping to get some clarity. I’ve always loved yogurt, right? Like, it’s my go-to snack after dinner. But recently, my friend told me it's not good to eat yogurt at night!!! That got me thinking because I usually have it after my meals, especially when I am feeling bloated. Just last week, I had some pretty rough indigestion and yogurt helped a lot. But now I have this doubt, is it good to eat yogurt at night or should I stop? I read somewhere that it could disrupt sleep, and I’ve been struggling with insomnia too. Sometimes, after a long day, I just crave that creamy taste. I really don’t want to mess up my digestion... You know? I’ve also heard different opinions from others, like some say it's packed with probiotics or something, which seems good. Should I really worry about eating yogurt at night or maybe there's a better option? Would love your insight!

FREE
Question is closed
FREE! Ask an Ayurvedic Doctor — 24/7,
100% Anonymous
Get expert answers anytime,
completely confidential.
No sign-up needed.
CTA image

Doctors’ responses

hello Abigail, You’re having bloating and indigestion, and yogurt feels like it helps, but over time it might actually worsen your digestion and sleep, especially if eaten at night. Why? In Ayurveda, yogurt (dahi) is considered heavy, sour, and sticky, which increases Kapha and Ama (toxins) if taken at night. This can lead to bloating, sluggish digestion, mucus formation, and even disturbed sleep — exactly what you mentioned. So what can you do instead? Avoid plain yogurt at night, especially after 7 pm If you really crave it, have a small amount of fresh buttermilk after lunch — it’s light, digestive, and probiotic-rich Try warm cumin water or hing + saunf water after dinner to reduce bloating If digestion is weak, take Avipattikar Churna or Hingwashtak Churna after meals Your love for yogurt is okay — just shift the timing and form. Once you do that, digestion and sleep both can start to improve. If you have any doubts, you can contact me. Take care, regards, Dr.Karthika.
208 answered questions
40% best answers
Accepted response

0 replies
Yogurt generally is considered a healthy option due to its probiotics, which can aid digestion. However, Ayurveda approaches this with a bit more nuance, taking into account body constitution (prakriti), time of day, and individual needs. Eating yogurt at night does raise concerns in ayurvedic terms though. Primarily, it is because, at night, your digestive fire (agni) is weaker. This can lead yogurt to produce excess mucus which consequently may trigger congestion or worsen digestive issues like your experience with bloating. Besides this, yogurt has a cooling nature, which also could further diminish agni when your body's natural cycle is winding down. This cooling property may also contribute to insomnia or disrupted sleep, which you're experiencing. Now don't worry too much! It's not a hard and fast rule everyone should stop yogurt at night. For some people, especially those with a Vata or Pitta imbalance, yogurt might still feel soothing late in the day. But for Kapha types or when experiencing excess Kapha symptoms like congestion, it might be best avoided after sunset. If you wish to continue having yogurt, consider having it during lunch instead, when agni is typically stronger. This could help you digest it better, without compromising sleep quality. Add a pinch of cinnamon or turmeric, which are warming spices to balance its cooling effect, and might help with those digestion issues. Otherwise, try alternatives like warm almond milk with nutmeg which calms vata and promotes restful sleep. With yogurt, the key is moderation and timing; taking it earlier and ensuring your digestion is capable of handling its nature. This, in conjunction with acknowledging your body's unique needs at the end of the day, will be your best guide.
26253 answered questions
18% best answers
Accepted response

0 replies
Speech bubble
FREE! Ask an Ayurvedic doctor — 24/7,
100% Anonymous

600+ certified Ayurvedic experts. No sign-up.

About our doctors

Only qualified ayurvedic doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.


Related questions