Harmful Fruit Combinations - #2804

Ah, this is actually a really interesting topic, especially within Ayurveda, where food combining is something taken very seriously! Your friend’s on to something—certain fruit combinations can indeed mess with digestion. In Ayurveda, it’s believed that some fruits, when mixed, disturb the digestive fire or agni, leading to the creation of ama or toxins in the body. This could be why you're feeling heavy or tired after eating that big fruit salad. Let’s start with banana, yogurt, and citrus fruits in your smoothie. According to Ayurveda, combining bananas and yogurt isn't ideal. Banana’s heavy nature and yogurt's sour quality can lead to digestive issues, like bloating or heaviness. Mixing citrus fruits in there is an even bigger no-no; they can curdle the yogurt and disturb balance, leading to indigestion or fermentation in gut. About having apples or berries with cheese, that could also be an incompatibility issue. Dairy is considered heavy and fatty, whereas fruits, specifically apples or berries, are generally more astringent or sour, leading to a conflicted digestive process. The result? A sluggish digestion can leave you feeling bloated. Combining milk and mangoes is another classic incompatibility. Milk’s heavy and cooling nature clashes with mango’s sweet yet heating property. This could cause imbalance and result in toxins forming. You mentioned inconsistent digestion, like bloating and acidity, so perhaps these combinations are indeed at play. It’s a good idea to eat fruits alone or at least separate them from heavy foods, like dairy, by a few hours if possible. Tropical fruits best with tropical ones, same with temperate fruits. When it comes to digestion, each person's constitution or prakriti can handle food differently, so no one-size-fits-all. However, generally, try to keep fruits separate, eat them when your stomach is more empty, like mid-morning. Avoid combining fruits with meats, as that really slows everything down. If you're interested in exploring this further, you might want to consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner who can assess your dosha balance, give you more tailored advice, so you can enjoy fruits without the unwanted side effects!