Ask Ayurveda

/
/
/
Can We Eat Curd And Papaya Together
FREE! Ask an Ayurvedic Doctor — 24/7
Connect with Ayurvedic doctors 24/7. Ask anything, get expert help today.
Nutrition
Question #3798
293 days ago
303

Can We Eat Curd And Papaya Together - #3798

Hudson

I’ve been following an Ayurvedic diet for the past few months to help with some digestive issues I’ve been struggling with, like bloating and acidity. I’ve been trying to incorporate more natural and whole foods into my meals, and I’ve heard a lot about the benefits of curd (yogurt) and papaya for digestion. Recently, I had a meal where I combined both curd and papaya, and I felt fine afterward, but now I’m wondering if that’s the best combination, especially from an Ayurvedic perspective. I’ve always loved papaya, and it’s one of my go-to fruits for breakfast or dessert. I also try to include curd in my diet for its probiotic benefits. But after reading some Ayurvedic dietary guidelines, I’m starting to get confused. I’ve heard that certain food combinations can be problematic in Ayurveda, and I’m unsure if eating curd and papaya together is one of those combinations. I’ve read that some fruits and dairy don’t mix well, but is papaya an exception, or is it still best to avoid combining curd and papaya together? From what I understand, Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of food combinations, as improper combinations can lead to digestive issues and imbalances in the body. I’ve heard that some food pairings, like fruit and dairy, can be heavy on digestion and lead to discomfort. Could the combination of curd and papaya together cause any digestive discomfort for someone like me who already struggles with bloating and acidity? If it’s not a good combination, what are some alternatives that are better for digestion and still allow me to enjoy these foods? I’ve also heard that papaya is considered a hot fruit in Ayurveda, while curd is cool in nature. Does this mean that combining curd and papaya together could create an imbalance in the body, especially in terms of temperature or digestive processes? Could this affect the way my body processes food and cause discomfort, or is it safe as long as the portions are balanced properly? Since I’m new to Ayurvedic principles, I’m wondering if there are any other common food pairings that I should be cautious of. What other food combinations should I avoid for better digestion, especially considering my symptoms of bloating and acidity? I’m trying to learn how to properly combine foods that work well together without causing digestive distress, but I’m still figuring out what’s best for my body. Lastly, I’m curious if Ayurveda suggests certain times of day or ways to consume curd and papaya together to make them more digestible. Is there a better way to enjoy these foods that supports digestion, or should I avoid them completely as a combination? How can I modify my approach to enjoying both of these ingredients without risking digestive issues?

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

In Ayurveda, combining curd and papaya is not recommended due to their opposing qualities—curd is heavy and sour, while papaya is sweet and heating. This can disrupt digestion, especially for those with bloating or acidity.

Alternatives: Enjoy papaya alone, preferably in the morning for its digestive benefits. Take curd as buttermilk (churned with water and spices like cumin) for better digestion. Tips: Avoid combining dairy with fruits, especially sour or heating ones. Consume curd during lunch, not at night, for optimal digestion. Focus on simple, compatible combinations to improve digestive health.

11913 answered questions
78% best answers
Accepted response

0 replies

So you’re trying to figure out if curd and papaya mix well, especially when you’re dealing with bloating and acidity, right? Good question. In Ayurveda, the power of proper food combinations can’t be understated, especially if you’re experiencing digestive problems. It’s worth diving into why these two seemingly healthy foods might not always be the best combo.

Papaya is indeed considered “ushna” or hot in nature, which does mean it’s generally good for your digestion. It promotes proper bowel movements and can be quite calming for the stomach when consumed alone. On the flip side, curd or yogurt has a “sheeta” or cooling nature. It’s great for probiotics and often recommended for gut health but is generally not advised during nighttime or for people with Kapha imbalances, as it can increase mucus production.

Eating them together could potentially create a bit of conflict, and from an Ayurvedic standpoint, combining sour and sweet fruits with milk or milk products often leads to digestive confusion. This isn’t to say everyone reacts the same way, but there could be a risk of aggravating “ama” – toxins generated from poor digestion – especially with existing digestive issues like yours.

If you’re fond of both, you might try having them at different times of the day. Maybe a morning helping of papaya to kickstart your digestion (since it’s a good source of fiber and enzymes), and enjoy curd during lunch when digestion is considered strongest, due to natural circadian rhythms.

Also, on mixing foods: Ayurveda warns against pairing milk with bananas, or fruit juices with starchy foods like bread and cereals. While you’re experimenting with your diet, also be aware of your own body’s signals. It’s super valuable!

For dining strategies, consider taking ginger tea before meals to stoke your agni, or digestive fire, and ensure better processing of foods. You can look into the concept of “food sequencing,” by eating lighter foods first and heavier items after in a meal session. It helps a lot with digestion issues. Remember, it’s less about restrictive diets and more about listening to how your body reacts to certain combos.

Hope you find this useful! You might wanna give it a go, see how your body reacts, and adapt. Ayurveda can be about personalization and finding that balance in a way that’s right for you.

1742 answered questions
27% best answers

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

Doctors online

Dr. Anirudh Deshmukh
I am Dr Anurag Sharma, done with BAMS and also PGDHCM from IMS BHU, which honestly shaped a lot of how I approach things now in clinic. Working as a physician and also as an anorectal surgeon, I’ve got around 2 to 3 years of solid experience—tho like, every day still teaches me something new. I mainly focus on anorectal care (like piles, fissure, fistula stuff), plus I work with chronic pain cases too. Pain management is something I feel really invested in—seeing someone walk in barely managing and then leave with actual relief, that hits different. I’m not really the fancy talk type, but I try to keep my patients super informed, not just hand out meds n move on. Each case needs a bit of thinking—some need Ksharasutra or minor para surgical stuff, while others are just lifestyle tweaks and herbal meds. I like mixing the Ayurved principles with modern insights when I can, coz both sides got value really. It’s like—knowing when to go gentle and when to be precise. Right now I’m working hard on getting even better with surgical skills, but also want to help people get to me before surgery's the only option. Had few complicated cases where patience n consistency paid off—no shortcuts but yeah, worth it. The whole point for me is to actually listen first, like proper listen. People talk about symptoms but also say what they feel—and that helps in understanding more than any lab report sometimes. I just want to stay grounded in my work, and keep growing while doing what I can to make someone's pain bit less every day.
0 reviews
Dr. Ayush Varma
I am an Ayurvedic physician with an MD from AIIMS—yeah, the 2008 batch. That time kinda shaped everything for me... learning at that level really forces you to think deeper, not just follow protocol. Now, with 15+ years in this field, I mostly work with chronic stuff—autoimmune issues, gut-related problems, metabolic syndrome... those complex cases where symptoms overlap n patients usually end up confused after years of going in circles. I don’t rush to treat symptoms—I try to dig into what’s actually causing the system to go off-track. I guess that’s where my training really helps, especially when blending classical Ayurveda with updated diagnostics. I did get certified in Panchakarma & Rasayana therapy, which I use quite a lot—especially in cases where tissue-level nourishment or deep detox is needed. Rasayana has this underrated role in post-illness recovery n immune stabilization, which most people miss. I’m pretty active in clinical research too—not a full-time academic or anything, but I’ve contributed to studies on how Ayurveda helps manage diabetes, immunity burnout, stress dysregulation, things like that. It’s been important for me to keep a foot in that evidence-based space—not just because of credibility but because it keeps me from becoming too rigid in practice. I also get invited to speak at wellness events n some integrative health conferences—sharing ideas around patient-centered treatment models or chronic care via Ayurvedic frameworks. I practice full-time at a wellness centre that’s serious about Ayurveda—not just the spa kind—but real, protocol-driven, yet personalised medicine. Most of my patients come to me after trying a lot of other options, which makes trust-building a huge part of what I do every single day.
4.95
20 reviews
Dr. Manjula
I am an Ayurveda practitioner who’s honestly kind of obsessed with understanding what really caused someone’s illness—not just what hurts, but why it started in the first place. I work through Prakruti-Vikruti pareeksha, tongue analysis, lifestyle patterns, digestion history—little things most ppl skip over, but Ayurveda doesn’t. I look at the whole system and how it’s interacting with the world around it. Not just, like, “you have acidity, take this churna.” My main focus is on balancing doshas—Vata, Pitta, Kapha—not in a copy-paste way, but in a very personalized, live-and-evolving format. Because sometimes someone looks like a Pitta imbalance but actually it's their aggravated Vata stirring it up... it’s layered. I use herbal medicine, ahar-vihar (diet + daily routine), lifestyle modifications and also just plain conversations with the patient to bring the mind and body back to a rhythm. When that happens—healing starts showing up, gradually but strongly. I work with chronic conditions, gut imbalances, seasonal allergies, emotional stress patterns, even people who just “don’t feel right” anymore but don’t have a name for it. Prevention is also a huge part of what I do—Ayurveda isn’t just for after you fall sick. Helping someone stay aligned, even when nothing feels urgent, is maybe the most powerful part of this science. My entire practice is rooted in classical Ayurvedic texts—Charaka, Sushruta, Ashtanga Hridayam—and I try to stay true to the system, but I also speak to people where they’re at. That means making the treatments doable in real life. No fancy lists of herbs no one can find. No shloka lectures unless someone wants them. Just real healing using real logic and intuition together. I care about precision in diagnosis. I don’t rush that part. I take time. Because one wrong assumption and you’re treating the shadow, not the source. And that’s what I try to avoid. My goal isn’t temporary relief—it’s to teach the body how to not need constant fixing. When someone walks away lighter, clearer, more in tune with their system—that’s the actual win.
5
103 reviews
Dr. Snehal Vidhate
I am Dr. Snehal Vidhate, born n brought up in Maharashtra—and honestly, for as long as I remember I’ve felt this pull towards Ayurveda. Not the fancy version ppl throw around, but the deep, real kind that actually helps ppl. I did my BAMS from YMT Ayurvedic Medical College in Kharghar. That’s where I got my basics strong—like really studied the shastras, understood prakriti, doshas, the whole deal. Not just crammed theory but started to see how it shows up in real lives. After finishing BAMS, I got into this one-year certificate course at Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth, Delhi—honestly a turning point. I was super lucky to learn Kerala Ayurveda from my Guru, Prof. Dr. G.G. Gangadharan. He’s got this way of seeing things... simple but deep. That time with him taught me more than any textbook ever could. It kinda reshaped how I look at health, healing n how precise Ayurveda can be when you respect its roots. Right now I’m doing my MD in Panchakarma from SDM Ayurveda College, Bangalore. This place is like a hub for serious Ayurveda work. The Panchakarma training here? Super intense. We go deep into detoxification & rasayana therapy—not just theory again, but hands-on. I’m learning to blend classical techniques with today’s clinical demands.. like how to make Vamana or Basti actually doable in modern patient setups. My current practice is really about merging tradition with logic. Whether it’s chronic skin issues, gut problems, stress burnout or hormone stuff—my goal is to get to the root, not just hush the symptoms. I use Panchakarma when needed, but also a lot of ahara-vihara tweaks, medhya herbs, sometimes just slowing ppl down a bit helps. I really believe Ayurveda’s power is in its simplicity when done right. I don’t try to fix ppl—I work *with* them. And honestly, every patient teaches me something back.
5
96 reviews
Dr. Suchin M
I am someone who’s honestly just really drawn to how deep Ayurveda goes—like really deep—not just treating what’s showing on the surface but getting into what’s actually causing it underneath. I really believe that even those complicated lifestyle diseases, stuff like diabetes or BP or obesity that people think they’ll just have to live with forever, can totally be managed with Ayurvedic principles. Not magically or overnight, but through proper diagnosis, diet tweaks, daily habits, and herbs that actually work if you use them right. That’s the part I focus on—making Ayurveda work practically, not just in theory. After finishing my BAMS, I’ve worked with chronic conditions for over a year now in clinical setups. Mostly patients dealing with long-term stuff that doesn’t go away with one pill—usually the kind of disorders rooted in stress, wrong food choices or too much sitting. I’ve seen that if you really listen first, like actually listen—hear their story, feel where they’re coming from—half the work’s already done. Then when you assess their Prakriti, figure out where the doshas are out of balance, and connect that with their history (plus any modern test reports they might bring), it gives you this full picture that’s so valuable. My treatment plans aren't one-size-fits-all. Sometimes it’s about bringing agni back into balance. Sometimes just clearing aam helps. Most people are shocked that things like bloating or even periods issues can shift just by aligning food and herbs with their constitution. And if the case is acute or there’s a red flag, I have no problem referring for emergency allopathic care. Integrative care makes sense—Ayurveda doesn’t have to be isolated from modern medicine. My aim? It's not just to fix a symptom. I want people to feel at ease in their own body again. To build habits they don’t need to break later. To know their own rhythm, not just follow some generic health trend. That’s what Ayurvedic healing means to me... not perfect, but real.
5
16 reviews
Dr. Narendrakumar V Mishra
I am a Consulting Ayurvedic Physician practicing since 1990—feels strange saying “over three decades” sometimes, but yeah, that’s the journey. I’ve spent these years working closely with chronic conditions that don’t always have clear answers in quick fixes. My main work has been around skin disorders, hair fall, scalp issues, and long-standing lifestyle stuff like diabetes, arthritis, and stress that kinda lingers under everything else. When someone walks into my clinic, I don’t jump to treat the problem on the surface. I start by understanding their *prakriti* and *vikriti*—what they’re made of, and what’s currently out of sync. That lets me build treatment plans that actually *fit* their system—not just push a medicine and hope it works. I use a mix of classical formulations, panchakarma if needed, dietary corrections, and slow, practical lifestyle changes. No overnight miracle talk. Just steady support. Hair fall and skin issues often feel cosmetic from outside—but internally? It’s about digestion, stress, liver, hormones... I’ve seen patients try 10+ things before landing in front of me. And sometimes they just need someone to *listen* before throwing herbs at the problem. That’s something I never skip. With arthritis and diabetes too, I take the same root-cause path. I give Ayurvedic medicines, but also work with *dinacharya*, *ahar* rules, and ways to reduce the load modern life puts on the body. We discuss sleep, food timing, mental state, all of it. I’ve also worked a lot with people dealing with high stress—career burnout, anxiety patterns, overthinking—and my approach there includes Ayurvedic counseling, herbal mind support, breathing routines... depends what suits them. My foundation is built on classical *samhitas*, clinical observation, and actual time with patients—not theories alone. My goal has always been simple: to help people feel well—not just for a few weeks, but in a way that actually lasts. Healing that feels like *them*, not just protocol. That’s what I keep aiming for.
5
593 reviews
Dr. Akshay Negi
I am currently pursuing my MD in Panchakarma, and by now I carry 3 yrs of steady clinical experience. Panchakarma for me is not just detox or some fancy retreat thing — it’s the core of how Ayurveda actually works to reset the system. During my journey I’ve handled patients with arthritis flares, chronic back pain, migraine, digestive troubles, hormonal imbalance, even skin and stress-related disorders... and in almost every case Panchakarma gave space for deeper healing than medicines alone. Working hands-on with procedures like Vamana, Virechana, Basti, Nasya, and Raktamokshana gave me a lot of practical insight. It's not just about performing the therapy, but understanding timing, patient strength, diet before and after, and how their mind-body reacts to cleansing. Some respond quick, others struggle with initial discomfort, and that’s where real patient support matters. I learnt to watch closely, adjust small details, and guide them through the whole process safely. My approach is always patient-centric. I don’t believe in pushing the same package to everyone. I first assess prakriti, agni, mental state, lifestyle, then decide what works best. Sometimes full Panchakarma isn’t even needed — simple modifications, herbs, or limited therapy sessions can bring results. And when full shodhana is required, I plan it in detail with proper purvakarma & aftercare, cause that’s what makes outcomes sustainable. The last few years made me more confident not just in procedures but in the philosophy behind them. Panchakarma isn’t a quick fix — it demands patience, discipline, trust. But when done right, it gives relief that lasts, and that’s why I keep refining how I practice it.
5
16 reviews
Dr. Prasad Pentakota
ChatGPT said: I am Dr. P. Prasad, and I’ve been in this field for 20+ years now, working kinda across the board—General Medicine, Neurology, Dermatology, Cardiology—you name it. Didn’t start out thinking I’d end up spanning that wide, but over time, each area sort of pulled me in deeper. And honestly, I like that mix. It lets me look at a patient not just through one lens but a whole system-wide view... makes more sense when treating something that won’t fit neatly in one category. I’ve handled everything from day-to-day stuff like hypertension, diabetes, or skin infections to more serious neuro and cardiac problems. Some cases are quick—diagnose, treat, done. Others take time, repeated check-ins, figuring out what’s really going on beneath those usual symptoms. And that’s where the detail matters. I’m pretty big on thorough diagnosis and patient education—because half the problem is ppl just not knowing what’s happening inside their own body. What’s changed for me over years isn’t just knowledge, it’s how much I lean on listening. If you miss what someone didn’t say, you might also miss their actual illness. And idk, after seeing it play out so many times, I do believe combining updated medical practice with basic empathy really shifts outcomes. Doesn’t have to be complicated... it just has to be consistent. I keep up with research too—new drugs, diagnostics, cross-specialty updates etc., not because it’s trendy, but cuz it’s necessary. Patients come in better read now than ever. You can’t afford to fall behind. The end goal’s the same tho—help them heal right, not just fast. Ethical practice, evidence-based, and sometimes just being there to explain what’s going on. That’s what I stick to.
5
351 reviews
Dr. Rajan soni
I am working in Ayurveda field from some time now, started out as a general physician at Chauhan Ayurveda Hospital in Noida. That place taught me a lot—how to handle different types of patients in OPD, those daily cases like fever, digestion issues, body pain... but also chronic stuff which keeps coming back. After that I moved to Instant Aushadhalya—an online Ayurveda hospital setup. Whole different space. Consultations online ain’t easy at first—no pulse reading, no direct Nadi check—but you learn to ask the right things, look at patient’s tone, habit patterns, timing of symptoms... and yeah it actually works, sometimes even better than in person. Right now I’m working as an Ayurveda consultant at Digvijayam Clinic where I’m focusing more on individualised care. Most ppl come here with stress-related problems, digestion issues, joint pain, that kind of mix. I go by classic diagnosis principles like prakriti analysis, dosha imbalance and all, but also mix in what I learned from modern side—like understanding their lifestyle triggers, screen time, sleep cycles, food gaps n stress patterns. I don’t rush into panchakarma or heavy medicines unless it’s needed... prefer starting with simple herbs, diet change, basic daily routine correction. If things demand, then I go stepwise into Shodhan therapies. My goal is to not just “treat” but to help ppl know what’s happening in their body and why its reacting like that. That awareness kinda becomes half the cure already. Not everything is perfect. Sometimes ppl don’t follow what you say, sometimes results are slow, and yeah that gets to you. But this path feels honest. It’s slow, grounded, and meaningful.
5
30 reviews
Dr. Manasi Gandhi
I am practicing Ayurveda on my own for around 20 years now and honestly, it’s hard to sum up what that feels like in just a line or two. Over these years, I’ve seen health problems change with time — lifestyle disorders becoming more common, stress showing up in ways people don’t even notice until it’s too late, and seasonal illnesses behaving a bit differently than before. My work is all about looking at the root of the problem, not just the part that’s hurting right now. Sometimes that means working with herbal formulations, sometimes with Panchakarma therapies, sometimes just changing how someone eats or sleeps. I’ve treated a mix of acute issues like fever, colds, stomach upsets, and chronic ones like arthritis, diabetes, skin diseases, and digestive troubles. Women’s health has also been a steady part of my practice, whether it’s menstrual irregularities, PCOD, or post-natal care. And I make time for children’s wellness too, especially through immunity-building practices like Suvarnaprashan. I guess what keeps me going is knowing that Ayurveda gives me so many tools to work with — it’s never just one formula for everyone. I like spending time understanding a person’s lifestyle, diet, and emotional state because without that, the treatment feels incomplete. Over two decades, I’ve learned that small, consistent changes can be more powerful than any single “big” remedy, and that’s something I always try to pass on to my patients!!
5
8 reviews
Dr. Anjali Sehrawat
I am Dr. Anjali Sehrawat. Graduated BAMS from National College of Ayurveda & Hospital, Barwala (Hisar) in 2023—and right now I'm doing my residency, learning a lot everyday under senior clinicians who’ve been in the field way longer than me. It’s kind of intense but also really grounding. Like, it makes you pause before assuming anything about a patient. During my UG and clinical rotations, I got good hands-on exposure... not just in diagnosing through Ayurvedic nidan but also understanding where and when Allopathic tools (like lab reports or acute interventions) help fill the gap. I really believe that if you *actually* want to heal someone, you gotta see the whole picture—Ayurveda gives you that depth, but you also need to know when modern input is useful, right? I’m more interested in chronic & lifestyle disorders—stuff like metabolic imbalances, stress-linked issues, digestive problems that linger and slowly pull energy down. I don’t rush into giving churnas or kashayams just bcz the texts say so... I try to see what fits the patient’s prakriti, daily habits, emotional pattern etc. It’s not textbook-perfect every time, but that’s where the real skill grows I guess. I do a lot of thinking abt cause vs symptom—sometimes it's not the problem you see that actually needs solving first. What I care about most is making sure the treatment is safe, ethical, practical, and honest. No overpromising, no pushing meds that don’t fit. And I’m always reading or discussing sth—old Samhitas or recent journals, depends what the case demands. My goal really is to build a practice where people feel seen & understood, not just “managed.” That's where healing actually begins, right?
5
52 reviews

Latest reviews

Daniel
12 hours ago
Thanks for this insightful response! Appreciate the clarity and practical steps you outlined. Feeling more informed and hopeful now!
Thanks for this insightful response! Appreciate the clarity and practical steps you outlined. Feeling more informed and hopeful now!
David
12 hours ago
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction! I hadn’t thought of consulting an Ayurved gyno. Very helpful advice!
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction! I hadn’t thought of consulting an Ayurved gyno. Very helpful advice!
Anna
12 hours ago
Thanks for the clarity! I appreciate the suggestion to see a specialist in person. Feeling a bit more hopeful now.
Thanks for the clarity! I appreciate the suggestion to see a specialist in person. Feeling a bit more hopeful now.
Carter
12 hours ago
Thanks for the advice! Your response helped clear up my confusion and now I have a plan to follow. Really appreciate it!
Thanks for the advice! Your response helped clear up my confusion and now I have a plan to follow. Really appreciate it!