why we should not eat curd at night - #40733
I am really confused about something that's been bothering me. Last week, I was at a family gathering and my cousin said that we should not eat curd at night. Like, I grew up eating curd at all times without even thinking twice about it. But now, after hearing that, I've been kinda worried! I mean, I do my best to keep a balanced diet and always thought that curd is healthy, especially for digestion and all that. But I’ve been having these weird digestive issues lately—sometimes bloating and just feeling heavy, especially when I eat dairy at night. Do you think curd could be linked to that? My aunt mentioned how in Ayurveda they believe that eating curd at night can cause some imbalance or something, making the body sluggish. What does that even mean?? I feel like I really need to understand why we should not eat curd at night because if it's true, that means I need to change my habits! Is it about the properties of curd itself or maybe about how our body processes it differently at night? Any insights would really help me get this clear, thanks!
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Doctors' responses
Your cousin’s advice about avoiding curd at night actually align with Ayurvedic principles. In Ayurveda, curd is considered heavy, and it possess sour and sweet qualities. Consuming it at night can sometimes lead to an increase in Kapha dosha, which might be the culprit behind your symptoms of bloating and heaviness. At night, the body’s digestive fire, or agni, is naturally lower, so heavy foods like curd can be difficult to digest, worsening digestive issues.
The sour quality of curd also has a tendency to produce mucus in the body, which can cause congestion or a feeling of sluggishness — exactly what we want to avoid at night when our activity level drops. In Ayurveda, a balance of doshas is essential for maintaining health, and consuming curd late can upset this balance, particularly for those with already dominant Kapha or Pitta energies.
To avoid these issues, you might want to consider having curd in the daytime when your digestive fire is at its peak and can process the heaviness of curd more effectively. If you enjoy dairy at nighttime, opt for buttermilk or lightly spiced warm milk instead, as they are easier to digest and align better with your body’s needs at night.
If you continue facing discomfort, it may be beneficial to evaluate your entire diet and routine, not just curd. You might also explore incorporating spices like cumin, coriander or fennel in your meals to aid digestion, especially if you consume heavy or dairy-based dishes. As always, listen to your body, and adjust your diet according to its signals — this is one of the key principles in Ayurveda for maintaining optimal health.

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