can we eat curd and ghee together - #42434
I am really confused about something I've been hearing a lot lately. For a few months now, I've been trying to incorporate more traditional foods into my diet since my digestion has been super off. Butter and ghee have been great, but now I just found out that some people say we should never mix curd and ghee together! Like, really? I love having curd with my meals, and I use ghee for cooking almost everything. It kinda freaks me out thinking I might be messing up my digestion even more. Sometimes I throw in yogurt and ghee in my morning smoothie because I think it might help with digestion, but now I'm wondering, can we eat curd and ghee together? I mean, are there any actual scientific reasons behind this, or is it just one of those myths floating around? I had a friend who swears by pure ghee for everything, but she also thinks mixing them would ruin her health. I just find it confusing like, would it be better to separate them? Or am I overthinking this? Really need some clarity on this before I keep making the same mistake, or maybe it's not a mistake at all? Thanks in advance if anyone can help shed some light on this whole curd and ghee thing.
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Doctors' responses
Incorporating traditional foods like ghee and curd into your diet can be a wise move, yet it’s understandable to have concerns about combining them. In Ayurvedic principles, the compatibility of foods is a vital consideration. According to texts like Charaka Samhita, certain combinations of foods may be incompatible, known in Sanskrit as ‘Viruddha Ahara’. Ghee and curd, specifically, have different properties – ghee is oily and warming, whereas curd, being fermented, is heavy and cooling. When you eat these two together, they may hinder digestion instead of assisting it.
However, that doesn’t mean they can’t both be included in your diet. It’s all about timing and how you include them in your meals. Ideally, enjoy ghee earlier in the day when agni, or the digestive fire, is strongest – in cooking or with warm foods. Curd is best consumed at room temperature, or even mildly warm, and preferably during lunch when the digestive system is more efficient. Mixing them as part of a smoothie can be overwhelming for your digestion, potentially disrupting balance – this might be what your system is reacting to.
Consider exploring alternatives that incorporate one at a time or space consumption apart through your daily meals. Ensure your meals are balanced according to your dosha—Vata, Pitta, or Kapha—as this could give further insights into how your body may be reacting. If curd is aiding digestion, continue during the day in moderate amounts, but try to keep ghee separate in a different dish.
Remember individual constitution matters greatly in Ayurveda. What impacts one may not impact another the same way, so pay close attention to how your body responds. Follow an approach of careful observation. If digestive issues persist, consulting a skilled Ayurvedic practitioner would provide personalized guidance based on your specific prakriti and needs.

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