why curd and fish is a wrong combination - #43625
I am really confused about my diet lately, especially with this whole curd and fish thing. A few weeks ago, I went to a friend's dinner party, and they served this delicious fish curry. It was super spicy and tangy, and I loved it. But then, they also served yogurt, like a fresh curd raita on the side. I mixed them together a bit, thinking it can't hurt, right? But then I remembered hearing from someone about why curd and fish is a wrong combination. Later that night, I felt all weird and bloated, like my stomach was doing cartwheels. I wasn’t sure if it was just the spices or if it was really that curd and fish combo. Like, is it true that eating curd with fish can mess you up in some super serious way? I really don’t wanna put my body through that again! I’ve looked online, and there’s sooo many different opinions about it. Can someone explain to me why curd and fish is a wrong combination? Do they really clash in digestion or something? I just want to be careful and not keep making this mistake. Any advice?
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Doctors' responses
In Ayurveda, combining curd and fish is often advised against due to their inherently contradictory natures. Fish is considered to be heating (ushna) by nature, whereas curd or yogurt is cooling (shita). When foods of such opposing qualities are consumed together, it can lead to an imbalance in your body’s doshas—specifically, it might disturb your pitta and kapha doshas. This can result in digestive issues like bloating, as you’ve experienced, as well as ama, or toxic build-up.
This combination can also affect agni, or the digestive fire, which plays a crucial role in how your body processes and assimilates nutrients. When agni is impaired, digestion becomes weak, leading to the sensation of heaviness and discomfort in your abdomen. Moreover, the proteins in both curd and fish can be difficult to digest when they’re eaten simultaneously, making your digestive system overworked and resulting in indigestion or gas.
To prevent such discomfort in the future, it’s best to keep a gap of at least 1-2 hours between consuming curd and fish. Focus on incorporating foods into your diet that support your digestion and suit your personal dosha balance. If you’re someone with a pitta or kapha imbalance, it would be especially wise to avoid this combination as these doshas are more prone to be affected. Stick with neutral combinations that are easily digestible and keep your meals as simple as possible. If spice levels appear to be an issue for your digestive system, try reducing spicy ingredients and opt for milder seasonings that are more compatible with your prakriti.
Remember, each individual might react differently due to unique constitutional factors—so, keep listening to your body and respond to its needs. A good practice is to observe what you consume and how it makes you feel afterward. Gradually, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of your body’s signals and learn to make dietary choices that keep you in balance.

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