can we eat chicken and curd together - #44431
I am struggling with some food combining rules lately and got really confused about a popular one that says we shouldn’t eat chicken and curd together. Like, I usually have chicken curry paired with some yogurt on the side, which is delish! But after talking to a friend, she mentioned that it’s not good for digestion? I’ve been doing this combo forever, and now I'm nervous! Yesterday I had a pretty spicy chicken dish with a dollop of curd, and now I'm feeling bloated, could it be related? I remember reading somewhere that mixing certain foods can throw off our digestive juices or something? I just want to figure out if I should really stop eating chicken and curd together. Are there any specific reasons that are scientifically grounded as to why we shouldn’t mix chicken with curd? I know Ayurveda basically promotes food pairing, but can we eat chicken and curd together without causing havoc in our stomachs? Should I be keeping them separate or is this just an old wives’ tale? What are your thoughts? Any insights will really help, thanks!
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Doctors' responses
Mixing chicken and curd may not be ideal from an Ayurvedic perspective, mainly due to their contrasting qualities and effects on digestion. Ayurveda, which emphasizes balance and harmony in diet, suggests that food combinations can significantly influence health; incorrect combinations could disrupt digestion and lead to imbalances. Chicken is considered a source of animal protein with heating energy (virya), usually requiring strong digestive fire (agni) for proper assimilation. On other side, curd is cooling, or cold in nature, and can dampen the digestive fire when consumed inappropriately.
Ayurveda speaks of concept of ‘viruddha ahara’ or incompatible foods. Curd mixed with chicken may create a kind of heaviness or unwanted fermentation in digestive tract, leading to bloating or indigestion. This might be why you’re experiencing bloating following consuming this combination. When digestive fire is not strong enough to process both these foods together, it could lead to toxin formation (ama) over time—and impact overall digestion.
To tackle your current digestive discomfort, you might want to consider consuming these ingredients at separate meals to see if it improves your digestion. Try having plain chicken curry with lightly cooked vegetables, and have curd with a pinch of pepper or hing at different meal—preferably as a standalone dish or with something light, like rice or khichdi.
Remember that everyone is different, and what works for one may not work for another. It’s essential consider your dosha and personal constitution when making dietary changes. Also, spice level in your chicken dish could contribute to bloating, especially if excessive or inconsistent with your digestive capacity. Experiment with milder preparations or with the quantity of spice, to see how your body responds.
So, to answer your query, try keeping chicken and curd separate on your plate for a while and observe any differences in how you feel. If any severe discomfort persists, it could be helpful to seek further personalized advice from an Ayurvedic practitioner.

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