Ayurveda definitely has some unique perspectives on food combinations, and mixing milk with fruits is one area it touches on quite a bit. In Ayurvedic tradition, milk is seen as a sort of sattvic food, pure and nourishing - while fruits have their unique properties, usually a bit light and sometimes acidic, depending on the type. The two can often clash in terms of how they’re digested, which might explain why you sometimes feel bloated or heavy after your smoothies.
Now, about mixing milk with bananas or strawberries specifically - bananas are actually considered one of the worst fruits to combine with milk in Ayurvedic practices. This combo can cause a sort of fermenting in the digestive system, slowing down digestion and leading to that heavy feeling you described. It can even imbalance your kapha dosha, which might not be ideal depending on your personal constitution. Strawberries with milk also aren’t traditionally recommended because they can curdle the milk, which ain’t great for your stomach.
That being said, not all fruits are completely off-limits. Sometimes, sweet, naturally dry fruits like dates or figs are considered safer to mix with milk, because they’re a bit more congruous in terms of texture and sweetness - and they’re even recommended if you want a sweeter, nourishing drink. But, if you’re feeling adventurous, using almond or other plant based milk with your fruits can be less troublesome for digestion.
Timing matters too - morning isn’t the worst when your digestive fire is just picking up, but night time would make the heaviness worse. If smoothies are your jam, it could be worth experimenting with new bases. Maybe trying a nut milk base with fruits or drinking warm milk separately as a soothing beverage could bring you heftier benefits.



