That’s a good question and one that often comes up in Ayurveda. You’re not alone in wondering about this combo! According to Ayurveda, certain food combinations, known as “viruddha ahara,” can create imbalances in the body or interfere with digestive processes. Fish and curd together are usually considered an incompatible combination in traditional texts like Charaka Samhita. The base reason is their differing digestive properties. Curd is heavy and tends to produce heat and moisture, while fish is also heating but predominantly seen as moist. Both are rich and can burden the digestive system when eaten together, leading to ‘ama’ — the term for toxins.
These “toxic reactions” don’t mean there’s an instant adverse effect. It’s more subtle, affecting people over longer periods. Symptoms could include indigestion, skin issues or worsen conditions like eczema, which might be why you’ve heard of such issues. Although allergic reactions are complex and vary per individual, Ayurveda says it could aggravate allergic tendencies in some folks.
Preparation indeed could make a difference. If the fish is light, like grilled with minimal spices, and the curd is plain and not too sour, it’s less likely to create problems because the digestive burden is reduced. But Ayurveda suggests that fundamentally the combination is still not really aligned with ideal disharmony.
And adding spices, like cumin or turmeric, to the curd, while it helps digestion to some extent overall, isn’t claimed to neutralize all the negative effects of combining fish and curd.
One thing to remember is that Ayurveda places importance on individuality — each person’s digestion is different. So, some people might handle this combination better than others. If you decide to try it, pay close attention to how your body reacts.
It’s best to be cautious, but moderation is the key if you still enjoy this combo occasionally. If you’ve noticed discomfort after eating fish and curd together, it might be worth considering alternatives or adjustments that align better with Ayurveda’s wisdom. If skin or digestive issues persist or worsen, maybe consulting an Ayurvedic practitioner for a personalized approach would be helpful!
