Can We Eat Curd With Banana

Question

I’ve been having curd with banana as a snack for years, but I recently heard it might not be healthy. Now I’m confused—can we eat curd with banana, or is it something I should avoid? I always thought it was a good combination because both curd and banana are nutritious, but someone told me Ayurveda says it can create toxins in the body.

For context, I usually mix curd and banana with a bit of honey in the morning. It’s been my go-to breakfast, and I’ve never had any noticeable problems, but now I’m wondering if it could be causing long-term issues. Does Ayurveda say anything specific about why we can’t eat curd with banana? Is it because of their opposing properties, like cold and heavy?

If the combination is bad, what should I replace it with? Would adding spices like cinnamon make the combination less harmful, or is it better to eat them separately? I don’t want to give up curd or banana entirely, but I’d like to know how to enjoy them without messing up my health.

Dr. Harsha Joy · Accepted Answer

In Ayurveda, food combinations are an important aspect of maintaining health, and curd with banana is often considered a combination that can disrupt digestion for certain people. The reasoning behind this recommendation has to do with the contrasting qualities of curd (yogurt) and banana.

Curd is considered cold, heavy, and moist in nature, while bananas are also heavy but have a slightly cooling effect. When combined, these foods can create a kapha imbalance due to their heaviness and coldness, which may lead to sluggish digestion, gas, or the formation of toxins (or ama) in the body over time. This combination can also be difficult to digest for some people, especially if they have a weak or slow digestion.

That said, if you've been eating this combination for years and haven’t experienced any noticeable issues, it might not be a significant problem for you personally. Ayurveda emphasizes that food combinations should be adapted to the individual’s constitution (dosha), digestion, and overall health.

If you'd like to continue enjoying both curd and banana but avoid any potential digestive disturbances, consider eating them separately. You can have curd at one time (perhaps with spices like ginger or cumin to enhance digestion) and enjoy banana at another time, such as as a snack or in smoothies.

Adding spices like cinnamon may help to balance the coldness of the combination, but it may not entirely mitigate the heaviness when consumed together. To optimize digestion, Ayurveda would typically suggest lighter, easier-to-digest combinations. For example, mixing curd with fruits like berries or apples might be a more harmonious choice, as they are lighter and more compatible with curd’s nature.

In summary, Ayurveda doesn’t necessarily say you can never eat curd with banana, but for optimal digestion and long-term health, it’s often advised to consume them separately or choose other combinations. If you’re looking for a simple change, enjoy them at different times of the day or adjust the combination to suit your digestion and personal constitution.

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