5 fundamental rules of food combining as per Ayurveda

lifestyle

By Akanksha Agnihotri, Delhi

Updated On Feb 01, 2023 08:45 pm IST

Check out five Ayurvedic food combining guidelines that are intended to promote optimal digestion, support overall health and well-being.

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Updated on Feb 01, 2023 08:45 pm IST

“While Charaka outlined only 18 different types of incompatible combinations. There are innumerable examples that can be identified by using the same principles. It may sound complex and impossible to avoid all these in real life. But you can definitely get started with few basic ground rules,” says, Dr. Varalakshmi, Ayurvedic Doctor and Wellness Coach, in her recent Instagram post. She further shared five fundamental rules of food combining as per Ayurveda. (Unsplash/Anna Pelzer)

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Updated on Feb 01, 2023 08:45 pm IST

Agni rules: Food is the offering to agni inside our body. Above everything, Agni must be honoured. One must avoid eating heavy food when your appetite is low, eating at odd times before the previous meal is digested does the same and eating beyond your capability to digest.(Shutterstock)

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Updated on Feb 01, 2023 08:45 pm IST

Eat fruit alone: Fruit is said to be lighter and gets digested fast. When we combine fruit with other foods. Fruit sits inside our stomach and leads to indigestion. Except for few exceptions, all fruit are said to turn sour during digestion.(Unsplash/Hana Lopez)

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Updated on Feb 01, 2023 08:45 pm IST

Don't mix dairy: Of all the ingredients that doesn't mix well with dairy! Fish, fruit and meat are said to be the top three. Fish and milk combination can lead to skin and allergies while milk with meat can lead to digestive problems. (Pixabay)

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Updated on Feb 01, 2023 08:45 pm IST

Other combinations you must avoid: Eating raw salads with cooked food, drinking hot water after eating meat and drinking cold water after ghee or fatty food.(Unsplash/Farhad Ibrahimzade)

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Updated on Feb 01, 2023 08:45 pm IST

Foods you should never heat: Honey, wine and curd are three foods that aren't compatible with hot substances or application of heat. By nature these three foods are hot in nature and loose their natural qualities.(Unsplash/Conscious Design)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Akanksha Agnihotri

Akanksha Agnihotri is a lifestyle journalist with over 3 years of experience. She is a psychology graduate and holds a postgraduate diploma in Radio and Television Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi, where she graduated as a gold medalist. Originally from Bhopal, the beautiful capital of Madhya Pradesh, she draws inspiration from the city’s rich cultural heritage and layered storytelling traditions that subtly shape her narrative voice. She writes extensively about fashion, beauty, health, relationships, culture, and food, exploring everything from trending styles and runway moments to wellness routines and mindful living. Passionate about meaningful and candid conversations, she enjoys interviewing celebrities, doctors, designers, and film personalities, diving into discussions on fitness, beauty, mental health, and everything fun in between. With a keen eye for trends and a thoughtful understanding of human behaviour, she brings depth, sensitivity, and authenticity to her stories, ensuring they resonate with a wide and diverse audience. When she’s not working, you’ll usually find her lost in a book, planning her next mountain trek, or mapping out spontaneous travel escapes. She loves discovering new authors, revisiting old favourites, and spending quiet afternoons in museums soaking in art, history, and culture. An avid bird-watching enthusiast, she finds joy in early morning walks, spotting rare birds, and reconnecting with nature. Whether sipping coffee while journaling her thoughts or exploring hidden corners of a new city, she constantly seeks inspiration in everyday moments that often turn into compelling story ideas. Read Less ...Read More

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5 fundamental rules of food combining as per Ayurveda

Check out five Ayurvedic food combining guidelines that are intended to promote optimal digestion, support overall health and well-being.

Agni rules: Food is the offering to agni inside our body. Above everything, Agni must be honoured. One must avoid eating heavy food when your appetite is low, eating at odd times before the previous meal is digested does the same and eating beyond your capability to digest.(Shutterstock)

Eat fruit alone: Fruit is said to be lighter and gets digested fast. When we combine fruit with other foods. Fruit sits inside our stomach and leads to indigestion. Except for few exceptions, all fruit are said to turn sour during digestion.(Unsplash/Hana Lopez)

Don't mix dairy: Of all the ingredients that doesn't mix well with dairy! Fish, fruit and meat are said to be the top three. Fish and milk combination can lead to skin and allergies while milk with meat can lead to digestive problems. (Pixabay)

Other combinations you must avoid: Eating raw salads with cooked food, drinking hot water after eating meat and drinking cold water after ghee or fatty food.(Unsplash/Farhad Ibrahimzade)

Foods you should never heat: Honey, wine and curd are three foods that aren't compatible with hot substances or application of heat. By nature these three foods are hot in nature and loose their natural qualities.(Unsplash/Conscious Design)

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