The Ministry of Ayush has taken an important step towards promoting Ayurvedic principles by shedding light on the ancient practice's perspective on incorrect food combinations. The ministry emphasises the importance of mindful eating for overall health by asking the thought-provoking question, "Are you making these mistakes?" Ayurveda, a 5000+-year-old science, emphasises that what we eat has a direct impact on our health. 


Maintaining a balance of dhatus (tissues), doshas, agni (toxin elimination), and a contented mind is essential for optimal health, according to Ayurveda. Food is crucial in achieving and maintaining this delicate balance. Viruddha ahara, or improper food combinations, can disrupt agni, impair digestion, promote ama accumulation, disturb the dhatus, and obstruct the channels of nourishment. Understanding and avoiding such combinations is therefore critical for obtaining adequate nutrition and promoting well-being.


The ministry has highlighted the Ayurvedic perspective on improper food combinations, emphasising the importance of mindful eating for overall well-being. Certain food combinations, according to Ayurveda, should be avoided in order to maintain optimal digestion and balance in the body. Here are some important points to remember about incompatible food combinations:



  1. Milk: Avoid consuming milk with fruits, melons, sour fruits, and bananas. Additionally, it should not be consumed with salty items such as samosa, paratha, or khichadi. Boiling milk with tea is also discouraged.

  2. Grains: Grains should not be consumed together with tapioca and fruits.

  3. Fruits and Milk: It is advised to avoid consuming fruits and milk together. Similarly, fruits should not be combined with vegetables.

  4. Beans: Beans are incompatible with eggs, milk, fish, fruits, yogurt, and meat.

  5. Yogurt: Avoid combining yogurt with cheese, hot drinks, sour fruits, milk, mangoes, nightshades (such as tomatoes and potatoes), beans, eggs, and fish.

  6. Fat and Proteins: Fat and proteins are considered mismatched foods as they require different digestive juices.

  7. Cheese: Cheese should not be paired with eggs, fruits, hot drinks, milk, beans, yogurt, or other dairy products.

  8. Proteins and Starches: Proteins (e.g., meat, poultry) and starches (e.g., bread, potatoes) should not be consumed together as their collective consumption may lead to delayed digestion.

  9. Nightshades: Nightshades such as tomatoes and potatoes are incompatible with fruits like cucumber, melon, and dairy products.

  10. Milk, Yogurt, Tomatoes, and Cucumber: These ingredients are not compatible with lemons and should be avoided together.


Understanding and avoiding these incompatible food combinations can help promote better digestion, prevent the accumulation of toxins, and maintain overall health according to Ayurvedic principles.