Call To Action- Never Combine These Foods Together

Well, the concept of not combining certain foods dates way back and has been featured in ancient scriptures of Ayurveda and is termed as the concept of “viruddh aahaar” which simply means incompatible foods. It means that the food-food interaction and their hazardous effect on health when taken together. The word viruddha literally means “opposite”. The same concept exists in modern science as well where one or two nutrients in a particular food can block the absorption of nutrients from other food when taken together. This concept is called anti-nutrition. Odd combinations of food can inhibit digestive processes and may lead to fatigue, bloating, stomach ache, nausea, and difficulty to eliminate waste.

List of incompatible food combinations that shouldn’t be eaten together:

• Yogurt and Fruit

Yogurt contains plenty of bacteria that may act on the sugar present in fruits. Consuming dairy with other foods is tricky because our stomachs digest milk products at a different pace than most other foods. The acids in fruits in particular can interfere with the digestion of the dairy might result in toxins, cold, allergies. A yogurt parfait may taste good, but it is better if you actually enjoy these foods separately. You can avoid this problem by using unflavoured yogurt at room temperature and mix in honey, cinnamon or raisins instead of fresh fruits.

• Cereal and juice

The combination of cereal and juice is most common but may leave you with some amount of discomfort, causing heaviness. The acids in citrus fruits like orange juice lower the activity of the enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates. Milk contains casein, and orange juice contains acid. These both together may curdle the dairy and also cause harm to the enzyme present in the starchy cereal. Try to have fruit juice at least an hour before or after the cereals.

• Tea with iron-rich foods

Tannins and oxalates found in tea can inhibit the absorption of iron especially the plant-based iron. These compounds bind with iron and prevent its absorption inside the body. Black tea contains the highest amount of tannins but it is also present in green tea, white tea, and oolong tea. So, avoid eating plant-based iron-rich foods like- nuts, green leafy veggies, whole grains, and beans with tea. Avoid taking tea on an empty stomach too.

• Cruciferous vegetables with iodine-rich foods

Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and contain a compound called glucosinolate that can hinder the absorption of iodine which can further interfere with the functioning of the thyroid gland leading to hypothyroidism or goiter in severe cases. If you suffer from any kind of thyroid-related issues, limit the consumption of cruciferous vegetables. Also, avoid combining them with iodine-rich food sources like fish, dairy products, and fortified salt.

• Un-soaked nuts with calcium-rich foods

Most of the nuts contain a compound in their skin called phytic acid that is considered an anti-nutrient and can diminish the absorption of calcium, iron, and zinc from the diet. Almonds contain phytic acid in the highest quantity. It is also present in peanuts, soybeans, lentils, peas, walnuts, beans, and Brazil nuts. Eating phytic acid-rich foods with meals can lead to mineral deficiency overtime. Overnight soaking or sprouting can effectively diminish phytic acid content and improve mineral absorption.

• Milk and iron-rich foods

Avoid consuming iron-rich foods or iron supplements with calcium-rich sources like dairy. Calcium can reduce the intestinal absorption of iron, so it is a good idea to consume calcium and iron-rich foods separately having enough time gaps in between.

Over to you
We are used to eating food in combinations like milk and curd, fruits in salads, and milk with fruit. But did you know modern science, physiologists, and Ayurveda claim these combinations as harmful? These food combinations often make you feel bloated, heavy and lethargic and should be avoided to taken separately at gaps.