Concept of Incompatible Foods in Ayurveda

Ayurveda clearly defines that certain diet and its combinations, which interrupts the metabolism of tissue, which inhibits the process of formation of tissue and which have the opposite property to the tissue are called as Viruddha Anna or incompatible diet.

What is Virudha or incompatible food?

• The food which is wrong in combination

• The food which has undergone wrong processing

• The food which is consumed in incorrect dose

• Consumed in incorrect time of the day

• Consumed in incorrect seasons

Food–food interaction is a serious issue but not much of an alarm. Most of these foods–food interactions are harmless, but it is always better to know about some of them.

In this article I would be explaining the details about the incompatible foods explained in Ayurveda. 

Ayurveda literature has explained 18 types of ‘Virudha Ahara’ or Incompatible foods

1. Desha (place) Viruddha

2. Kala (Seasonal) Viruddha

3. Agni (Digestion) Viruddha

4. Matra (quantity) Viruddha

5. Satmya (wholesome) Viruddha

6. Dosha Viruddha/as per dosha differences

7. Sanskar (mode of preparation) Viruddha

8. Veerya (potency) Viruddha

9. Koshtha Viruddha/Bowel unwholesome

10. Avastha (state of health) Viruddha

11. Krama (sequence) Viruddha

12. Parihara Viruddha

13. Upachara (treatment) Viruddha

14. Paaka (cooking) Viruddha

15. Samyoga (combination) Viruddha

16. Hridaya Viruddha/ not pleasant to heart 

17. Sampad (richness of quality) Viruddha

18. Vidhi (rules for eating) Viruddha

According to the Ayurvedic perspective, each food has a distinct combination of tastes, energy and post digestive effect (Rasa, Virya and Vipaka).  Therefore, combining foods in a wrong way can affect the digestive fire and may cause gas, bloating and formation of toxins in the body. On the other hand, proper combining can enhance digestion and tissue formation. 

Here’s a list of Incompatible foods according to Ayurveda.

1. Fish and Milk – The potency of fish and milk is different (cold and hot potency respectively) and a combination of these two is known to vitiate blood and cause obstruction to channels.

2. Milk and melons – Milk is a laxative and Melons are diuretic, a combination of these two can result in sour belching and acidity.

3. Bananas with Milk, Yoghurt or buttermilk – Combination of these can cause indigestion and produce toxins in the body. 

4. Ghee and Honey – In equal quantities, this combination is considered to be dangerous as poison.

5. Raw and cooked food together is considered incompatible

6. Nightshades like potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes etc. with cheese and yogurt may cause indigestion.

The list is incomplete, still its staple combination used by many people. It’s important to understand that Ayurveda gives prime importance to Agni or digestive fire. It’s said by Acharya Charaka that the root cause of major diseases is improper digestive fire. 

Also, certain rules have to be followed while taking food. This include,

1. Quantity of food - One should take the right quantity of food always, since the quantity is that which maintains proper digestive power. Quantity of food depends on the digestive power of the individual. 

2. Time of eating - Ayurveda advises three meals in a day and the main meal should be lunch which is the Pitta time and digestive fire is maximum. Also, dinner should be taken before sunset, as the sun goes down the digestive fire also goes down.

3. Sequence of consuming food - One should include all the 6 tastes while consuming food. The sweet taste needs to be taken first (like fruits), sour and salty taste in the middle, and bitter, astringent and pungent foods should be taken at the end of the meal.

4. Method of eating food - One should eat at a moderate pace, not too fast or slow. Eating slowly is advised for those who wish to lose weight.