Should you drink milk after eating chicken or mutton? | The Times of India (2024)

As an Ayurveda enthusiast with a deep understanding of the principles and practices of this ancient system of medicine, I can shed light on the intriguing question of whether one can drink milk after consuming chicken or mutton. The article in question discusses the age-old advice from elders and the insights provided by Ayurveda.

The central premise here is the concept of incompatible food combinations, which is a key aspect of Ayurvedic dietary guidelines. Ayurveda, a holistic approach to health, emphasizes the balance of doshas—Vatta, Pitha, and Kapha—as crucial for overall well-being. Now, let's delve into the concepts used in the article:

1. Combining Milk and Meat in Ayurveda: The article suggests that according to Ayurveda, combining milk and meat is considered a wrong combination. This aligns with Ayurvedic principles that highlight the distinct energy and qualities of different foods. In Ayurveda, each food item is classified based on its taste (rasa), energy (virya), and post-digestive effect (vipaka), and combining foods with conflicting qualities can disturb the balance of doshas.

2. Digestive Impact: Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of a specific digestive environment for each type of food to promote optimal absorption of nutrients. The article suggests that combining milk and meat may slow down the digestive process, leading to issues such as gas, bloating, discomfort, stomach ache, nausea, acid reflux, heartburn, and ulcers.

3. Dosha Imbalance: The article mentions that combining milk and meat can lead to an imbalance of doshas (Vatta, Pitha, Kapha), which, according to Ayurveda, is linked to various ailments in the body and skin allergies. Maintaining a harmonious balance of doshas is essential for good health in Ayurvedic philosophy.

4. Recommended Gap between Meat and Milk Consumption: Despite the potential issues, the article suggests a practical solution for those who still wish to include both meat and milk in their diet. It recommends consuming these protein-rich foods with a gap of almost 2-3 hours. This is believed to facilitate better digestion and absorption of nutrients, mitigating the potential adverse effects of combining the two.

In summary, Ayurveda advises against combining milk and meat due to their different energies and potential impacts on digestion and dosha balance. The article provides practical advice for those who choose to include both in their diet, aligning with Ayurvedic principles of mindful eating for optimal health.