To beat the heat, we often indulge in eating dahi, which acts as a coolant in our bodies. We either top it with certain fruits and consume it as fruit salad or have it with hot parathas, raita, sweet lassi, chaas, curd rice, or Dahi Vada. However, these pairings can be hazardous to our health, causing imbalances in the body.
Dahi is prepared by the fermentation of milk by a bacterial culture called Lactobacillus delbrueckii. The bacterial fermentation produced lactic acid, which gives curd a thick texture. Dahi is considered a staple in Indian households and is packed with phosphorous, calcium, vitamin B-2, vitamin B-12, magnesium, and potassium. The probiotic present in curd or dahi helps in the proper functioning of the digestive system.
Clubbing dahi with certain foods can lead to issues such as acidity, bloating, and bowel-related problems and can negatively impact our digestive system. According to Ayurveda, dahi is sour in taste, and hard to digest. Besides, Ayurveda terms food pairings that do not go together "viruddha ahara." It is due to the disturbances caused by the opposite qualities of the two foods. When such foods are consumed together, they result in doshas in the body, causing imbalances like "agni, poor digestion, ama accumulation, vitiation of dhatus, and channel obstruction."
We have made a list of foods that shouldn’t be paired with dahi. Take a look:
- Milk And Dahi
For ages, we have been pairing milk and dahi together to make smoothies or any other related dish. However, milk shouldn’t be paired with any fermented product like curd, as it causes infections like diarrhoea, bloating, acidity, and gas.
- Gud And Dahi
Gud, or jaggery, is considered a natural sweetener and an excellent sugar substitute. Many people add it to their daily meals to make it nutrient-rich. However, when you pair gud with dahi, it may lead to weight gain. Besides, gud is hot in nature and is known to produce heat in the body that provides instant energy, while dahi works as a coolant and keeps the body cool. When one combines these two, it might cause imbalances in the body that may lead to coughing, colds, and fevers.
- Chai And Dahi
Chai and dahi make a deadly combination. Chai and dahi are both acidic in nature and may harm the digestion process. Pairing dahi and other dahi-based dishes with chai may cause stomach upset.
- Mango And Dahi
If you’re adding dahi to your mango shake, then you must stop it immediately. Dahi contains animal protein, which, when combined with fruits, leads to fermentation in the body. This may cause indigestion, acidity, or other such problems in the body.
- Onions And Curd
Onions are often added to raita to make it taste better and crunchier. However, these two can cause imbalances in the body. Raita made of dahi is cold in nature, while onions are known for producing heat in the body. The combination of heat and cold in the body can cause dysfunction of the hypothalamus which can cause the body to temporarily become overheated or chilled. The reaction can cause rashes, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin allergies.
- Fish And Dahi
Fish and dahi are both animal products and protein-rich foods. According to Ayurveda, it is advisable to avoid the consumption of multiple protein-rich foods at the same time, as it can lead to indigestion and skin issues. Besides, high protein meals can cause dehydration and put a lot of strain on the kidneys.
- Paratha And Dahi
Although paratha and dahi seem to be a match made in heaven, this is deadly for our health. Paratha or any fried food loaded with oil shouldn’t be paired with dahi as it might slow down the process of digestion, making you feel lethargic.