5 Foods You Should Never Pair With Milk

Milk is one of the most frequently consumed beverages in the world, especially in the younger years of every individual. However, despite being a highly nutritious drink, milk does not pair well with every food item. If you feel bloated or nauseated after adding milk as a part of your meal, this is just the right article for you.

As per studies, foods that are rich in protein, acidic, or spicy are proven to have a negative effect on the digestive system when paired with milk. So, if you consume milk often, you should be well-informed about the harmful pairings. Read this article to understand which foods are not compatible with milk, along with the reasons that can help you make better dietary choices and improve your digestion.

Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, grapes, strawberries, kiwis, etc., contain high acidity levels that can interfere with milk digestion. When these acidic fruits come in contact with milk, they cause the proteins in the milk to curdle. Thus, the chemical reaction can hinder the digestive process, making you feel bloated. So, it is recommended that you keep a minimum of two hours gap between consuming milk and citrus fruits.

Fish

As per Ayurveda, the Indian system of medicine, milk and fish are known to be incompatible combinations due to their contrasting properties. With milk having a cooling effect and fish having heating properties, when consumed together, it can release toxins and cause digestive problems. Also, since both milk and fish are good protein sources, pairing them can overload the digestive system, causing discomfort.

Bananas

Even though the first thing you might think is a banana milkshake, many studies indicate that it’s not the best combination. As per a study published in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine in 2021, the combination of milk and bananas is termed Viruddhahara, meaning incompatible food. Thus, it is not recommended to pair bananas with milk, especially for people with a weaker digestive system.

Spicy Foods

Even though milk can soothe a disturbed stomach after eating spicy foods to some extent, pairing them is not the best idea. Since spices stimulate the production of acid in the stomach, when combined with milk, there’s a risk of acid reflux and indigestion. If you have a sensitive digestive system, try to pair spicy foods with chilled beverages instead.

Meat

Just like fish, pairing meat with milk is often discouraged. Meat and milk are both rich in protein, and when consumed together, they can put a toll on the digestive system. If you want to pair a protein source with milk, you can have leaner sources of protein, like legumes and lentils.