Q:

Do I have to completely change my diet to follow Ayurveda? I've heard there are certain foods that I should avoid mixing. Is this true?

A:

Ayurvedic tradition teaches us to not mix certain kinds of foods together in meals. Different foods have different types of enzymes and properties like being cold or hot in nature, and eating them together can lead to gastrointestinal distress as well as accompanying symptoms (flatulence, acid reflux, diarrhea, constipation, etc.).  Dairy should not be mixed with fruits, animal proteins, fish, and sour tastes like pickles.  In addition, it is ideal not to eat cooked foods and raw foods in the same meal, to not eat cold foods after eating ghee, and to not eat dry foods with too much liquid (e.g. dry cereal with milk).  Each of these combinations can hinder digestion and cause imbalance in the body.  Also, be sure to reduce the amount of liquid consumed with your meal to half a cup of warm or room temperature water, as liquid can hinder digestion.

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