Why You Should Never Eat Milk and Fish Together?

Eating is such a simple act yet it’s one of the most complex concepts. One must know the what, what nots, when, how and how not. Another important thing to know about food is the combinations that don’t go well. One such question is ‘what happens when you eat milk and fish together’?

It’s a common belief that eating fish and milk together then it may cause patches or pigmentations on the skin. But is there any scientific evidence for this common notion? Let’s find what Ayurveda actually says. 

Ayurveda is the 5000-year-old holistic science of healthy living. It lays a detailed account of the role of diet in health. Ayurveda says food is the best medicine and it can be the worst of poisons!

Eating foods in the wrong combinations can wreak havoc in the digestive system.

And the digestive system is the core of every function of the body. It is where food is broken down and toxins are eliminated. If the digestive system is impaired toxins get accumulated in the body. These toxins are said to be Ama in Ayurveda and they are the main cause of any disease in the body. 

Milk and salt, yoghurt and fruits, banana and milk, fish and milk! These are incompatible combinations. 

Also Read: Ayurvedic Doctor’s take on Milk

So, what happens when you eat milk and fish together?

Ancient scripts say that eating milk and fish together is an unhealthy practice. The Vedas explains that milk is vegetarian food and fish is non-vegetarian. Milk has a cooling effect on the body while fish has a heating effect. Combining the two can increase the ‘tamas guna’. This can cause an imbalance of the Vata dosha!

Fish and milk are both rich in proteins. But they require different types of enzymes to break down. Also, the breakdown releases a lot of energy. It can lead to Vata dosha imbalance. This increases the workload on the digestive system and causes an imbalance of energy in the body. 

This can lead to bloating, gas or other digestive issues. 

Eating milk and fish together causes indigestion

Milk is complete nourishment and it consists of many essential nutrients. No doubt it is a boon for your health but it is a heavy meal to digest. Fish too is a protein-rich food which is hard to digest. 

Thus, combining these two heavy foods in a meal can put a lot of stress on the digestive system. This is especially harmful to people with low immunity or weak digestive fire. They are more likely to experience indigestion after this heavy course!

Also Read: Kunjala Kriya – The best way to fire up your digestion

Does eating milk and fish together cause leukoderma?

What is the popular perception? Eating Milk and fish together upsets the ‘tamas guna’. The rise in tamasic energies causes chemical changes in the blood. Certain chemical changes in the blood may lead to leukoderma. But this does not happen to everyone!

According to Ayurveda, every individual has a unique body constituent. So, what may harm one may not harm another. This combination can cause indigestion and indigestion can lead to accumulation of toxins. These toxins may cause some skin diseases in the long run.

Thus, there is no scientific evidence that milk or fish can cause leukoderma. 

Does eating milk and fish together cause allergies?

Ayurvedic Vaidyas, as well as dermatologists, advise people not to combine milk and fish. Skin specialists often recommend people to avoid this combination. Especially if they suffer from pigmentation or rashes.

Eating milk and fish in a combination can lead to severe allergies in some people.

Many people are lactose intolerant and many are allergic to sea-foods. In such cases, combining these heavy meals often results in rashes or other problems. Allergic reactions could also occur due to half cooked or uncooked food. 

Ayurvedic Doctor’s opinion on eating milk and fish together

• Many cuisines across the globe combine milk and fish to prepare delicious meals. 
• An ideal Mediterranean meal combines fish, yoghurt or milk with cereals, fats and nuts. 
• And many people laud that it is one of the healthiest meals.
• No doubt each of the components in this meal is healthy, but eating them in combination may not be the best idea. Also, I would like to quote that food habits vary depending on geography. 
• The weather and topography play a great role in a person’s food habits.
• So, what may work for them may not be healthy for us!

Thus, my advice is simple – ‘stick to your roots’. Eat what your ancestors ate. Because our DNA is pre-programmed to digest our ancestral foods. So, it’s best to avoid eating milk and fish together. There are many other healthy combinations that you can try to make your fish curry delicious. 

Last but not the least, you must never see food as a pleasure. It is a necessity of the body that you must satiate with the healthiest options. Remember it’s not the tongue who needs food it’s your body that requires it!