Cucumber raita or lauki raita; which is better for your health as per Ayurveda? (2024)

ByParmita Uniyal, New Delhi

Not all raitas are healthy for you. As intense heatwave grips the country, here's what a Yoga expert has to say about consumption of curd.

As the sweltering summer heat takes over most parts of India, our bodies may find it hard to adjust to the weather conditions. Indulging in frozen foods and sugary cold drinks may bring temporary relief from heat but cause permanent damage to our health. Experts advise indulging in naturally cooling foods like juicy fruits, hydrating vegetables, kokum, coconut water, barley water, watermelon, curd and buttermilk. It is natural to lose appetite in summer due to intense heat. No wonder we generously add curd to our meals to improve taste and appetite as it makes the food more palatable in hot weather conditions. (Also read | Curd cuisine: 3 irresistible dahi-based Indian curries you must try; recipes inside)

Cucumber raita or lauki raita; which is better for your health as per Ayurveda? (1)

As much as you want to have curd with every meal, Ayurveda doesn't support overconsumption of this nutrient-packed milk product. As per the ancient medicinal practice, curd is hot in nature and heavy to digest, which can affect your well-being in summer if eaten in wrong way. However, if eaten in a right amount and right way, one can benefit from its nutrients like calcium, phosphorous, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin B6.

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Cucumber raita or lauki raita, which one is better for you?

Raitas are summer staple and can be quite refreshing. However, not all curd combinations will bring the desired benefits. As per a Yoga teacher and nutritionist cucumber raita must be avoided in summer and lauki raita must be eaten instead.

"In Ayurveda, the combination of curd (yogurt) and cucumber is generally avoided because, these are mucus producing and when consumed together, they can potentially lead sinus congestion," says Nutritionist and Yoga teacher Juhi Kapoor.

Lauki and curd combination on the other hand is healthy and can support digestion and combat constipation.

Rules to consume curd as per Ayurveda

Kapoor shares other rules of consuming curd as per Ayurveda to avoid harm to the body and maximise benefits.

1. Don't pair it with curd: Avoid pairing curd with fried foods. According to Ayurvedic principles, curd is considered sour and heavy, while fried foods are considered to be heavy and difficult to digest. When combined, they hinder the digestive process.

2. Do not combine it with refined salt or sugar: Avoid pairing curd with refined salt and refined sugar. These refined items will harm the good bacteria present in curd ( probiotic)

3. Avoid taking curd during periods as it increases prostaglandins and may increase cramps, pain and menstrual discomfort.

4. Never pair curd (or dairy) with fruits: Curd is considered heavy and sour while fruits are typically light and sweet. When these contrasting properties are combined, it can potentially disturb the digestive fire or 'agni', leading to the production of toxins or 'ama' in the body.

5. Curd with meat or seafood is not a good combination. Why? When animal meat as protein is combined with dairy protein, then it becomes difficult for the human body to digest them together.

The right way to consume curd

As per Juhi Kapoor, here are some ways you can have curd in a healthy way.

  • Eat with jaggery, black salt or rock sugar.
  • Consume with low fat/less oily foods.
  • Eat with breakfast or lunch.

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Cucumber raita or lauki raita; which is better for your health as per Ayurveda? (2024)

FAQs

Cucumber raita or lauki raita; which is better for your health as per Ayurveda? ›

Cucumber raita or lauki raita, which one is better for you? Raitas are summer staple and can be quite refreshing. However, not all curd combinations will bring the desired benefits. As per a Yoga teacher and nutritionist cucumber raita must be avoided in summer and lauki raita must be eaten instead.

Is lauki raita healthy? ›

Lauki Ka Raita is rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber from both the bottle gourd and yogurt. It aids digestion, provides a cooling effect, and is low in calories.

Is cucumber raita good for health? ›

And, curd that you mix with cucumber has properties that balance cortisol production. Adding cucumber raita to your diet is great because this is a light and healthy food option that not only helps in digestion but light for your stomach and good for your cardiovascular health.

When to eat cucumber as per Ayurveda? ›

Cucumber can be consumed at any time of the day or night as it helps to balance all the three doshas and helps to maintain the water content of the body. If you have weak or poor digestion then you must avoid taking at night because Cucumber seeds are heavy to digest.

Is it safe to eat cucumber with curd? ›

While cucumbers are refreshing and hydrating, they are also high in water content. When combined with curd, which is cooling in nature, the mixture may lead to bloating or indigestion, particularly for those with sensitive digestive systems.

What are the disadvantages of raita? ›

If you like to have onion curd raita, you need to change this habit. This is because as a food item curd is cold in nature, while onions produce heat in the body. The combination of this hot and cold can cause skin allergies like rashes, eczema, psoriasis and other issues.

Does lauki increase sugar? ›

It has negligible amount of glucose and sugar related compounds, which makes it an ideal food for diabetics. Including lauki in your daily diet helps reduce blood sugar levels. Drinking a glass of bottle gourd juice everyday has proved to be highly beneficial for diabetes patients.

Is cucumber raita good as per Ayurveda? ›

"In Ayurveda, the combination of curd (yogurt) and cucumber is generally avoided because, these are mucus producing and when consumed together, they can potentially lead sinus congestion," says Nutritionist and Yoga teacher Juhi Kapoor.

How to eat curd as per Ayurveda? ›

The best time to eat curd is in the morning or the afternoon. Ayurveda recommends consuming curd after lunch and dinner, as it helps in boosting digestion. Eating curd in night can disturb your sleep cycle and lead to various digestive issues.

Can we eat bottle gourd and curd together? ›

It's a good idea to have bottle gourd or 'lauki' as a juice because cooking deactivates the minerals and vitamins found in it. The juice keeps your stomach cool and reduces body heat or 'pitta'. You can also eat boiled lauki with curd to get its cooling benefits.

What organ are cucumbers good for? ›

It also makes sure organs like your heart, lungs, and kidneys work the way they should. The lignans may help prevent osteoporosis, heart disease, and some cancers. Antioxidants such as beta carotene in cucumbers can help fight free radicals in your body, unpaired electrons that damage cells and can lead to disease.

Who should not eat cucumbers? ›

People with kidney problems should not consume too much cucumber as it can increase the water content and potassium in their body, which is harmful to them. People on blood thinners should not consume too much cucumber, as Vitamin K in them can make blood clotting further difficult.

Why not eat cucumber at night? ›

Eating too much cucumber at night may cause indigestion - the high water content of cucumbers may also cause you to get up to urinate, interrupting your sleep. Snap a photo for instant plant ID, gaining quick insights on disease prevention, treatment, toxicity, care, uses, and symbolism, etc.

What should not be mixed with cucumber? ›

Cucumber and tomato are both eaten together in salads. But this is not the right food combination in terms of health. Actually, the way these two are digested is completely different, so eating them together should be avoided.

Can we eat raita at night? ›

According to Ayurveda curd is known to cause Kapha. Kapha is the reason behind mucus generation which is predominant in the night time. So as per Ayurveda, curd should be avoided at night. 'It doesn't apply to everyone and people who are prone to severe cold and cough should avoid eating curd at night.

How many calories in a bowl of lauki raita? ›

lauki raita calories - 1 bowl lauki raita = 65.8cal. new. home and share your experience with us.

Is lauki good for weight loss? ›

Bottle gourd might be a good option for losing weight as it is low in calories and contains mostly water. It is also rich in dietary fibre and contains low fat and cholesterol. These properties may help with weight management. You can add bottle gourd to your regular diet to help you manage weight.

Is raita good for weight loss? ›

Raita is a low energy food with low calorie content. It increases the feeling of fullness and decreases the feeling of hunger and this makes it a perfect aid for weight loss. 5. Stirred curd with fruits and vegetables has a protective role against weight gain.

How healthy is lauki? ›

Lauki has a comprehensive nutritional profile that includes vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which provide numerous benefits for general health. Its high water content promotes hydration, while its low calorie and fat levels make it an excellent choice for weight management.

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