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Dietician Sheela Seharawat

Curd constitutes an essential part of our diet, especially Indian diet. Also, with the hot season just around the corner, curd is an essential food component that cools down our system, and why not? It is an excellent source of good bacteria and helps in digestion. It is also a very healthy option for peoples who do not take milk. Also because of its high contents of calcium and phosphorous, it is very beneficial for teeth and bone health.

Although with all these goddesses in curd, many advice of avoiding curd at certain time of the day, especially during the nights. According to Ayurveda, certain food and its combinations at certain timings disturbs the normal functioning of our body systems, and so is the case of having curd at night.

Here are some reasons why we should avoid eating cud at night:

Curd, especially sour curd at night aggravates conditions of cold and cough. Also, weak immunity bodies can get cough and cold with body tenderness and inflammation.
Certain studies reveal that eating curd at night causes many health issues like fever, anemia, skin irritations and dizziness.
People with asthma should strictly avoid curd at night as it causes mucus build up, that further instigates the problems. It also have risks of causing blockage in the breathing pipe that can further make situations worse.
Eating curd at night makes you feel overloaded as it is heavier to digest. Often at times it also leads to constipation.
People with problems of clogged nose have problems after consuming curd at night.

Some important does and don’ts of curd that you should adhere to:

Never consume curd that is not set or coagulated. It seriously affects the skin and people with problems of herpes, psoriasis, piles and ulcers.
Curd should never be consumed hot.
People with problems with breathing should strictly avoid having curd at night as it leads to formation of phlegm and as well chest congestions.
Avoid consuming curd directly as much possible. Mix some sugar, salt or jaggery with it before having it.
Avoid consuming sour curd as it causes irritation in the throat and can cause headache and common cold.

Curd diet recommendations for those who cannot do without curd at night:
However, it is advisable to avoid curd at night, but we understand that old habits die hard and especially those ones that has been encouraged since childhood and holds traditional values. Hence, understanding it here are a few alternative recommendations of how to have curd at night if at all you really cannot do without it.

1. Chaach or Butter Milk: considered as a healthy post dinner drink helps in cooling the stomach and replaces the bacteria present in the colon that causes acidity.

2. Fruit Salad: use fresh and plain curd and not sour curd with some fresh fruits like bananas, apples, pomegranates and more and enjoy a healthy curd dessert.

3. Raita: a famous Indian side dish enjoyed with every meal. Varity of vegetables like tomatoes, coriander, onions, cucumber, carrots, pumpkins, chilies and more can be added and eaten as an accompaniment.
4. Curd Rice: convert your curd into a great dinner delicacy with adding rice, salt and pepper. Give it the zing with tadka of green or red chilies and curry leaves.