Fruits and vegetables are important elements of our diet. They are nutrient-dense and can help to prevent several kinds of health issues. But to gain maximum health benefits from these natural products, it is important to have them correctly and at the correct time.

There is an old Ayurvedic proverb which says “fruits should either be eaten alone or should be left alone.” The ancient Indian system of medicine does not recommend pairing fruits with any other food items like dairy, vegetables or meat. But why so? To understand it, we spoke to Dr Deepa Apte, an Ayurvedic Doctor to know more.

Why you should have fruits on its own
Dr Apte says that pairing fruits with any other food item like dairy or vegetables can lead to the formation of toxins in the body, which is known as ama. This happens when fruits are not digested properly and the nutrients are not absorbed by the body. The presence of excess ama in the body can lead to illness and other health-related conditions.

Why you should never cook fruits

As you all must have noticed that fruits are vibrant in colour and they get their bright colour from sunlight, which helps them to grow. The bright colours represent fire-related energy. When eaten raw, fruits stimulate the digestive fire, making your stomach stronger. This helps you lead a long and happy life.

When to have fruits
What is the right time to eat fruits? This is the most common concern of most people. As per Dr Apte, you can have fruits in place of snacks between your meal. She says that when we feel hungry between meals, it generally indicates that we are lacking some vitamins and minerals. So, having some fruit during that time can overcome these deficiencies and nourish your body. So have your fruit at 11 am or 4 pm.

Having fruits around mealtime
The Doctor advises refraining from having fruits around mealtime. That is because having veggies and fruits together confuses our digestive system and they cannot digest both. If you are having fruits around mealtime then wait for 30 to 40 minutes to eat your food.

Avoid having fruits with dairy items

Having fruit with dairy items like milk and yoghurt can be harmful to your skin. It may lead to several skin conditions like acne, psoriasis and eczema.