In Ayurveda, fruit is considered one of the most controversial foods. Every dish we eat has different effects after digestion. Wrong combinations can lead to toxin buildup, bloating, and eventually more serious health issues.
Across Ayurvedic sources (from ancient translated texts to modern mobile apps), you’ll find the same advice: don’t combine fruit with other foods, especially dairy and fermented milk products.
“But what about yogurt with strawberries?” you might ask. “Not at all,” comes the answer from Ayurveda. The acids in fruit react with other foods, leading to fermentation, indigestion, and even putrefaction in the gut.
It can be hard to give up certain habits, but here’s another way to look at it: prepare your morning smoothie without yogurt or milk. It’s just as tasty and varied. And if you need more “substance” in the morning, add some grains: lightly steamed oats, rice flakes, muesli, dried fruits with nuts, or granola.
Basic Fruit Smoothie
- 1 small banana
- 1/2 apple
- 1 kiwi
- 2–3 strawberries
Wash, peel, and blend. The banana gives a creamy texture, so it’s better eaten with a spoon. If you prefer a drinkable version, add 75 ml water, apple juice, or ice.
Cherry Detox
- 1 cup pitted cherries (fresh or frozen)
- 100 ml grapefruit juice
- tiny pinch of cayenne pepper
You won’t taste the pepper — it hides behind the cherry aroma and grapefruit’s slight bitterness. A great option for those who dislike overly sweet drinks. Bonus: cherry + grapefruit + cayenne helps detox the body. Blend for 5–10 seconds.
Ginger Spice Smoothie
- 1/2 banana
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 100 ml orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
- 1 tsp honey
- some ice
Blend all ingredients.
Melon + Apricot
- 1 cup melon flesh
- 2 apricots
- 70 ml apricot juice or nectar
- 1/4 tsp grated ginger
Best made in season, when fruits are sweetest. Choose a musky, fragrant melon. Can be made without juice for a fruit purée.
Note: in Ayurveda, melon is not recommended with grains.
Green Machine
- handful spinach leaves
- 1/2 green apple
- 1/4 avocado
- 125 ml pear juice (or white grape juice)
- some ice
Chop everything, blend until smooth. Serve with ice.
Chamomile + Banana
- 1.5 bananas
- 150 ml chilled strong chamomile tea
- 2 tsp maple syrup
The original Martha Stewart recipe included yogurt, but even without it this makes a wonderful breakfast smoothie.
Basic Fruit Smoothie
- 1 small banana
- 1/2 apple
- 1 kiwi
- 2–3 strawberries
Wash, peel, and blend. The banana gives a creamy texture, so it’s better eaten with a spoon. If you prefer a drinkable version, add 75 ml water, apple juice, or ice.
Cherry Detox
- 1 cup pitted cherries (fresh or frozen)
- 100 ml grapefruit juice
- tiny pinch of cayenne pepper
You won’t taste the pepper — it hides behind the cherry aroma and grapefruit’s slight bitterness. A great option for those who dislike overly sweet drinks. Bonus: cherry + grapefruit + cayenne helps detox the body. Blend for 5–10 seconds.
Ginger Spice Smoothie
- 1/2 banana
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 100 ml orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
- 1 tsp honey
- some ice
Blend all ingredients.
Melon + Apricot
- 1 cup melon flesh
- 2 apricots
- 70 ml apricot juice or nectar
- 1/4 tsp grated ginger
Best made in season, when fruits are sweetest. Choose a musky, fragrant melon. Can be made without juice for a fruit purée.
Note: in Ayurveda, melon is not recommended with grains.
Green Machine
- handful spinach leaves
- 1/2 green apple
- 1/4 avocado
- 125 ml pear juice (or white grape juice)
- some ice
Chop everything, blend until smooth. Serve with ice.
Chamomile + Banana
- 1.5 bananas
- 150 ml chilled strong chamomile tea
- 2 tsp maple syrup
The original Martha Stewart recipe included yogurt, but even without it this makes a wonderful breakfast smoothie.
