The modern Indian plate has changed quietly but profoundly. Cheese slices melt into everyday sandwiches, mayonnaise slips into rolls and burgers, and packaged foods often replace home-cooked meals when
time feels short. While these foods offer convenience and comfort, Ayurveda views them through a very different lens. As Dr Partap Chauhan, Founder and Director, Jiva Ayurveda, world-renowned Ayurveda acharya and author explains, “Food does not merely fill the stomach, it continuously interacts with agni, the digestive fire that governs metabolism, absorption, and overall energy.” When agni is disturbed, the impact is rarely immediate; instead, it builds slowly and often goes unnoticed.
Understanding Agni Beyond Calories
Agni is not just about how quickly food is digested. It reflects how efficiently the body transforms food into nourishment. “When agni is balanced, appetite is steady, digestion feels light, and metabolism remains responsive,” says Dr Chauhan. When agni weakens, digestion slows, toxins known as ama begin to accumulate, and even nutritious food may fail to nourish the body properly. This is where food quality and combinations matter as much as quantity.
Cheese and Heavy Dairy Through an Ayurvedic View
Cheese is dense, heavy, and oily in nature. Ayurveda classifies such foods as guru, meaning they require strong digestive capacity. “Frequent consumption of cheese, especially in the evening or alongside refined flour, places unnecessary strain on agni,” notes Dr. Partap Chauhan.
Subtle signs may appear, heaviness after meals, sluggish mornings, or an irregular appetite. Over time, this constant digestive effort can dull metabolic efficiency. However, this does not mean dairy is harmful by default. “Traditional forms like fresh curd or buttermilk, when consumed correctly, behave very differently in the body,” adds Dr. Chauhan.
Mayonnaise and Processed Fats
Mayonnaise is a modern food with no traditional digestive reference in Ayurveda. It combines refined oils, eggs, and additives that agni struggles to recognise. According to Dr. Partap Chauhan, “Such foods confuse digestion. The body cannot process them smoothly, leading to the formation of ama.”
Processed fats also tend to bypass natural hunger cues. You may feel full but not truly satisfied, a pattern that gradually disrupts metabolism and can influence weight gain, skin health, and gut comfort.
Processed Foods and Metabolic Noise
Packaged foods are engineered for shelf life, not digestive harmony. They are often dry, stale in energy, and chemically complex. “Freshness is vital for maintaining strong agni,” emphasises Dr. Partap Chauhan.
Common effects include:
Reduced digestive clarity
Fluctuating energy levels
Increased cravings despite eating enough
Restoring Balance Without Extremes
Rather than rigid avoidance, Dr Chauhan advocates awareness. “The goal is not elimination, but moderation and mindfulness,” he says. Eating freshly prepared meals, respecting natural hunger cues, and keeping heavy or processed foods occasional allows agni to recover naturally. When digestion feels supported, metabolism follows slowly and steadily, just as Ayurveda intends.
