Food combining
FOOD COMBINING PRINCIPLES
Food Combining is another important principle to improving your digestion, balancing your biochemistry and weight management.
Eating a combination of proteins, fats and starches all at the same meal stresses the digestive system as they each require different enzymes.
Proteins vs. Carbohydrates in Digestion:
Proteins are broken down into chains of amino acids in the stomach by the acidic enzymes hydrochloric
acid and pepsin.
Further breakdown occurs in the small intestine where pancreatic enzymes enter the duodenum to break
them into peptides, which are two or more amino acids linked together.
The nutrients are then absorbed into the blood stream in the next part of the small intestine know as the
jejunum.
Proteins take the longest to digest and be absorbed.
Carbohydrates require different enzymes such as ptyalin, which is more alkaline.
Each enzyme requires either an acid or an alkaline environment.
When acid and alkaline solutions combine, they neutralise each other.
A neutral environment can't digest food.
So, when carbs are eaten with proteins, neither get broken down completely.
Undigested food sits in the digestive system rotting.
This undigested food becomes toxic to the body.
Starch is digested in the small intestine. If it is mixed with proteins in a meal, it sits around in the stomach too long and ferments.
Raw vs. Cook and Processed Foods
• Raw foods have enzymes they bring into the digestive system.
• Cooked and processed foods don't have enzymes.
• This is why eating primarily raw foods is best, though remember to chew them well.
Basic Food Combining Guidelines to follow
When I mention vegetables, I mean non-starchy vegetables, like what you would put in a salad or fibrous vegetables like broccoli, green beans, asparagus and zucchini, not potatoes or French fries.
The first rule is don’t combine proteins and starch. Which means don’t have a burger on a bun with
fries. Eat a large salad with meat about the size of your palm.
A good percentage in a meal would be about 80% vegetables and 20% meat, fish, cheese or eggs.
A good rule to follow is to eat about 80% vegetables and 20% meat, fish, cheese or eggs, or 80%
vegetables and 20% starch or grain, or 80% vegetables and 20% beans, or 80% vegetables and 20% nuts and seeds.
Eat slowly and chew your food well.
Stop eating before you feel full to leave room for digestion.
Healthy fats are best eaten with carbs. A pad of butter from grass fed cows or raw milk on a potato or olive oil on a gluten free pasta could be good. I like Udo’s oil and cold pressed grape seed oil.
Do not mix fruit with other foods, especially melon, which is best eaten alone.
Fruits should not be eaten sooner than 30 minutes before a meal, and not after a meal.
Fruits are digested quickly and, when eaten with other foods that take longer to digest, they sit in the stomach and intestines and begin to ferment. Fermentation produces sugar and alcohol.
Sugar feeds candida.
Alcohol produces gas leading to bloating and damages the liver.
It is also best not to drink liquids while eating as this dilutes stomach acid needed for digestion. If necessary, drink small amounts of liquid, preferably water, or herb tea, but not iced.
Cold water will stop the digestive process immediately; so, room temperature or warm water is better.
Whether at home or when you’re eating out, don’t have a dessert at the end of a meal. Wait a couple hours or more and then have a dessert if you must have one, choosing foods that will be biogenic.
Benefits you’ll experience when you follow food combining principles:
Nutrients are better absorbed and used, since you will digest your food better.
You’ll have less bloating after meals.
You’ll have a healthier digestive system.
Your food choices will be easier.
Your metabolism will function better.
You will have more energy.
Follow these principles and notice improvements in how you feel.
I also offer online muscle testing session where, through muscle testing, I can help you establish what is the best diet for you to follow.
