Food Combining

 
 
 

WhAT’S THE DEAL?

Eating isn’t just about counting calories or gaining muscle. It’s also important to prioritize the nutritional value of our meals. Fruit, veggies, healthy carbs and proteins provide energy, strength and support our immune system.

Another important concept with our health is detoxification, where we remove toxins and waste from our body. Otherwise, they can build up over time and lead to conditions more prone to disease. Colonics and coffee enemas, infrared saunas and exercise are great for this and so is proper digestion. Without getting into detail, there’s a big difference how we feel going to the bathroom after a salad compared to say, a greasy burger and fries. The latter can also bring on acid reflux, indigestion and bloating.

Here’s where food combining comes in to play. It’s basically pairing meals to optimize digestion and detox. This is a newer routine that’s really grown on me. I feel lighter, cleaner and more energized afterwards. Keep in mind, depending how far you want to take it, the detailed rules of subgroups (sea vegetables, acid fruits, etc) can become overwhelming so I’ve adopted my own version.

MY APPROACH TO MEALS

  • FRUIT - eat alone on an empty stomach.

  • VEGGIES - pair with everything.

  • PROTEIN - pair only with veggies.

  • STARCHES - pair only with veggies and healthy fats (avocado, olive or coconut oil).

  • NUTS, SEEDS & DRIED FRUIT - pair only with veggies.

  • SUGAR - avoid, this includes most processed foods.

  • WATER - wait 30 minutes after eating so it doesn’t dilute digestive fluids. Hot lemon water and apple cider vinegar afterward also improve digestion.

WHY keep SEPARATE?

The theory is that proteins require acid to digest while starches break down in alkaline environments. When you combine them, the digestive juices can neutralize and throw your body in turmoil. With fruits, some say they digest faster than other food groups so if they lag behind in the digestive process it may cause rotting and fermentation.

OTHER RESOURCES

Disclaimer: Not everyone agrees with the ideas behind food combining and there isn’t definitive research behind it. I’m not a licensed medical professional, the goal here is to bring awareness on how you can improve your health. It’s a short and sweet guide to the basics. For more technical breakdowns, speak to a holistic doctor.