- Belief #1: Foods of different categories are digested at different rates. Combining a slow digesting food with a fast digesting food can cause a standstill in your digestive tract.
- Belief #2: Digestion requires many enzymes to break down food, different foods require different enzymes to be broken down and these enzymes require different pH levels. It is believed that if foods require different pH levels, the body cannot properly digest both foods at the same time. In this type of combining, acidic, alkaline, or neutral foods would not be combined.
- Do not combine starches or sugars with proteins or acid fruit.
- Eat fruits and vegetables as most of one’s diet.
- Eat protein, starches, and fats in moderation.
- Only eat whole, unprocessed grains.
- Wait at least 4 to 4-1/2 hours between meals.
Another Food Combining Format suggests a sensible order of digestion
- Water and Juices
- Fruits, Smoothies, Soups
- Vegetables
- Beans and Grains
- Meat, Fish, Poultry
This type of diet can be a bit overwhelming and unmanageable with so many rules, but let’s look at some positive ways that certain food combinations can be beneficial.
- High carb fruits can be combined with high protein like yogurt or almonds could slow down the absorption of glucose into the blood which can be beneficial especially for diabetics.
- Carrots and other high carotenoid-containing foods need fat for the carotenoids to be absorbed so roasting with a healthy fat or eating with olive oil can help with this absorption.
- Foods with high vitamin C content can be combined with iron-rich foods which may help with iron absorption.
Digestion is not as black and white as food combining diets suggest. Digestion happens as soon as food enters your mouth and continues through the stomach, small intestine, and to some extent in the large intestine. Some of the positives from the diet are eating whole, unprocessed foods and adding more fruits and vegetables to the diet. Most Americans don’t come close to consuming the 6 to 9 daily portions of fruits and vegetables. For each of us, becoming more mindful of our eating can be helpful; maybe there are some food combinations that don’t work for you. For me, I have discovered that I cannot have a lot of fluids with my meals; my meals seem to digest better with only about 4 ounces of liquid with a meal. I also have reduced my meat consumption a bit at each meal; between less fluids and less meat much of my indigestion after meals has been eliminated.
We have to remember we are all individuals working on our health. Be mindful of what you eat and get a healthy balance of quality foods throughout the day from each food group. Are there certain foods that don’t work well together for you? Have you tried a food combining diet?
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Heather