Food combining made easy
Learning how to properly combine foods the body can break down together may help you not only look better, but FEEL better too!
How does food-combining work? This is a quick overview of how to get started. Learning which foods digest well together and which ones don’t is the first step! For example, since proteins, carbohydrates, and fats all digest in different ways, sometimes they can interfere with each other in the digestive system. This is what causes a gassy, bloated feeling.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Choose a protein or starch for each meal, but not both. Eat proteins first with cooked or raw non-starchy vegetables. Do not eat protein with fruit, grains, and other starchy foods. Although we’re accustomed to digging into the bread basket before our steaks (or legumes, nuts, seeds, etc.), it’s best to eat protein foods first since they require the most digestive enzymes when compared to those needed for plants and starches. When you eat protein-rich foods after starches or other food, your stomach acids will not be sufficient for their digestion.
- Eat fresh fruit alone, preferably on an empty stomach. This is especially true for melons as they digest very quickly. Fresh fruit can generally be paired with raw, leafy greens in salads or smoothies without interfering with digestion.
- If you get hungry between meals, snack on your favorite non-starchy vegetables.
- Wait at least 3 hours before changing categories.
- Try to only eat unprocessed starches and whole grains. Steer clear of refined or processed foods like white sugar, white flour, and margarine.
- Eat when you’re hungry, not at any specific time of the day or at any specific meal time.
DID YOU KNOW?
By properly combining foods you can enhance digestion, reduce bloating, speed up elimination, & balance your pH! Eating foods that combine well in the digestive tract it can even help with optimal nutrient absorption.
Some of the first things people notice are increased energy, better focus, improved sleep, less aches & pains, and a radiant natural beauty! Although it’s cliché, you truly are what you eat.
Eating healthy does not have to be boring! Think outside the box to make sure you get your fruits and veggies!
