thanksgiving_cornucopia-public-domaiinThe Basics of Food Combining Principles Made Easy:

Food combining is the principle of what foods to eat together. It’s an important concept that has been long overlooked in our modern world of diet fads and processed foods.

For enhanced digestion, proper assimilation of nutrients and optimal health it’s best to combine the foods you eat properly.

At the heart of this principle are two factors worth noting.

  1. If you eat high quality whole foods, but combine them improperly your stomach will not digest the foods properly resulting in fermentation and growth of unwanted “bad” bacteria. Generally this scenario of fermentation, poor digestion and assimilation of nutrients and an unhealthy intestinal environment is true with any poor food combining habit.
  2. Undigested food particles results in an unhealthy gut environment in which you become a host for parasites and other unwanted conditions like leaky gut syndrome which can lead to allergies, chronic skin rash, food sensitivities, intolerances and immune deficiency.

Health Benefits of Food Combining include:

  • Increased energy production and reserves. Your energy levels and mood remain constant throughout your day.
  • Improved sleep.
  • Food combining principles guide you to make healthy food choices. You’ll know what to eat with what for best digestion and to promote all around good health.
  • Feel better and have less bloating, gas and intestinal discomfort.
  • Lose weight. When you properly combine your food you will never be overweight, or have food cravings. Your body will more rapidly metabolize your food. With improved digestion your body will naturally begin to burn fat better.

The Basics of Food Combining Principles Made Easy:

  • Eat Fruit Alone on an Empty Stomach, 30 minutes before a meal or 3 hours after. The only exception to this principle is lemon or lime which when squeezed onto Animal Protein aids digestion. Lemons and limes are acidic and have very little sugar content and help break down fat.
  • Eat Animal Protein (turkey, fish, beef, etc.) with Non-starchy (broccoli, carrots, cabbage, kale, etc.) and Ocean Vegetables (nori, hijiki, etc.).
  • Eat Non-starchy (broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, spinach, etc.) and Ocean Vegetables (nori, hijiki, etc) with Starchy Vegetables (potatoes, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, etc.) and Grains (millet, rice, quinoa, etc.).
  • Eat Animal Protein (turkey, fish, beef, etc.) with small amounts of Fats (virgin olive oil, coconut oil, butter, etc.). Cold pressed, raw and organic oils are best.
  • Eat Protein Fats (dairy, nuts and seeds) with Acid Fruits (lemon & lime), Non-starchy (broccoli, cabbage, green beans, kale, etc.) and Ocean Vegetables (nori, hijiki, etc.). Nuts and seeds are easier to digest if sprouted.
  • DO NOT EAT Animal Protein (fish, turkey, beef, etc.) and Starchy Vegetables (potatoes, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, etc.) and Grains (rice, millet, quinoa, etc.) together.
  • Sugar does not combine with any other food. Try sugar free substitutes like stevia to sweeten beverages or Lakanto for your baking needs. Lakanto is safe for diabetics.

Digestive Enzymes – As a stop gap if you do occasionally eat improperly combined foods take a digestive enzyme preferably at the start of your meal. Plant based, full spectrum enzymes are the most potent for stimulating proper digestion and assimilation of nutrients.

For more detailed information and guidance about food combining check out Harvey Diamond’s Fit for Lifeand Food Combining Bible: Your Complete Guide to Using the Hay Diet for Digestive Health and a Balanced Approach to Weight Lossby Jan Dries.

NEED HELP sorting out your best diet and lifestyle choices to support optimal health for you. Contact me for a Private one-on-one Integrative Health Coaching Session.

CLICK HERE to find out more and Book a Private Session with me!.

Was this article helpful to you? Please leave your comments.

Thanks for joining us!

Until next time…enjoy your life,

-KG

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Please know I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to you, my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”