One of the most common food combinations that you might have been advised by your fitness trainers is the combination of meat/protein, carbs, fats, and fibers. Some of the meals are very common and comforting in nature, which you either started consuming because everyone rooted for it to be “healthy” or something that you find yourself and everyone in your family for a very long time, they are easy and habitual combinations now. For example, meat and potatoes, cheese and bread, milk and cereals (the most popular), fish and rice (hello to all the Bengalis reading this. P.S. This is not a personal attack), etc.
Now, what if we tell you that almost all of these and many more combinations you have been consuming are absolutely destructive for your body and are stealing away your energy? You would probably roll over your eyes, letting out a big sigh and thinking to yourself “here goes another theory”. We know you very well, but common, give us a chance, hear us out. If not for us then for the sake of the science behind it.
When a medical doctor named Steven Smith celebrated his one-hundredth birthday and was asked his secret to longer living, he replied, “ Take care of your stomach the first fifty years, and it will take care of you for the next fifty”.
The Basics
A mere common sense behind these foods being destructive when combined over a period of time is that different foods are digested differently. Starchy foods or carbs ( rice, bread, potatoes, etc) need an alkaline digestive medium. Enzyme ptyalin supplies this initially in the mouth. Protein-rich foods ( meat, dairy, nuts, seeds, etc) need an acidic medium for digestion (hydrochloric acid & pepsin).
Now if you paid attention in your chemistry class and claim to have a sharp memory, you would know that one of the basic laws of chemistry is that two contrary mediums (acid & alkali) cannot be put to work at the same time. They neutralize each other. If you consume a protein with starch, it would result in impaired digestion. Undigested food becomes ground for bacteria, which then ferment and decompose it, causing digestive disorders or gas.
Who wants to walk around the whole day with an unhappy tummy? Believe it or not, you volunteered for it over the years.
Condensed food theory.
People make food combining sound as complicated as a relationship status. Though it can come down to really simple rules. An easy way to go about it is to consume only one condensed food at each meal. Now, what’s condensed food you ask? Condensed food is simply any food that is not rich in water. For example, a meat patty is a condensed food, whereas cucumber is a water-rich food. This might get very difficult for some people who just don’t want to get over their condensed food consumption. What you can do is, do not combine your protein and carbs in one meal. That is if you are having some kind of a meat or dairy product in your meal, don’t add potatoes or bread to it and vice-versa. This is very easily customizable even if you are out to eat. Have one condensed food and add on a portion of veggies to replace the second condensed food in your meal.
Steps to right food combining:
- 70% of your meals should be made of water-rich foods ( sprouts, vegetables, fruits) instead of flooding your body with gallons of water.
- Instead of drinking juices right out of cans or glass containers, make your own juices or have the fruits originally.
- Consume your fruits always on an empty stomach and not with or after meals. Fruits are digested in the small intestine and not the stomach. Fruits are meant to go directly through the stomach to the intestines where it releases sugars, but if there is already food in your stomach it gets trapped and ferments.
- Have one condensed food at a time.
- Don’t drink liquids immediately after meals.
There are several theories when it comes to food. If these scientific reasons convince you, then it is for your own good. Give these methods a try, check with your body, and observe any changes. You can also refer to Dr. Herbert Shelton’s Food Combining Made Easy and the book Fit for Life, by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond if you are curious enough to know more about this subject.
We at BBETTER just wish to be your medium towards a lifestyle that serves you by making the right choices.Towards the end, YOU make the decisions. The decisions you make will be responsible for the longevity and vitality of your life. Nobody knows your body better than you.
Happy Eating and Longer Living!
