The Hay Diet is named after the medical doctor who created it in the early 1900s and is also known as food combining. It is based on the premise that certain foods shouldn't be eaten together, and others should, to aid digestion to reduce levels of acidity in the body, says the thefitmap website.
About the Hay Diet
The Hay Diet divides food into three categories, says fitnessvenues.com. Alkali foods help to balance acidity levels and maintain the body's natural alkaline reserves. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the protein and carbohydrate, or starch, categories both form acid during digestion. The Hay Diet suggests three meals a day and strongly recommends that one of these is breakfast. One meal should consist purely of alkaline foods.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables fall into the alkali category, and should form the basis of every meal, says the netfit website. Alkali foods produce very little acid during digestion and the theory of this diet is that maximizing your intake of them will aid digestion and reduce acidity levels in your body. This, in turn, reduces the likelihood of degenerative conditions such as constipation, indigestion and arthritis. Almost all fruits and vegetables fall into the alkali category, with the exception of cranberries, which are highly acidic, and potatoes, which are very starchy.
Proteins
This food category includes meat, game, fish, eggs and cheese, and should not be combined with carbohydrates, says the netfit website. Proteins should only be eaten in small amounts and you should leave four hours between a meal from this group and eating carbohydrates. Milk is included in this category, but should not be consumed with meat, says the Synergy website. Alcohol, such as red and white wine and cider, is included in this category.
Carbohydrates
The carbohydrate, or starch, food group includes grains, bread and all foods containing sugars --including dried fruits such as sultanas, dates and figs -- but not those found in fresh fruit. As with proteins, carbohydrates should be eaten in moderation and you should only include whole wheat, brown grains and rice in your diet. That means no simple, processed carbohydrates and sugars, such as white bread, rice, muffins and cakes. Some alcohol -- ale and beer -- is also included in this category.
Precautions
The Hay Diet doesn't put any restrictions on how much you eat, but your calorie intake is likely to be significantly reduced due to the restrictive food combinations and the waits between meals, says the thefitmap website. It is also worth noting that there is no scientific proof that this diet reduces harmful acids in the body. As with any diet or drastic change to your eating habits, it is important to seek medical advice before you get started on the Hay Diet to ensure it is safe for you.
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