Proper food combining is based on the principle that different nutrients require specific enzymes for digestion. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes to help break down the foods we consume. By combining similar foods and eating only certain types of foods together, you can ease the burden placed on the pancreas and digestive organs. Proper food combining techniques can also help improve energy, alleviate digestive problems and encourage weight loss.
Step 1
Eat fruits by themselves. Most fruits are very acidic and can interfere with the digestion of other foods. It is best to eat fruits first thing in the morning. Allow 30 minutes to an hour for digestion before eating other types of foods. As with most high water content foods, vegetables also digest quickly and can be eaten alone or with starches and proteins.
Step 2
Eat starchy foods together. Complex carbohydrates--such as bread, cereal, rice and potatoes--fall into this category. They should be consumed alone or with vegetables. For proper food combining, do not eat carbohydrates with protein foods. Allow two to three hours for digestion before consuming another food type. An ideal starchy lunch might be a vegetable wrap on whole wheat, with vinaigrette dressing. A starchy dinner might be a plate of steamed brown rice with sauteed mixed vegetables.
Step 3
Eat proteins together. Additionally, do not combine too many different types of proteins in one meal. Different proteins require specific digestive enzymes. Do not combine meat and cheese, for example. Proteins take anywhere from 4-6 hours to break down in the digestive tract. It is best to allow ample time for digestion before going to bed. A sample protein meal would be baked salmon with steamed vegetables, or a bean and lentil stew with a large green salad.
Step 4
Eat fatty foods such as nuts alone. Fat and oil take the longest amount of time to break down completely in the digestive tract, up to 12 hours. For this reason, it is best to eat nuts and seeds by themselves. It is especially important not to eat nuts with proteins, which also take quite a bit of time to digest. Raw nuts and seeds still retain some natural enzymes and are easier to digest.
Step 5
Eat dairy products alone. Milk is difficult to digest for most adults. Even those who do not experience "lactose intolerance" symptoms may still find dairy products can cause congestion, mucus build-up and weight gain. Pay attention to how you feel when you consume dairy products, either alone, or with a meal. Eliminate dairy altogether if you experience adverse effects. You may also want to try raw cheese and other dairy products if they are available in your area. These retain naturally occurring enzymes that help break down the sugars and proteins in the milk.
Step 6
Avoid desserts. Most desserts violate all the rules of proper food combining. Cakes contain flour, eggs, milk and sugar. This is very taxing on the body and can slow down the digestive process, leading to weight gain. It is best to avoid all desserts when following this or any other diet.
Tips and Warnings
- All food-combining experts agree that digestion begins in the mouth. It is important to chew your food thoroughly, almost to a liquid state for maximum results. Slowing down the eating process also helps you feel fuller faster, thereby requiring less food at mealtimes.
- Although sequential food combining is known to produce excellent results, do not use this method in place of proper medical care. Never discontinue medications or prescribed treatments without consulting your physician.
Things You'll Need
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Whole grain breads, brown rice and other whole grains
- Beans and lentils or other legumes
- Raw nuts and seeds
- Raw dairy products (optional)
- Fresh meats and/or fish (optional)
Member Comments