The theory of food combining, also known as "natural hygiene," was developed by Dr. William Hay in the early 1900s. The basic premise is that protein, sugar and starch each need a unique environment in the stomach for proper digestion. If you mix them in a single meal, nothing digests properly and unwanted fermentation may happen in the gastrointestinal tract. This fermentation produces sugar, which allows a yeast called Candida to thrive.Food combining can be done without following a Candida protocol; if you choose to eat fruit, which is not allowed on a standard Candida diet, you must eat it by itself at least 30 minutes before or 60 minutes after eating anything else.
Step 1
Do not combine high protein food and starchy food. According to Dr. Jeremy Kaslow, if you eat animal protein, do not eat potatoes, breads, cereals or sweets in the same meal. Protein requires a much more acidic environment than starch for proper digestion. Remember to choose gluten-free grains on a Candida diet --do not eat wheat, rye or barley.
Step 2
Eat only one type of protein at a meal. Food combining theory suggests that plant protein and animal protein should not be mixed, according to the Whole Approach website. However, the Candida diet is more restrictive and recommends avoiding most sources of plant protein entirely, as beans and most nuts may contain mold.
Step 3
Eat acidic food with proteins. Acidic foods, such as fermented vegetables, which contain probiotic bacteria, should be paired with protein. Both protein and acidic foods require an acidic environment for digestion. If you combine acidic foods with starches, which require a more alkaline environment for digestion, neither will get digested properly. For example, do not eat oatmeal with yogurt or potatoes with sour cream. A lamb gyro with yogurt tzatziki sauce -- without the pita -- is an example of a proper combination.
Step 4
Include vegetables with almost every meal. Vegetables are "neutral" in terms of food combining and may be eaten with either protein or starch. Vegetables give the body important nutrients that help fight Candida by providing fiber that binds with waste in the colon and helps the body remove toxins.
Tips and Warnings
- You may continue to use the principles of food combining even after you wean yourself from the Candida diet.
- This diet can be very restrictive because it requires eliminating many foods and limiting when foods may be eaten. Be careful not to lose too much weight and eat a wide variety of foods to ensure you get all your vitamins and minerals.
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