The theory behind food combining is that starchy foods require alkaline digestive juices to be properly broken down and assimilated, whereas protein foods require acidic digestive juices. Eating the two together neutralizes the digestive juices and carbohydrates and proteins should therefore be consumed separately. John Matsen, N.D., says in his book "Eating Alive" that eating starchy carbohydrates and proteins together slows down the digestive process which leads to fermentation and putrefaction of food, as well as the production of numerous toxins, and subsequent health issues.
Keep Protein Away From Starch
Food combining was originally developed by Dr. William Howard Hay who categorized all foods as either proteins, starches or neutral foods. According to Hay, the neutral foods can be consumed with both protein and with starch foods, without hindering the digestive process. Protein and starch foods on the other hand, should be eaten at least four hours apart from each other. The protein foods include all meat, poultry, beans, fish, eggs and dairy products.
Neutral Foods
The neutral foods include all vegetables, except for the starchy ones -- potatoes, yams, pumpkins, Jerusalem artichokes and all varieties of squash. It also includes all nuts except for peanuts; fats and oils such as butter, cream, egg yolks, olive oil and flaxseed oil; herbs; and water.
Starch Foods
The starchy category of foods includes cereals, bread, rice, corn, wheat, flour of all varieties, and all whole-grains, including rye and millet. It also includes the starchy vegetables -- potatoes, parsnip, peas, yams, Jerusalem artichokes and squash; beer and ale; lentils; and sweet fruits such as raisins, figs, dates, ripe banana, grapes and all overly ripe fruit due to their high sugar content, says Hay.
Consider Eating Your Fruit Alone
Some food combining advocates, such as the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, say fruit should be eaten alone, and advise against combining fruit even with neutral foods. CSNN says fruits should be eaten on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before other foods or three hours after other meals. CSNN says this is an important aspect of food combining because fruits are high in natural sugars but they typically only take 30 minutes to digest, which renders the sugars safe. When you eat them with other foods, the theory is they end up sitting in your stomach too long waiting to be digested, and their sugars can feed unhealthy organisms found naturally in your body, such as candida. A candida overgrowth is associated with numerous health concerns, and avoiding feeding the candida is important for optimal health says CSNN.
Don't Drink With Your Meals
A final food combining principles is avoiding consuming liquids with meals because liquids dilute your digestive juices. Instead, CSNN recommends consuming liquids 30 minutes before a meal, or sipping on small amounts of water during your meal if needed.
References
- "The Gale Encyclopedia of Diets"; Jacqueline L. Longe (editor); 2008
- "Eating Alive"; John Matsen, N.D.; 2008
- "Nutritional Symptomatology: A Handbook for CSNN Students"; Danielle Perrault; 2007
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