23 Feb 2024 - News

Food Combinations for Better Health

Understanding the dynamics of food combinations is key in pursuit of optimal health and digestion. Nowadays, it’s all about grasping how different foods combine during digestion for better outcomes. By so doing, you can optimize your digestion process. Some types when eaten together may make it difficult to digest the meal thus leading to discomfort and reduced nutritional value.

This piece highlights some of the best food combinations you should minimize or avoid for a healthier life.

Food pairing science

Eating does not only mean filling up the stomach; it is all about getting necessary nutrients to your body. The scientific approach on diet advises on what type of food works well with which other kind that one eats in a day since not all foods behave similar while inside our system. These combinations might slow down digestion resulting to fermentation or putrefaction within gastrointestinal tract leading to bloating, gas as well as discomfort.

Timing Matters: Tips on Hydration During Meals

Digestive acids could be diluted by drinking water or other fluids alongside meals, thereby affecting how efficient the digestive processes are taking place. Instead of hydrating yourself during meals, you are advised to do so in between them so that your digestive system will work as effectively as possible.

Improved Digestion Combinations to Avert

- Cereal with Milk and Orange Juice: When acidic juices are consumed alongside dairy products, they tend to curdle milk in the stomach, making it difficult for it to be digested properly.

- Fruits with Meals: Fruits being easily digestible than any other foodstuff may ferment, hence causing flatulence and indigestion if taken along with meals or immediately after eating.

- Protein and Starch: Proteins have different rates of digestion compared with starches, hence different enzymes are needed in their breakdown that would result into possible digestive conflicts. Although steak and potatoes constitute a delicious combination, they tend to feel heavy on your stomach once ingested together.

- Dairy and Fruit: This combination interferes with digestion, causing fermentation, gas, and bloating to occur. Digestion of dairy products takes a long time, while fruits are digested quickly.

- Beans and Cheese: When these two high protein foods are eaten together, this may be especially challenging for the digestive process, resulting in possible flatulence and distension.

Nutritional Synergy Suggested Combinations

- Vegetables and Proteins: Pairing lean proteins with non-starchy vegetables like chicken and green leafy ones can enhance digestion and nutrient absorption.

- Fruits on an Empty Stomach: Eating fruits alone or 30 minutes before meal ensures that they are efficiently digested leading to proper nutrient uptake.

- Grains with Vegetables: Brown rice or quinoa combined with some veggies gives you a simple plant-based meal that is high in fiber yet easy on the stomach.

- Legumes with Greens: A dish containing beans or lentils as well as greens is a dense source of nutrients that can be easily taken in, which allows for the presence of enough fiber without excessive intake of protein.

- Nuts and Seeds with Yogurt: In case you have no allergic reactions to dairy products, yoghurt mixed with nuts would ensure better absorption of vitamins soluble in fats as well as some protein supplement.

Through choosing food combinations that fall into these guidelines consciously, one can improve their digestive health and overall wellness significantly.

However remember your body is unique; therefore observing how different combinations work best for you is very important if you want to make your diet healthier.

Christianne Madrazo. Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, graduate of Mount Madonna Institute, College of Ayurveda in California, and student of Dr. Vasant Lad, one of the world’s foremost experts in Ayurveda.

AyurVida Wellness and Clinic is located in Mission Hills, San Diego, CA.

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