Healthytarian Minutes with holistic teacher Evita Ochel. This episode shares 10 examples of some of the worst food combinations, which can prevent optimal health, weight and energy, and create or further aggravate food sensitivities and weak digestion.
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Video transcript:
An often overlooked part of healthy eating is proper food combining, which acknowledges the different enzymes, pH levels and digestion times needed by different foods to become properly digested and absorbed. Here are 10 of the worst food combinations that should be avoided for best health, weight, and energy levels, and those with food sensitivities or weak digestion:
Melons with Any Food — Melons like watermelon, cantaloupe or honeydew do not pair well with any food, including other fruits and should only be eaten alone, on an empty stomach.
Fruits with Dairy — The quick and easy digestion of fruits conflicts with the high animal fat and protein digestion needs of dairy. Dairy also blocks the absorption of antioxidants, which are disease-preventing and health-promoting nutrients found in whole, plant foods, like fruits.
Fruits with Meat or Eggs — The quick and easy digestion of fruits conflicts with the high animal fat and protein digestion needs of meat and eggs.
Acidic foods with Potatoes or Grains— Initially acidic foods, like like citrus fruits, tomatoes or their juices interfere with proper starch digestion.
Avocados with Eggs — Both of these are high fat foods, making for a very high fat and heavy to digest meal. Enjoy the healthy fats of avocados with vegetables and other whole plant foods, and skip the problematic animal fats associated with eggs altogether.
Meat or Eggs with Potatoes or Grains — Animal foods require a highly acidic pH for proper digestion, where as starchy vegetables and grains require an alkaline pH. The high animal fat and protein of meat and eggs also conflicts with the high starch content of potatoes and grains. If you eat any of these foods, it is best to pair them with non-starchy vegetables, like leafy greens, broccoli, asparagus, etc.
Dairy with Any Food — Dairy does not pair well with other foods, and milk from other species is problematic and unnatural for the human body.
Oils with Any Food — Isolated fats are stressful for the human body partly due to their unnaturally concentrated fat content, and interfere with optimal digestion. Eat healthy fats from whole plant foods instead, like nuts, seeds, avocados, coconuts and olives.
Dessert or Sweets with Meals — Whether they come from whole or refined sources, foods rich in simple sugars do not digest properly with other foods. Enjoy wholesome sweet treats in between meals, as snacks.
Drinks with Meals — Sugary, acidic and cold drinks each have their own problems when mixed with foods, and water dilutes the digestive juices needed for proper digestion. Drink ample water in between meals and small amounts before or after meals, if needed.
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