Guest guest Posted June 22, 2007 Report Share Posted June 22, 2007 What is a Food Combining Chart? The human digestive system is really very simple, despite its seemingly complex function. Truthfully, had things been left untampered with as nature intended, food combinations probably wouldn't even exist. However, going back to that simplicity of eating one kind of fresh organic fruit, when in season as a meal is very difficult in our complicated world, hence the need for proper food combining principles. These 'principles' or guidelines, that are usually evident in a food combining chart for optimal digestion, show which foods combine best and worst to improve your health. When you really assess what we consume on a daily basis, it becomes apparent that proteins, starches, vegetables, fruits and fats are the primary foods that we eat. All of these foods require different enzymes for digestion. The stomach cannot separate foods that require different enzymes for digestion. Food winds up in one big ball with enzymes flying around trying to attach themselves to the right molecules. We get stomach aches, gas, hiatal hernias, reflux, acid conditions, constipation, diarrhea and so many illnesses from improper food combinations. The culprits here are the by-products of incomplete digestion in the small intestine and colon that turn into gases, then are transported through the intestinal walls into the bloodstream and auto- intoxicate the entire system. Food combining is essential in the restoration of health. When proper food combining is not followed, the system will not detoxify. You will remain in an acid state and disease will prevail. Therefore, simplicity of a meal should be the goal when eating for health. This includes first and foremost, proper food combining principles, consuming the right quantity at a time and eating only when truly hungry. These factors considered, here are some basic rules and components of proper food combining to make your own self-made chart. Using A Food Combining Chart: Classification of Foods Items (when eating for health) can be classified as follows. -Fruit: 1. Sweet Fruits: Tropical fruits, Bananas, Papaya, Figs, Persimmon, Dates, Dried fruits 2. Acid Fruit: Citrus, (orange, grapefruit) Lime, Lemon, Tomatoes, Pomegranates, Berries, (Strawberries, Blackberries, Raspberries), Pineapples 3. Sub-Acid Fruit: Apples, Pears, Grapes, Plums, Cherries, Apricots, Nectarines, Mangos, Peach, Loquat 4. Melons: Cantaloupe, Honey-Dew, Water Melon etc 5. Fatty: Avocadoes, Olives, Young coconuts -Nuts and Seeds Non-Starchy Foods: Green leaves, Carrots, Fruit Vegetables e.g. Cucumber, Bell Peppers, Zucchini Starchy Foods: Potatoes, Yams, Winter Squash, Cooked Root Vegetables, Pumpkin, Corn, Grains, Chestnuts, Rice Some examples of what NOT to combine, that are commonplace, would be: Strawberries and Bananas, Pineapple and Papaya, Grapefruit and Figs, Avocado and Banana… you get the idea. Lettuce and Celery: Now that you've gone over the reasons why proper food combining is important and the groups of foods, here are the principles of mixing these items properly. Proper Food Combining Rules to follow To avoid fermentation in the intestines, indigestion, water retention and toxicity, do apply these simple techniques in eating for health. 1. Eat sweet fruits with other varieties of sweet fruits only. They may combine with sub-acid fruits. For example, Bananas and Figs, Papaya and Persimmon. 2. Eat Acid fruits alone or with Lettuce and Celery. In little quantities they may combine with Avocadoes or Nuts and Non-Starchy vegetables. For example, Cucumber, Pineapple or Orange in salad is okay. 3. Avocadoes and Olives are best eaten with non-starchy vegetables. I believe mashed, avocadoes combine great with boiled potatoes. 4. Melons, as a rule eat alone or leave alone. In addition, further research on the use of a food combining chart, as depicted in some publications, show the following components as well. # Avocado is considered a protein along with nuts and seeds. # Eat only one type of protein at a meal. # Eat nuts and seeds with leafy greens, zucchini, yellow or summer squash. (Throw some sunflower seeds on that salad or try walnuts and cranberries!) # Papaya can be eaten with all foods. # Eat celery and lettuce with all vegetables or fruit except melons. # Tomatoes combine well with low starchy vegetables and either nuts or avocado. # Avocados combine well with low starchy vegetables and fairly well with starches and acid fruits. # Oils and starches, like grains and potato with ghee or flax seed oil are not the best combo, but okay in limited amounts. This is why, as an alternative, you'll want to apply these guidelines above when eating for YOUR health. So at all times, follow these food combining chart principles properly and your digestive tract will thank you for years to come that you did! Happy and Healthy Eating! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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