The Skinny on Food Combining

The Skinny on Food Combining

Tara Carpenter, NC.

Nutrition Consultant specialized in supporting people of all ages with therapeutic nutrition to heal digestive related health issues.

Fruit is cleansing, hydrating, and full of electrolytes and vitamins. It’s an alkaline-forming food that must be eaten on an empty stomach. The morning is typically the only time your stomach is truly empty and so the first thing in morning is the best time to eat fruit.

When you eat fruit late in the day after eating lots of food or have fruit after eating food that is not raw or aged cheese, nuts, other fruit, cured meats, kefir, etc. (foods that combine well with fruit) then you may feel funny in your body, whether immediately or delayed. Or if you eat fruit with a sandwich at lunch or with fish for dinner like in photo above then you may feel digestive discomfort like bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation. These uncomfortable and embarrassing issues may happen right away or wait a few hours to pop up. Or, down for that matter 😉

Three exceptions to this rule:

• Acid/Sour Fruit (i.e. cranberries, grapefruit) combine well with pre-digested proteins (i.e. raw cheese, soaked seeds).
• Lemons combine well with animal protein (i.e. chicken, fish).
• Fruit combines with fermented food (i.e. young coconuts, kefir)

If you’re confused, eat fruit alone or leave it alone.

#2) Eat Animal Protein with Non-Starchy Vegetables

Animal protein (i.e. chicken, fish) needs an acidic environment to digest in. This food combines well with non-starchy veggies (i.e. kale, carrots).

• Fish with steamed spinach and cucumbers
• Chicken with kale and cauliflower soup

#3) Eat Starch with Starchy/Non-Starchy Vegetables

Starch needs an alkaline environment to digest in. They combine well with plant protein (i.e. nuts, beans), starchy veggies (i.e red potatoes, squash), or non-starchy veggies (i.e. lettuce, red peppers).

• Buckwheat pilaf with pinto beans and green salad
• Butternut squash with pumpkin seeds and broccoli

I devised a food combining chart after studying and comparing countless other food combining charts. You can purchase a laminated copy for side of refrigerator or downloaded version for phone/computer here. This is primarily for people healing on Body Ecology Diet yet a wonderful chart for anyone in my personal and professional opinion.

Sidenote: Before learning to food combine I had to wear stretchy pants because I was bloated in my belly. Now I fit in jeans I wore in college and feel more slender with curves I thought long gone. I’m convinced food combining is why I feel so much better. This and colon cleansing. 

References

Gates, D. (2010). Body Ecology Diet. Bogart, GA: B.E.D. Publications

Grant, D. & Joice, J. (1989). Food Combining For Health. Rochester, VT. Healing Arts Press

Marsden, K. (2005). Complete Book of Food Combining. Great Britain: Piatkus

Meyerowitz, S. (2008). Food Combining and Digestion. Summertown, TN: Sproutman Publications

May all bellies be happy!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links for products I believe in and use on a regular basis. See more here. All content is for general information only, primarily educational in nature, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your primary health-care practitioner that you, the reader, may require for any cause whatsoever, now or in future. Consult a primary practitioner regarding any health problem(s) you have and keep them informed to the opinions, ideas, and advice on this site that you find useful. Full disclaimer here. Email tara@happybellies.net for questions.

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