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.
Originally published on January 1, 2015.
I food combine every meal, every day. This is the secret I wish I had been told about years ago when I suffered with severe bloating from a yeast overgrowth. Everyone thought I was pregnant I was so bloated and the chronic pain interfered with my daily activities so much that learning to food combine was the easiest thing on my list and I did so graciously.
Whisper in the ear …. the above photo is an example of poor food combining: strawberries served with grain and cooked animal protein to boot is a digestive no-no and you may feel discomfort after eating.
“Thanks for this Tara. It’s helpful to learn what worked for you and your family. Food combining is new territory for me.” ~ A.S. Montpelier, VT.
#1) Eat Fruit Alone on Empty Stomach
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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3 replies on “The Skinny on Food Combining”
This one may be easier to see more of the chart…https://www.happybellies.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/FCC.jpg
Yes I know. Any bigger and it becomes to easy for others to copy. Let me see if I can make it a tad bigger though. You are not the first to mention this!
Hi! Unfortunatly it is not posssible to se the food combining chart as a bigger picture than the small one on this page.