LOVE YOUR BELLY: Food Combining

Hey there, wellness warriors!

Let's chat about one of the coolest secrets to living your best life: giving your body the VIP treatment it deserves when it comes to digesting all those yummy nutrients. We're talking about food combining—a bit like matchmaking for your meals!

Imagine your body as the ultimate superhero, ready to rock 'n roll with every nutrient-packed bite you take. Eating the right combos isn't just about satisfying your taste buds; it's about giving your body the power to fuel up and thrive like never before.

Here's the lowdown: some foods are like peas in a pod—they're meant to be together, creating the perfect harmony for your belly. Then there are those odd couples that just don't vibe together, leaving your tummy feeling like it's crashed a party it wasn't invited to.

We've got our foodie categories: carbs and starches, fruits, veggies, proteins, and fats. And here's the scoop on the "do not disturb" list:

1. Starches and proteins: They're like oil and water, trying to share the same dance floor—it's a bit awkward.

2. Starches with acidic foods: It's like mixing stripes with polka dots—fun in theory, but not so much in practice.

3. Different types of protein: Think of it like trying to teach a cat to bark—not gonna happen!

4. Protein with fat: Sometimes, they're like peanut butter and jelly; other times, it's more like oil and vinegar—interesting combo, but not always a hit.

5. Fruits with veggies: It's like trying to blend jazz with heavy metal—sure, it might sound adventurous, but your belly might prefer a different tune.

For instance, think about your classic steak and potato dinner. While it might sound dreamy, it can create a bit of a traffic jam in your tummy. See, proteins and carbs have different digestion styles, like needing different playlists at a party. When they're together, it's like they're both trying to DJ at the same time—cue the chaos! (one needs an alkaline environment and the other needs acidic)

We want to create an environment in our digestive system that promotes health and wellness, rather than create inflammation, malabsorption, weakened intestinal wall, or an open door to infection and disease.

To put it simply, food combining is the concept that certain foods pair well together, while other foods do not. The main categories within the food combining sphere are carbs and starches, fruits, vegetables, proteins and fats. These are the standard rules of thumb for foods you shouldn’t combine: 

• Starches and proteins.

• Starches with acidic foods.

• Different types of protein.

• Protein with fat.

• Fruits with vegetables.

You can improve the digestibility of your meal by making these food combinations:

1. Protein and non-starchy vegetable

2. Organic chicken and kale salad

3. Wild-caught salmon with steamed peppers and onion

4. Grains/starchy veggies and non-starchy veggies

5. Brown rice with vegetable stir-fry

6. Sweet potato and asparagus

7. Oils and non-starchy veggies

8. Avocado and salad

9. Olive oil or coconut oil on steamed veggies

10. Fruit by itself

So, next time you're whipping up a culinary masterpiece, keep these fun tips in mind. Your body will thank you with a happy dance and a whole lot of wellness vibes!

Here's to delicious adventures and belly bliss!