Food Combining

Digestion is the single most important long-term determinant of health in Ayurveda. Good digestion assures that all of the vitamins and minerals you take in through your food will be absorbed from the intestines into the blood.

Poor digestion not only inhibits nutrient absorption but also leads to the formation of toxins (Ama) in your digestive tract, which then get absorbed and cause disease. Indigestion, gas, heartburn, constipation, and diarrhea are all signs of poor digestion.

Food combining comes last in importance compared to general food habits and choosing the proper foods. Ninety-five percent of all digestive difficulties should respond to proper food choices and general food habits. However, stubborn digestive difficulties that do not respond to these practices will usually respond to proper food combinations. Therefore, follow these additional rules: Gas, heartburn, constipation, and diarrhea are all signs of poor digestion.

*Generally, do not mix a protein with a concentrated carbohydrate or two different protein groups, such as meat and eggs. For example, do not eat fish with rice, chicken with noodles, or the proper foods. Ninety-five percent of all digestive difficulties should respond to the proper food choices and general food habits. However, stubborn digestive problems that do not respond to these practices will usually react to proper food combinations.

Therefore, following these additional rules, gas, heartburn, constipation, and diarrhea are all signs of poor digestion.

*Salads are cold and bitter, weakening digestion, and are best eaten at the end of the meal.

*Sweets should be eaten before a meal or as a snack between meals, not as a dessert. The sweet taste is digested first; any other food in your system will stop digesting and become putrefy.

*Drinking astringent teas during or before a meal will weaken digestion.

*Do not combine meats, fish, or eggs with milk, potatoes, nuts, bread, rice, and grains.

*Do not combine dairy products with sour or acidic fruit, meats or fish, bread, rice, and grains.

*Do not eat sweets or drink fruit juice with salty foods or high-protein foods (meats, milk, or cheese)

*Generally, do not mix a protein with a concentrated carbohydrate or two different protein groups, such as meat and eggs. For example, do not eat fish with rice, chicken with noodles, eggs with toast, bread with cheese, or cereal with milk.

*Fruit should be eaten away from other foods unless stewed or cooked.