When I talk to groups about healthy eating and creating a healthy diet plan, the concept of food combining for healthy eating is asked. After getting the food-combining questions several times in the last eight years I decided to actually research this type of diet plan to see what type of medical research made this theory plausible.
After searching several medical search engines I was not able to find any research on the legitimacy of food combining as a diet plan. There were several articles, including one published by the The Merck Manual medical reference guide, that refer to food combining as a fad diet with no medical proof behind its theory.
When I conducted searches on popular main stream search engines I was able to find information about the food combining theories and rules. I will share the theories and rules and then I will share my thoughts about this as a way of eating.
The theory is that certain foods need to be eaten separately or in special combination, to be best digested. Here are the basic rules (they were slightly different on each site that I referenced):
• Fruits can be eaten before meals or eaten alone
• Only one protein can be eaten at one time
• Proteins can be eaten with vegetables but not with starches
• Carbohydrates can also be eaten with vegetables
• Protein and carbohydrates should be eat separately
• Liquids can be eating before meals but not with or after meals
The concept is that starches, carbohydrates and fruits are digested in an alkaline environment, so they need a different environment than proteins which need to be digested in an acidic environment.
Now that we understand the concepts of food combining as a diet, I will give you my clinical opinion about this diet. I do not see the validity of this diet because I believe the basic premise that the body needs us to separate foods for proper digestion is incorrect.
Our foods usually have a combination of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins all within them so our digestive system has been created to digest and, more importantly, absorb all of these nutrients in different parts of the digestive tract.
This diet is difficult to stay on track with because of all the separations, especially in mainstream American culture. It is also possible to create deficiencies in nutrients unless you are very careful in your planning of meals each day.
This diet has gained popularity as a weight loss agent and for people who are having digestive problems. My recommendation is to treat the underlying cause of the digestive disorder, and then you will be able to combine your food without a problem.
I always recommend food lifestyles that you can use and maintain over time to create a more healthful life. Unfortunately I do not believe the food combining diet falls into this category.
Live Vibrantly,
Dr. Dae
Dr. Dae's website: www.healthydaes.com
Dr. Dae's book: Daelicious! Recipes for Vibrant Living can be purchased @ www.healthydaes.com
Dr. Dae's Bio:
“Dr. Dae" (pronounced Dr. Day) Daemon Jones is a Naturopathic Physician who treats the whole person using safe and effective combinations of traditional and natural methods to produce optimal health and well-being in the lives of her patients.
Sources:
" Diets: Overview of Nutrition: Merck Manual Home Edition ." THE MERCK MANUALS - Trusted Medical and Scientific Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2011. http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/print/disorders_of_nutrition/overview_of_nutrition/diets.html
" Food Combining Diet & Free Printable Chart | IBS Diet Guide." IBS Diet Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2011.
http://ibsdietguide.com/63/food-combining-diet-free-printable-chart
Condition. "Food Combining Diet." Alternative Medicine - Everything You Need to Know About Alternative Medicine. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2011. http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/digestiveproblems/a/FoodCombining.htm
Reviewed November 30, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith