Food Combining & Digestion

Food combining is a dietary approach to promote optimal digestion based on the idea that certain foods should or should not be eaten together because they require different digestive processes. 

Food combining usually categorizes foods into different groups such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. The core concept is to separate these groups to optimize digestion. Food combining often suggests that proteins (like meat, fish, eggs) and carbohydrates (like bread, pasta, rice) should not be eaten together in the same meal because they require different pH levels for digestion. Some food combining diets recommend eating fruits separately from other foods, claiming that they digest more quickly. The concept promotes certain combinations while discouraging others. For example, proteins with non-starchy  vegetables (like chicken with broccoli) or carbohydrates with non-starchy vegetables (like rice with spinach) are considered compatible. Foods that combine proteins and carbohydrates (like a cheeseburger or pasta with meat sauce) are often considered incompatible.

Food combining also involves specific guidelines for meal timing and structure. Food combining might suggest leaving a gap between meals that contain different types or consistencies of food to allow for complete digestion. For example, mixing solids and liquids while eating may lead to indigestion due to dilution of digestive enzymes and stomach acid. Some people find that food combining helps them manage digestion or maintain weight.