Suggestion…Take any plant based/herbal supplements with the plant/carbohydrate part of the meal, then take any animal-based supplements with the protein/animal-based meal.
Online we can find a mile of information, theory, protocols & testimony regarding “Food Combining” & “Food Separation”.
While we are all individual in our intolerances & sensitivities to different foods & ways of eating, there does appear to be some fundamentals that are applicable to the bulk of the population.
When we eat, digestion starts in the mouth, with chewing, saliva excretion, & lymph nodes under the tongue studying what’s in our mouths & sending signals to our digestive system about what it can expect very shortly.
If we choose to eat carbohydrates & starches, particularly those found in grains like wheat, rice, barley, oats, bread, pasta, & root vegetables, potato’s etc, these mostly pass through our very acidic stomach’s relatively unscathed, to then be digested & broken down in the later, alkaline environment of the small intestine, before passing on through to the colon. When we eat protein, hopefully in the form of meat, fish, eggs, maybe dairy, ideally it hangs out in the stomach & is broken down largely in that very acidic environment, before then passing on through to the small intestine & colon.
Fat digestion starts in the stomach & continues in the small intestine. For this reason, food combining/separation theory suggests that it is unwise to combine starches with proteins, as they require an opposite pH environment for optimal digestion.
Suggestion 1…If planning to eat carbohydrates, eat them earlier in the day, or at least half an hour before our protein meal.
Suggestion 2…If we’re sitting down for a combo meal, eat the starches/carbs & vegetables first, & the proteins last. Reasoning is that the starches will pass through first, then the proteins can hang around in the stomach longer.
Suggestion 3…Eat any plant based nutritional supplements with your plant based/carbohydrate food. Eat any animal-based supplements with the protein/animal-based portion of your meal.
These suggestions may facilitate much better digestion, absorption & utilization of both food & supplements.
I enjoy the odd pie, burger, sushi or sandwich as much as the next guy, but I partake in these on occasion, knowing they are the worst combinations of starches & proteins. This will not result in the best digestion of any of the elements of these foods.
For those with gut issues, skin conditions, joint pain, brain fog or any other health complaint, taking this into consideration can be a great step towards lowering inflammation & dis-ease.
Disclaimer - I am not a doctor. These opinions should not be taken as medical advice to treat, prevent or cure disease. Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, supplement, or exercise program.
Wishing you the Very Best in Health
Nigel Dixon