Top 10 Rules for Proper Food CombiningDylan Charles, Contributor Trophology is the science of food combining to allow for optimal digestion, optimal absorption of nutrients and optimal expulsion of waste. Primarily chemistry, food combining explains how certain foods induce the necessary enzymatic secretions for proper digestion. When this chemistry is thrown out of balance by demanding that the body process incompatible food combinations, undigested food remains stagnant within the intestinal tract, leading to putrefaction, fermentation, overgrowth of bacteria and toxicity. This, in turn, leads to myriad illnesses, chronic conditions, food allergies, bloating, metabolic problems and the bulging and distorted body shapes we see everywhere these days. Every food is different; some are alkaline, others acidic, some are high in fat, others high in fiber. Because foods are different, paying attention to the basic rules of food combining can give your body the chance it needs to properly use food. Have you ever left a steak and a tomato on the counter for a week and watched what happens? They clearly have unique processes of decomposition, and it wont take long to realize that a rancid steak is not something you want sitting on your counter top, let alone inside your body, for very long. In order to improve digestion and address certain chronic illnesses, it is advisable to heed these ten powerful food-combining tips as often as possible. The Rule Separate concentrated proteins like meat, fish and eggs, from starches like bread, potatoes and rice. 2. Protein and Protein Different proteins require different processes to digest. For example, when meat is consumed, the strongest enzymatic reaction occurs during the first hour, whereas milk or eggs take longer to be digested. Combining similar meats, like lamb and beef, is typically fine, but complex combinations should be avoided. The Rule Avoid meals that combine multiple concentrated proteins, such as fish and cheese, meat and milk, or meat and eggs. 3. Starch and Acid When an acidic food is taken with a starch, the secretion of ptyalin in the mouth is disturbed, and the alkaline enzyme needed to break down the starch is absent when the food reaches the stomach. Oranges, lemons, acidic fruits, and vinegars interrupt the bodys ability to digest starches and they begin to ferment within the gut. The Rule Separate starches and acids at mealtime, avoiding combinations like cereal and orange juice, or rice with a vinegar dish. 4. Protein and Acid Proteins require acids present in the stomach to digest properly, but adding additional acidic foods disrupts the stomachs ability to produce the acids that breaks down protein. Consuming acidic fruits with meats, for example, slows the bodys ability to break down meat, leading to putrefaction. The Rule Avoid meals that combine concentrated proteins and acidic dishes. 5. Protein and Fat Fats inhibit the stomachs ability to produce gastric juices, greatly slowing the digestion of any foods take with the fatty food, especially so for proteins. The Rule Separate concentrated proteins and fatty foods when possible. 6. Protein and Sugar Sugar also prohibits the stomachs ability to produce gastric juices and so it passes through the stomach to be processed in the small intestine. When combined with a concentrated protein, sugar inhibits the digestion of the protein, then is itself prevented from reaching the small intestine as it is combined in the stomach with undigested proteins. This causes fermentation in the gut and an explosion of bacteria, which are both highly toxic to the body. The Rule Combining proteins and sugars together in the same meal should be avoided. 7. Starch and Sugar When sugar and starches are combined in the mouth, the secretion of ptyalin, the alkaline enzyme required for digestion of starches, is halted and starches remain undigested. Sugar fermentation in the gut creates acidic compounds that further inhibit the digestion of starches. The Rule Eat sugars and starches separately. 8. Melons Melons are a unique food in that they are not digested within the stomach, but pass instead to the small intestine for digestion. This process is only possible when melons are consumed alone or combined only with fresh, raw foods. If melon is prevented from passing quickly to the small intestine then rapid fermentation of this soft fruit occurs, creating many problems. The Rule Consume melons alone or not at all. 9. Milk Many people feel that milk should be avoided entirely, but that if consumed it is best in raw form, as pasteurization destroys the natural enzymes in the milk that make its digestion possible. Milk immediately curdles when it reaches the stomach, which coagulates with other foods if the belly is busy trying to digest anything else. This prevents other foods from being exposed to gastric juices and encourages the onset of putrefaction. The Rule Raw milk is to be taken by itself, or not at all. 10. Desserts Sweets after a big meal can interrupt the digestion of almost anything else in the stomach, especially so with carbohydrates and proteins. Once a sweet is introduced, digestion all but stops and putrefaction begins. The Rule Sweet, starchy desserts, as well a sweet fruits should not be consumed within a few of hours after large meals containing carbohydrates or concentrated proteins. To be sure, this is an impossible list of rules to follow at all times, but by being mindful of these food combinations and attempting to eat in accordance with these guidelines, the bodys digestion will naturally improve. At each mealtime, attempting to follow at least one or two of these rules, while choosing healthier foods overall, will leave you instantly feeling lighter, more nourished and healthier, while improving your metabolism and addressing chronic illness. Sources: Reid, Daniel P. (1989). The Tao of Health, Sex and Longevity. New York: Simon SchusterLtd. This article first appeared on Waking Times. Dylan Charles is a former Ron Paul delegate, a black belt in many Eastern arts, and the founder and editor of WakingTimes.com One item that was overlooked on the list is mixing oxalic acid greens (spinach, kale, mustard, turnip, poke, and the likes, but NOT lettuces) with animal proteins, which is GUARANTEED to form a Kidney Stone. Seasoning the greens with animal fat, like bacon grease, is doable, its the meat thats the problem but animal meat causes us lots of problems, as you have noted in several places, and even Einstein said we should NOT eat meat. A Cauliflower is nothing more than a Cabbage with a college education. Mark Twain Great job on the write-up! I absolutely loved it! Common Sense, rather than Faith, is the ONLY answer to uncovering the Truth, and it also jives PERFECTLY with the Dynamic Open System known as Life/Nature; whereas Faith is only good for creating a Static Closed System, which sources the artificial entropy known as human stupidity/ignorance, and ALWAYS ends in Death. Old Toad Proverb Write on! Ribbit AWESOME! 