Even after eating a variety of healthy foods if you are falling ill, it is time to take a look at the different types of food you are combining in your meals. Certain components in a specific food tend to behave differently when they are combined with specific constituents of another food. Unhealthy food combinations are a common cause of indigestion, flatulence, high blood pressure, constipation, skin problems, lethargy, inflammation and poor health.
The Following Food Combinations Given Below Are Especially Considered Harmful For The Health:
Proteins And Sour Foods
Combining protein rich foods such as meat, poultry, fish, milk and legumes with acidic fruits such as citrus fruits, pineapples and berries or acidic vegetables such as tomato slows down protein digestion. The acidic ingredients present in sour foods tend to reduce secretion of the stomach acid that helps in protein digestion. Furthermore, the acids may also destroy pepsin, an enzyme, which is essential for breaking down proteins into peptides.
Fruits With Starch And Protein
Fruits should be eaten alone on empty stomach. Fruits contain small amount of fats and proteins and easy to digest fruit sugar. However, it takes a longer time for your body to break down starchy and protein rich foods. When you eat fruits along with other foods, digestion of fruits slows down. When the sugar in the fruits remains in the stomach for a longer time, it starts fermenting, leading to flatulence and indigestion.
Milk And Dairy With Other Foods
Milk and dairy products should not be taken with other foods. Unlike other protein foods, this concentrated source of protein is broken down in the duodenum. When it enters the stomach, milk neutralizes stomach acid, which impairs secretion of enzymes that help in breaking down proteins, carbohydrates and fats and aid absorption of vitamins and minerals.
Two Protein Rich Foods
Avoid taking two protein rich foods together. Combining meat with fish, egg with chicken or beans with cheese slows down digestion. Your digestive system has to work hard to break down proteins from different sources. It not only increases risk of indigestion but it also drains your energy and causes fatigue.
Water With Food
When you drink water with food, water dilutes the enzymes and inhibits digestion of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Especially when you are eating a large meal avoid drinking water with the meal or immediately after the meal.
