Gym Reviews | Workout Plans | Weight Loss | Diet Plan | Social Media
Many of us enjoy combining different types of foods, like putting cheese on our burgers or eating yogurt with fruit. It’s a common thing and it tastes great! However, some nutritionists and Ayurvedic experts suggest that certain food combinations may not be best for our digestion and may prevent our body from getting all the essential nutrients. In this article, we will take a closer look at the top 10 food combinations that you may want to avoid including in your diet.
Dangerous Food Combinations To Avoid
Many dieticians and nutritionists often recommend a practice called “food combining,” which is a way of eating that can promote better health and improved digestion. It’s something many of us tend to overlook, but it can have significant benefits.
The basic idea behind food combining is that certain combinations of foods can either help or hinder our digestion and overall nutrition. For example, some food pairings, like drinking orange juice with milk or eating foods high in sugar and fat together, can make it harder for our bodies to digest them. Similarly, mixing certain fresh fruits, like bananas, with milk might lead to an upset stomach. These kinds of incompatible food pairings can also interfere with our body’s ability to absorb important nutrients like iron, calcium, or essential vitamins.
Let’s take an example: combining leafy greens and non-starchy vegetables with other foods might seem like a healthy choice, but if not done carefully, it can actually have negative effects. Leafy greens, which are a good source of non-heme iron (a type of iron found in plant-based foods like spinach and broccoli), contain compounds like oxalates and phytates that can hinder the absorption of iron.
To avoid these harmful food combinations that could potentially cause weight gain, bloating, or even create toxins in your digestive system, it’s important to plan your meals with digestion in mind. You can mix fast-digesting foods with slow-digesting ones, but it’s a good idea to keep the principles of food combining in consideration.
1. Banana And Milk
Not many people out there can resist the deliciousness of banana milkshake! This is a very common choice for people trying to keep an eye on their weight because it helps keep you feeling full and keeps you from overheating. However, there’s a catch – this delicious dish can be heavy on your stomach.
Here’s a little tip: If you’re drinking a banana milkshake and want to make it easier on your stomach, just sprinkle a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon into it. These spices can give your digestive system a little boost.
And if you’re not in the mood for a milkshake but still want to enjoy fruit and dairy together, you can always add some bananas to yogurt for a different and delicious option. Also, if you’re looking for extra digestive aid, adding a little green cardamom to your banana mixture may do the trick. Happy sipping and snacking!
2. Yogurt With Fruit
Yogurt contains a lot of beneficial bacteria that react with the sugar present in the fruit. Sometimes, this interaction can produce substances that can cause digestive upset, colds, or even food allergies in some people. To avoid these potential problems, you can make some changes to your yogurt-based snacks.
Instead of using flavored yogurt, opt for plain yogurt at room temperature. Then, consider adding ingredients like honey, cinnamon, or raisins to enhance the flavor without the potential drawbacks of fresh fruit.
Here’s a quick tip: If you experience any digestive issues after eating curd, you can try mixing it with some water and adding a pinch of cumin powder and ginger. This combination can help soothe your digestive system after your meal.
3. Cereal With Milk And Orange Juice
When you mix milk and orange juice together, it can cause some problems. This is because milk contains something called casein, and orange juice contains acid. When these two things come together, it can cause the milk to curdle, such as when it becomes coagulated. Additionally, it can also degrade the enzymes present in grains that help you digest it properly.
If you eat this combination, it may make you feel bloated and make it difficult for your body to digest the food. To avoid this, it’s a good idea to wait at least an hour after drinking fruit juice before eating cereal, or otherwise. This gives your stomach time to handle each of them separately, so you don’t feel uncomfortable.
4. Food And Water/Juice
Drinking water or fruit juice, such as orange juice, while eating may not be the best idea for your digestion. This is because: Your stomach needs its own digestive juices to effectively work on the food you eat, breaking down complex things like proteins, carbohydrates (including sugars) and fats. When you drink water with meals, it can dilute stomach acids, making them less powerful at doing their job.
Some people who follow a food combination diet suggest drinking water about 10 minutes before eating. This can help you feel full longer, which may prevent you from overeating or weakening your stomach enzymes during meals.
5. Two High Proteins
Do you know how some meals, like surf and turf or bacon and eggs, combine two protein-rich foods? Well, those combinations are often delicious but not so good for your digestion. They can be hard on your stomach and take a while to break down. To avoid these problems, try to eat your meals in stages. Start with light proteins and save the heavier meaty ingredients for later. And don’t wait too long between each portion of your meal, ideally no more than 10 minutes.
Also, it is a good idea to stay away from processed and fried foods as much as possible. Instead, try adding some sweet fruits and non-starchy vegetables to your diet. They can balance unhealthy combinations and ease digestion.
There was a study that looked at how eating fried foods was linked to heart problems, specifically coronary artery disease (CAD). They studied 154,663 people, mostly men with an average age of 64. Of those, 6,725 had CAD events that were linked to eating fried foods. This means that there is a clear association between the consumption of fried foods and an increased risk of CAD. Therefore, for your heart health, it is wise to be mindful of how much fried food you are eating.
6. Cheese And Meat
Meaty meatballs, meat in fondue, and cheesy meat omelettes are all rich in protein. But when you combine meat and dairy, like cheese, it can be tough on your digestion. So, here’s the easy solution: When you’re making fondue, opt for dipping vegetables instead of meat. And if you’re making meatballs, leave out the cheese. Finally, add a little light to the meat and cheese in your omelette to make it easier on your stomach.
7. Beans And Cheese
Mexican food often combines beans with cheese, making for a delicious combo! Beans are great for your health because they can help control blood sugar and insulin levels. However, when you mix cheese, beans, hot sauce, and guacamole together, it’s a recipe for potential stomach problems like bloating and gas. The surprising thing is that beans are not generally responsible for gas problems. So, if you have a sensitive stomach, it might be a good idea to enjoy beans separately from cheese.
8. Fruit With Meal
Who can resist the delightful taste of mango salsa on fish or some juicy strawberries in a salad? These delicious ingredients, whether they’re spicy and tangy or sweet and tropical, can be an important part of a vegetarian diet. However, it’s important to be careful with this combination, as fruits, which usually move through your digestive system fairly quickly, can sometimes get stuck in your system, causing the sugars in them to ferment.
About the Author
LifeFitness.com’s authors consist of accredited coaches, doctors, dietitians and athletes across the world.
3 thoughts on “8 Dangerous Food Combinations To Avoid”