Food Pairing for Optimal Nutrition

Food Pairing

for

Optimal Nutrition

 Have ever you felt bloated, gassy or even tired after a meal?  We've all been there.  It's probably because we aren't pairing the right foods together or we are  eating them in the wrong order.  Proper food pairing can result in more energy, better skin, better sleep and natural weight loss.  Different foods digest at different rates.  By combining the correct foods together more nutrients are more easily absorbed and used by the body.  Nutrient absorption is crucial for cellular activities for providing the proper vitamins and minerals we need to be healthy.  It's called "food synergies".

By eating food that digests at different rates your digestion gets out of whack and things begin to rot and ferment in out intestines.  It forms a "sludge" that turns into a muck of toxins that our bodies need to work overtime to digest.  Then your feeling bloated, gassy, tired etc..  

Fruit digests the quickest, then greens, then non-starchy veggies( broccoli, mushrooms, onions and peppers etc.) next comes starchy(root) veggies(potatoes, corn, yams etc.).  The slowest to digest is proteins.  Tofu, tempeh and edamame are the easiest plant-based proteins to digest.  Beef, chicken and pork(which are very acidic) take a lot of time and work for the body to digest. By consuming large amounts of those with other foods at the same time can be very taxing on our digestive systems.

By combining the right foods your body gets to use the all the nutrients available.  Giving us more energy to be the healthiest we can be.

For example, did you know that iron deficiency is the most common and widespread nutritional disorder in the world?  One of the best food pairing for absorbing iron is to combine it with a food high in vitamin C.  

Example: 

 Organic Oatmeal topped with strawberries, raspberries or blueberries.

Topped with a spoonful of ground flaxseed.

High in fiber,iron, vitamin C  and omega 3 fatty acids.

It will fill you up and give you energy that lasts all morning.

For great bone health, cut out the dairy and combine foods high in  calcium, magnesium and plant proteins, for example:White Bean and Swiss Chard Pasta

Here's a few food combinations examples and which order to consume:

Starches/Veggies-OK

Proteins/Veggies-Ok

Fats/Starches-OK

Fats/Carbs-OK

Fruit/Raw greens-OK

Fruits should eaten by themselves for optimal absorption, but can be eaten to enhance Iron absorption.  

Proteins/Starches-NO

Fats/Proteins-NO

Studies suggest that many phytochemicals(antioxidants) combined with black pepper are more readily absorbed by the body.  Turmeric and Black pepper

Great recipe: Turmeric Tahini Roasted Cauliflower  

By planning your daily meals out by using this method of food pairing you will feel and see the benefits in just a short time.

Have a great week.

Be kind.

Judd