Anne W. Hansen 
Food incorporating is a health-conscious approach to eating, where foods that need different digestive environments are eaten separately. Various food combination theories have somewhat controversial views, however, there are some points which they agree on.
Here are we with the 10 food combinations that are considered bad by Ayurveda, modern hygienists, and physiologists. Mostly, no one in their right mind would ever think of eating these foods together if they knew what would happen in our digestive system. Some of the instant consequences of bad food combinations are digestive un-ease, gas, bloating, stomach ache, nausea, fatigue, and problems with elimination.
While short-term effects can clear up within a day or two, long-term food combining can result in more severe problems like bad breath, dry skin, rashes, chronic inflammation, poor sleep, low energy, and chronic digestion issues. Most people feel a surge of energy and naturally, lose weight once they start following several simple foods combining rules.
Here are some famous items on the average American menu which are present a big challenge to our body and can also wreak havoc on your health:
Fruit After A Meal
Natural Hygienists have known for a long time that fruit does not combine well with other foods. The reason is that fruit consists of simple sugars that require no digestion. Thus, they will not stay for a long time in the stomach. Other foods, such as foods rich in fat, protein, and starch, will stay in the stomach for a longer period of time since they need more digestion. So if you eat fruit after a meal, the fruit sugar will stay for too long in the stomach and ferment.
Lasagna or Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Protein-starch combos impede salivary digestion of starch. Protein and starches require different enzymes and different levels of acidity to be digested. When eaten together, your body is compelled to make a choice to digest protein but not starches. According to Dr. Herbert Shelton, the champion of original Natural hygiene ideas, undigested starchy food undergoes fermentation and decomposition and over time leads to poisonous end-products. Apparently adding green to hard-to-digest cheesy dishes makes them easier for the stomach.
Cheese and Meat Omelet
In general protein/protein combinations are not recommended. One single concentrated protein per meal is easier to digest and won’t need as much energy. Go for veggie omelet rather.
Tomato and Cheese Pasta Sauce
Tomatoes are considered acidic and are not recommended to be mixed with starchy carbs such as pasta. Food combining theory suggests avoiding mixing carbohydrates with acids. Adding dairy to this already difficult combo turns it into a recipe for digestive problems and after-meal fatigue as your body will need a ton of energy to digest this meal. Have pasta with pesto and grilled veggies rather!
Cereal or Oatmeal With Milk and Orange Juice
Acids in orange juice or any acid fruits ruin the enzyme which is responsible for digesting starches present in cereal. Also, acidic fruits or juices can curdle milk and transform it into a heavy mucus-forming substance. To keep your breakfast healthy, try having fruit or orange juice 30 min before the oatmeal.
Beans and Cheese
Dairy protein and beans is a typical combo in any Mexican restaurant. Consumed with a hearty serving of guacamole and hot sauce, it is almost assured to lead to gas and bloating. It is not the beans on their own that cause it, but the combination as a whole. Try to skip cheese and tomatoes if you have weak digestion or working on detoxifying your body.
Melon and Prosciutto
Melons should be eaten alone or left alone. The same rule goes for all high sugar fruits. In general, it is favored to eat fruits separately from proteins or starches, particularly if you are looking for a quick energy boost from a fruit.
Bananas and Milk
Ayurveda lists this combination as one of the heaviest and toxin-forming. It is said to form heaviness in the body and slows down the mind. If you are a fan of milk-based banana smoothies make sure that banana is very ripe and add cardamom and nutmeg to stimulate digestion.
Yogurt With Fruit
Ayurveda and food combining theory, do not suggest mixing any sour fruits with dairy as it can decrease digestive fire, change the intestinal flora, produce toxins and cause sinus congestion, cold, cough, and allergies. Ayurveda recommends avoiding congestive and digestive fire dampening foods such as cold yogurt mixed with fruits. However, if you cannot resist the temptation of a yogurt parfait, there are ways to make it more digestion-friendly. First of all, go for a room temperature natural unflavored yogurt. Secondly, mix a little bit of honey, cinnamon, and raisins instead of sour berries.
Lemon Dressing on Cucumber and Tomato Salad
Nightshades like potatoes, chilies, eggplant, and tomatoes are not supposed to be combined with cucumbers. While lemon does not go well with either.
Absolutely, everyone has a different body and will experience various levels of sensitivity to bad food combinations. Many people attribute digestive issues and allergies to particular foods while in reality, it is the combination of foods that is to accuse. Also, the majority of us are so used to digestive discomfort that we do not know what it feels like not to experience it. Everything becomes clear in comparison. If you follow simple food combination rules for 2 weeks and let your digestive system rest, your digestion will be a lot more efficient and stronger before the holidays. Cravings will subside, there will be more energy and a flatter belly.
