Every year Americans spend over 2 billion dollars on antacids. In fact, antacids have become the #1 over-the-counter remedy in the United States.* Indigestion has become so common that it is considered normal in today's world. Many of us don't even know what it is like to have proper digestion.

There is a fast and effective way to realize proper digestion. The key is properly combining your foods and drinking plenty of alkaline water, which we will discuss further throughout this article.

The Human Digestive System

Did you know different foods require different enzymes to aid in the digestive process? Some foods, such as proteins, require acids to digest, while others, such as starches, require alkaline digestive juices. If we are to eat, for example, a burger (protein) on a bun (starch) the acid and alkaline juices combine and essentially neutralize each other. This in turn slows down digestion. Poor digestion promotes an acidic bloodstream and we can't be properly nourished and healthy if we are not digesting our food.

Food combining refers to combining foods that are compatible with each other in terms of how they digest.

Food Combining Principles

1. Perhaps the most important rule of food combining...Do NOT mix Starch Foods with Protein Foods!

Why? In order for proteins to digest they need a very acidic environment where as carbohydrates (starches, fruits, sugars) and fats require a more alkaline medium. Whenever two or more foods are eaten at the same time that require opposite conditions the digestive system is compromised. This often results in gas, bloating and poor adsorption of nutrients. Obviously what we are talking about is in sharp contrast to much of the American diet; Meat and Potatoes, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Fish and Chips are all digestive nightmares!

1. Try to stick to 1 protein or 1 starch at a meal. Eating 2 different proteins at the same meal. i.e eggs and meat or cheese and nuts is very taxing on the digestive system because each protein requires a specific amount of digestive juice to be secreted. Eating too much concentrated starch foods at a meal may lead to fermentation. Our body's digestive system isn't designed to handle complex meals, so try to keep it simple.

1. Eat Starches with Veggies or low sugar fruits (i.e Avocados). Don't eat starches with Animal Protein, acids, fruits or oil. Eating starches with sugars (i.,e jam, honey, syrup) will produce fermentation. Again, this is contrary to much of the America diet; i.e. peanut butter and jam sandwiches, pancakes and syrup, toast and honey.

1. Low acid/sugar - high water content veggies combine with EVERYTHING! You can enjoy them with protein, starch, oils and other veggies! These vegetables largely reflect your body's composition of 70% water or more so load up on as many of these as you can.

1. Eat high sugar fruit on its own and in moderation. Fruits high in sugar are acid forming and digest extremely rapidly. Further, eat melons separately because they don't combine well with other foods due to the speed in which they digest.

1. Eat healthy oils with vegetables and low sugar fruits (i.e tomatoes and avocados, bell peppers, lemons and limes). Don't eat oils with protein because some foods i.e nuts are 50% fat and require 11 hours to digest!*

Other principles of proper digestion:

- Don't wash down food with a drink (including water) as it dilutes the digestive juices. Drink before eating or 1 hour after a meal, especially if the meal included animal protein.

- Chew food close to liquid consistency. We can assimilate and enjoy the nutrients only from those foods which are liquefied.

- Our body is 70% water so try to enjoy foods that reflect this consistency. You should aim for ~70% of your diet to be water and water rich foods, ~20% to be starches, ~5-7% protein and the rest healthy oils.*

More on the Water You Drink...

Water is the most important element to becoming and staying healthy. Because our body is 70% water (our blood is 94%!) we need to give our body plenty of pure - alkaline water. Alkaline water is oxygen rich and is more easily absorbed into the body tissues. It is 6 times more hydrating that regular water, offering improved detoxification and health benefits. Using a water ionizer is a convenient way to convert tap water to strong alkaline water. Drinking high quality water is a key element in the digestive process and is vital to achieving and maintaining outstanding health and vitality.

To learn more about water ionizers and the benefits of drinking alkaline water visit us at http://www.e-smartliving.com. To receive a printable copy of the Food Combining Guide email us at info@e-smartliving.com.

Basic Food Combining Guide

* The pH Miracle by Robert O. Young and Shelley Redford Young, 2006

DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only. The author of this article is not a medically trained physician; therefore, any theories or suggestions put forward are intended to supplement and not replace the advice of medically or legally trained professionals. All matters concerning your health require medical supervision. Please ensure that you consult your doctor prior to adopting any suggestions put forward by e-SmartLiving, as well as about any condition that may require medical diagnosis or medical attention. E-SmartLiving is not responsible in any manner whatsoever for any injury sustained either directly or indirectly from information put forward in this article

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