So, my last article on the guidelines of proper food combining may have been a bit discouraging to some folks. Believe me, when I first learned about these “food rules”, it took me a while to accept many of them as well. Maybe my biggest initial heartbreak was the elimination of yogurt in my fruit smoothies. I have since gotten over this loss, and I must mention, feel much better after my smoothies now as a result!
Despite the importance of proper food combining, I have decided to add this article for several reasons. The first is in the hope you do not get overwhelmed by all the rules of food combining, since there are indeed many! Second is the idea that none of us are perfect and we can’t possibly practice these guidelines 100% of the time. Besides, what fun is life without breaking the rules once and awhile! So read up and find some intelligent ways to play around a little!
Tips to Lessen the Effect of Improper Food Combining
- Naturally having a strong agni, or digestive fire, will help aid in the digestion of improper food combining and reduce potential toxic build-up.
- Having an occasional poor food combination will not have as detrimental effects compared to eating the combination on a consistent basis.
- Eating in moderation will also help to keep the fire strong, as over-sized meals tend to be heavy and taxing to the digestive tract.
- Adding spices and herbs to a meal will increase digestion and weaken the effects of an improper food combination. Spices that increase digestion include ginger, black pepper, cumin, fennel, coriander, and black mustard seed.
- Adding ghee to a meal is very beneficial to aid digestion.
- Cooking foods together is another good way to help them “get along” and reduce improper combining effects.
- The complete digestive process tends to take about 5-6 hours to fully complete and therefore meals should be about this amount of time apart. This allows the digestive fire to rest and will give it a break between meals allowing it to remain robust. When one is constantly grazing or eating meals too close to each other, not only is there typically improper food combining involved, but the agni is constantly burning and will eventually diminish due to exhaustion and overuse.
Thank you for the info! The food combining can be a challenge. I was looking up everywhere if you could eat rice with chicken and I saw that you could. However, here you say you shouldn’t. What would pair best with proteins such as chicken? I figured I am vata/pitta. Thank you so much. By the way, I love your site, just found it today!
Hi Maria,
According to the research I have read, meat and starches/grains do not digest well together. If you eat this regularly, you may want to instead pair the rice with a legume, as this creates a “perfect protein” and provides a great source of all of the essential amino acids.
The chicken can be eaten separately with some sautéed or steamed veggies for better digestion as well. If you are more Vata by nature, simply make sure to cook the veggies well and use lots of oil or ghee.
I hope this finds you well!
Namaste,
Danielle
Danielle,
Thank you so much for your response, makes sense 🙂 I have one very important question, I seem to get very bloated at night whenever I eat rice, even basmati, even if I soak it first. (I am also do not eat gluten). I feel best eating grain free with veggies, proteins. I wanted to know if there was a substitution for the rice for the kitchari. I really want to bring my digestive system to balance. Could I mix it with a cooked vegetable? Thank you so much!
Hi Maria,
If you are experiencing gas and bloating from any food, it is best to avoid that food. Although basmati rice is said to be easily digested, this is a very general statement, and indeed many individuals do not digest grains, not white rice well.
You will likely do better making your kitchari with quinoa (find a recipe here) which is lighter and less starchy than rice.
If you do not wish for any grains however, you can simply make a dal using lots of veggies, which can be equally as tasty! Here are a few recipes for my Red Lentil Dal and Chana and Mung Dal that I enjoy. I hope you can enjoy them too:)
Namaste,
Danielle
Hi Danielle
My three years old has become intolerant to dairy, gluten, eggs, soya,nuts, corn, buckwheat, greens, citrus fruits,dry fruits, avacado
Any of these foods can flare up her bowels… give her stomach pain, lose firmed stools and all over body itch.
She has recently started loosing hair and I feel de motivated in life.
Any advise?
Kind regards
Dee
Hi Dee,
Thank you for writing in! It sounds potentially serious and I would recommend taking her to an allergist as well as her primary care physician to make sure there is not an underlying condition.
In the meantime, I would keep her diet very simple and avoid all processed foods, refined sugar, and packaged foods. Instead, provide her with easy-to-digest meals that are homecooked using whole food ingredients (and of course avoid any foods that flare up her bowels). Keep her daily routine very consistent, providing her with early bedtimes, nap or quiet time mid-day, and a regular meal schedule. You can try calming activities in the evening such as warm baths and oil massage (even if only on her feet) to reduce any potential stress or anxiety.
Many blessings to you and your little one!
Namaste,
Danielle