Is Food Combining A Sham?
Some form of food combining has been included in many different approaches to
health over the years, but in 1951 Herbert M. Shelton brought it to the attention of the
general public with the publication of his booklet, Food Combining Made Easy. Later,
Harvey and Marilyn Diamond made a strong case for food combining in their bestseller Fit
For Life, published in 1985. Its proponents claim that combining foods in a specific way
promotes easier digestion, helps the body maintain its ideal weight, and results in greater
energy and a sense of well-being. But does it really work?
Although there appears to be no scientific evidence to support the practice, many people sing its
praises, from health practitioners to popular health and personal development writers like Suzanne
Somers and Anthony Robbins. Perhaps the easiest way to decide if food combining is for you is to
take it for a test run and notice how your body responds.
Here are the basic principles of food combining:
1. Vegetables combine well with all other food categories, with the exception of fruits which
should be eaten alone.
VEGETABLES
Non-Starch
Asparagus
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Celery
Chard
Chicory
Collard Greens
Cucumber
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Dandelion
Eggplant
Endive
Escarole
Green Beans
Kale
Kohlrab
Okra
Parsnip
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Rutabaga
Spinach
Sprouts
Summer Squash
Green Peppers
Tomatoes
Turnips
Water Cress
Zucchini
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Mild Starch
Artichokes
Beets
Carrots
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Cauliflower
Celery Root
Corn
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Mushrooms
Peas
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Irritants
Garlic
Onion
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Leeks
Radishes
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Scallions
Shallots
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2. The two most concentrated foods - proteins and starches - should NOT be eaten at the same
meal.
PROTEIN
Meat
Fowl
Fish
Eggs
Dairy Products
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Soybeans
Legumes
Nuts
Seeds
Yogurt
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STARCH
Biscuits
Breads
Cereals
Crackers
Dried Beans
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Grains
Pasta
Potatoes
Pumpkin
Squash (winter)
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3. Fats and oils combine well with starches and vegetables, but not with protein. If you must have
fats with protein, offset it with a green vegetable salad.
FATS
Avocado
Butter
Cream
Lard
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Olives
Margarine
Sour Cream
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OILS
Avocado
Canola
Corn
Nut
Olive
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Safflower
Sesame
Soy
Sunflower
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4. Fruit should be eaten alone, preferably on an empty stomach or 3 hours after eating. After
you've eaten fruit, wait 20-30 minutes before consuming any other food.
FRUIT
Acidic
Blackberries
Grapefruit
Kumquat
Lemon
Lime
Orange
Pineapple
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Plums
Pomegranate
Raspberries
Strawberries
Tangerines
Tangelos
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Sub-Acidic
Apple
Apricot
Blueberries
Cherries
Figs
Grapes
Kiwi Fruit
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Loquats
Nectarines
Papaya
Peach
Pear
Plums (Sweet)
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Sweet
Bananas
Dates
Dried Fruit
Grapes
Persimmon
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Melon
Cantaloupe
Casaba
Honeydew
Musk
Watermelon
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5. Drink liquids in between meals, never during or immediately after, as this dilutes the digestive
juices.
If you're curious about food combining, you can learn more from clicking on the link below. Or you
can follow the basic principles for a week or two and make note of any changes you experience as a
result.
Click here to visit our Food Combining Resources.
> > Printer Friendly Food Combining Chart
Disclaimer:
It's important that you consult with a qualified health professional before
embarking on any new dietary or exercise regimen.
Gathering information online is fine for research purposes, but you need a real
live professional to monitor your progress if you attempt to make drastic changes
to your lifestyle. Unless you're a health professional yourself, you aren't
equipped to objectively observe your body's responses to a new diet or exercise
program. So whatever your chosen course of action, please be sure you enlist the
support of a qualified professional.
Read our full Disclaimer here.
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