Part 3 of Eating Well…Feeling Satisfied…And Losing Weight!*

By Pam Anderson, DNM, RN, AHNA, CNHP

Greetings, Beloved Reader! It is my prayer for you – and the desire of your Heavenly Father – that you prosper and be healthy in your soul (mind—thoughts and emotions) and in your body (3 John 1:2). May Part 3 of this series impart to you the knowledge you need to be healthy!

Let’s spend a few moments in review:

• Part 1 – we discussed the basis for the Glycemic Index
  • The GI eating plan adjusts for personal preferences and lifestyles and helps achieve goals for blood glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides levels, blood pressure, and weight management.
  • There are no counting calories or jeopardizing your health when using the GI as a guide to healthier eating.
• Part 2 – we discussed the basis of digestion:
  • Simply stated, digestion is the mechanical and chemical breaking down of food so it can be absorbed.
  • Tips for better digestion:
    • Digestibility
    • Healthy eating pattern

• Low glycemic foods
• Food combining

Today, we will delve further into food combining. Relax! It really does work!

Why Should I Consider Food Combining:

Okay, Beloved Reader, your bemoaning of this series is heard! Believe me, I can identify with you. First the glycemic index, then all those tips for better digestion, and now…food combining! Have you ever eaten a meal or a snack only to discover within a short period of time, you are experiencing indigestion, bloating, or gas? I have! My symptoms progressed until I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and eventually, my symptoms became so severe a cholecystectomy (gallbladder surgery) was performed. My journey towards optimum health has opened my eyes to consequences of proper vs. improper food combining. And you, Beloved Reader, may be experiencing similar ill-health symptoms* as I once had. Those symptoms of indigestion, bloating, gas and irritable bowel behavior may be related to improper food combining…and if that is the case, you can alleviate these symptoms with proper food combining.

What Is Food Combining:

First, let’s examine the principles behind food combining. Consider the stomach as a butter churn. Its responsibility is to churn…or break food down…via chemical and enzymatic activity. The stomach’s chemical/enzymatic activities are dependent upon alkalinity or acidity of the nutrients to be broken down. Alkalis and acids are opposites…alkalis and acids will neutralize one another. This neutralization process may hinder or completely arrest digestion. The end result: fermentation and putrefaction of the foods eaten. Due to undigested, fermented and putrefied food wastes, such as protein, exaggerated immune and endocrine responses may result. These responses can eventually trigger an autoimmune response with the potential to develop into an autoimmune disorder/disease. Some types of autoimmune diseases have been correlated to poor digestion, metabolism and assimilation of nutrients. These include: diabetes, thyroiditis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, celiac disorders, Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis, and arthritis to name a few.

As you can see, Beloved Reader, there are sound physiological reasons for food combining. Food combining is dictated by chemistry. Different foods will digest differently. Starchy foods require an alkaline medium for digestion while protein foods require an acid medium for digestion.

While I am an advocate for food combining, I understand that life-style changes must occur in “bite-size” pieces. For people who have not been diagnosed with serious or life-threatening disease processes, less perfect combinations may be eaten. However, as with any positive life-style changes, the more we know, the more we grow in health!

Tips for food combining:

1. Oils and fats should be used in moderation. Restrict the use of margarine or other hydrogenated oils.
2. Proteins and starches digest poorly together; therefore, limit or restrict combining these.
3. Vegetables and starches combine well together.
4. Vegetables and proteins combine well together.
5. Acid fruits and sweet fruits digest poorly together; therefore, limit or restrict combining these.
6. Acid fruits and sub-acid fruits combine well together.
7. Sweet fruits and sub-acid fruits combine well together.
8. Melons should be eaten alone as they do not digest well with other foods; however, any of the melons can be combined together.
9. Fruits should not be combined with vegetables or grains; however, there is an exception to this rule: Leaf lettuce or celery may be combined with fruits to help deal with the excessive sugars.

Food Charts:

OILS / FATS	Butter, avocado (best mixed with green veggies or sub-acid fruits), olive oil, flax seed oil, coconut oil, almonds, pecans, pumpkin seeds, sunflowers seeds
PROTEINS	Seeds, nuts, meats, dairy, dried peas and beans and all other bean products
STARCHES	Potatoes, parsnips, corn, pasta, bread, winter squash, lima beans, pumpkins, coconut, yams, most legumes, whole-grain cereals, brown and wild rice, all grains
VEGETABLES	Asparagus, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery, red/yellow/green peppers, leaf lettuce and endive, cabbage, cucumbers, eggplant, spinach, string beans, kale, parsley, and tomatoes
SWEET FRUITS	Bananas, papaya, Thompson and Muscat grapes, persimmon, dates, figs, raisins, prunes, other dried fruits
ACID FRUITS	Strawberries, grapefruit, oranges, tangelos, kiwi, pineapple, raspberries, cran-berries, gooseberries, tangerines, limes, kumquat, sour plums, pomegranates
SUB-ACID FRUITS	Apples, apricots, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, nectarines, peaches, pears, mangos, peaches, pears, mangos, plums, most grapes, passion fruit, guava, papaya (**Lemons may be combined with all food types and its juice may be used to replace vinegar in recipes)
MELONS	Honey Dew, Cantaloupe, Watermelon
LEMONS	Though considered an acid fruit by many, the lemon actually promotes alkalinity. Fresh lemon juice in distilled water (without sweetener) is a safe, easy method for cleansing the kidneys.

Obviously, these charts don’t comprise all food combination possibilities. Multiple food combining books are on the market. If you’d like more information, I’d suggest you surf the net or invest in a book.

Once again, Beloved Reader, we are out of space. Next week, we will close this series with Part 4. Until then:

Remember, it’s your health…your life…live responsibly!

*Warning: Before beginning any new health program, please check with the healthcare provider of your choice before starting.

Pam Anderson has earned the credentials of Doctor of Naturopathic Ministry and has actively worked in the field of nursing as a Registered Nurse for 31 years. She is also an Ordained Minister. Pam sees her role as a teacher or consultant. She believes in the body’s innate, God-given, natural ability to heal itself when given an appropriate internal and external environment. Her years of experience in the ministry, medicine, and natural health field enables her to counsel individuals, couples and/or families on the principles for life, health and wellness of body, mind (soul) and spirit as established in God’s Word. Pam and her husband, Ron Anderson, operate several natural health clinics. They travel the country as motivational speakers sharing their knowledge of Biblical principles for life, health and wellness. They have been married for 37 years.

For more information on Pam, natural health alternatives, integrative medicine and/or to receive her free newsletter, please visit: www.newhorizonsnaturalhealthcare.com.