Food Combination Questions???

[gatorgrrl]

When I was first exposed to raw food lifestyle I was taught:

Fruit first (don't mix melons with anything) wait 20 minutes

then eat other foods

eat fruit on a empty stomach (at least 2 hours empty)

....well I struggled with this....and this had alot to do with why I didn't stay raw.....this last time going raw.....I am doing great and I contribute it too my one rule law which is

1.) Eat it Raw

I eat whatever raw I want whenever I want and its easy this time.

Has anyone else heard of these theories and what are your thoughts?

I think that a proper combination of raw food is probally great in theory and some I am sure really do this, gosh I sure did try, but I just haven't reached that level yet in my growth.

Sometimes I want my fruit first, sometimes after, and sometimes I want it all together, with no wait time. I am a nibbler. I nibble on fruit, nuts, seeds, and lettuce all day usually and I keep it mixed and varied.

[pdx kris]

I think food combining is an evolution that takes place after you've been raw for quite a while. Your rule to just keep it raw when first starting out is perfect. :)

[DavidZaneMason]

Kris is right!

-A basic rule would be that fruit digest very fast - and roughage, animal products and processed foods digest very slow. Never put very fast digestion stuff right after very slow digestion stuff.

-David Mason

[Brianna]

I food combine properly most of the time, but I don't stick to it hard and fast. I give myself some leeway for when I want to make a recipe, etc. Also in social situations where fruit is served for dessert or at raw potlucks (where it's really hard to food combine) or when I just want to have more fun with my food, I'm not anal about it.

[JMD]

I adhere to food combining 95% of the time b/c my digestion is in the "repairing " mode so I need to. BUT I do find greens and fruits digest well too. SO in addition to the good advise already my thoughts are --if you are bloated enoguh after you eating things that are not combined well You will food combine b/c you just do not want to feel like that. IF it is not a problem HEY why fix/change it:)

In-joy your journey.

[JEN]

I agree that just sticking with raw for now is the most important thing unless you have digestive problems of any sort. Fruit digests much quicker than other foods and when you eat them together it slows down the digestive process of the fruits and can cause gas and bloating. I love the taste of coconut with fresh o.j. but it always blows me up.

[julesmoz]

I agree that proper food combining comes more naturally after you've been raw for a while. You're definitely smart to just keep it raw for now, and not worry about the order. Once you get into the groove of what/how much you generally eat at one sitting, you'll be able to order it correctly :)

I was wondering if food combining is still important when everything is going into a smoothie. Any opinions?

[veganman]

Juliesmoz -

I also have that question - like with greens and fruit in a green smoothie.

Also, there appears to be different theories around the time-lines one needs to wait between categories. For instance Brian Clement states something like an hour and a half to 2 and a half hours after one type of fruit (he has sweet, acid, and sub-acid), whereas other supporters say 30 minutes. Also, there is contradictions with tomatoes, avocadoes, etc.

How does one determine what is "correct"?