All natural fruits and vegetables are good for you, but you might not be aware that you’re not supposed to mix certain ones! Take cucumbers and tomatoes for example.
Cucumbers and tomatoes are fantastic for our bodies. Both are loaded with water, antioxidants, nutrients, and vitamins. However, according to Ayurveda, it’s best not to mix them in the same salad! The reason lies in the digestion time of these ingredients.
When you mix vegetables that digest at different rates, it can cause issues. The lighter ingredient can move through the intestine just as the heavier one is starting to digest. This can lead to food fermentation in your stomach, potentially poisoning your body. It can also slow down your digestion, cause fermentation of sugars and starches, and make your meal less enjoyable. Worse still, fermentation may produce gas, bloating, and stomach discomfort.
Besides cucumbers and tomatoes, there are other food combinations you should avoid for optimal digestive health. Let’s explore them:
Fruits After a Meal
Fruits require a lot of time to digest and should not remain in the stomach for too long. Eating them after a meal can lead to acid reflux and other digestive issues.
Meat and Cheese
Having too much protein in one meal is not advisable. Stick to one type of protein per meal to avoid digestive problems.
Macaroni and Cheese (or Macaroni and Meat)
This popular combination should be avoided. Macaroni, rich in starch, has a different digestion time than proteins. This delay can cause fermentation and other digestive issues.
Veggies and Cheese
Combining vegetables and cheese can increase the risk of bloating.
Bread or Noodles with Orange Juice
The acid in orange juice can destroy enzymes responsible for starch digestion, causing digestive problems.
Melon and Watermelon
These fruits are best consumed alone and not mixed with other fruits.
Bananas and Milk
This combination is known to slow down digestion.
Fruits and Yogurt
Although a popular breakfast item, this combo can slow down digestion and harm the intestinal flora.