Research says that many gastronomical problems like indigestion, fermentation and gas are due to poor food combinations. SANGEETA YADAV brings you a few combos that one should avoid and the best substitute for it
No two proteins together
Excess of protein intake will lead to fat formation causing other health hazards. Concentrated proteins take a long time to break down affecting the digestive system and depleting energy. It also stimulates the growth of bad cholesterol. Thus, cheese omelette, milk and curd etc are all wrong food combinations.
Milk with fish or meat
One of the most important food combination to keep in mind is not to have uncooked milk with fish or meat. Milk is a cold component and a source of protein and calcium whereas fish or meat are a heating component which can cause disturbance of digestive enzymes. Though there is no scientific evidence that says milk and fish is a bad combination, as per the Ayurveda, fish with milk are incompatible. It impairs the blood flow and obstructs the channels of circulation.
Milk with egg
For some, scrambled egg or boiled eggs with a glass of milk is the best breakfast but if one consumes uncooked milk with eggs, it can cause stomach upset. Eggs are a great source of protein, amino acids and healthy fats. But to combine it with milk, which is a good source of protein and calcium, it can lead to bacterial infection, food poisoning and biotin deficiency as the protein in egg binds with biotin and prevents its absorption.
The best way to combine milk and egg is to cook the egg and milk that will balance out the protein intake. Those, who are into body building, often have four-five raw eggs in milk to get more proteins in their body, but it can increase the risk of heart problems since eggs are high in cholesterol. Moreover, raw eggs have a risk of producing salmonella, which can increase the risk of food poisoning. Cooked eggs have lesser possibilities of food poisoning and other bacterial infections.
The trick to eat raw eggs is to have it milk that is pasteurised. Moreover, to get more protein, the best replacement of eggs is chickpeas. It’s also best to eat meat in the last course of your meal. Start with light vegetables and then consume protein-rich foods later.
Egg with soy milk should also be avoided. “The trypsin in the soyabean will combine with the protease enzyme and affect its ability to digest all the essential amino acids present in the egg,” Sakshi Chopra, Bariatric Nutritionist, Jaypee Hospital, Noida, says.
A no-no to hot and cold
Mutton and watermelon
Eating cold foods like milk with fish or meat, which are hot foods can cause disturbance of the digestive enzymes. Eating mutton and watermelon should also be avoided. Watermelon is a cold food, while mutton is considered a hot food. Taking both together can lead to an upset stomach.
Curd and fish or meat
Curd is cold in nature and rich in calcium whereas fish is considered hot in nature as it is rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Many people complain of skin allergies due to intake of both. It can also result into white patches on skin. But consuming fish or meat with buttermilk separately is a safer option.
To avoid
When you eat animal-protein foods like eggs, fish, poultry, red meat with a starchy vegetable or grains like artichokes, carrots, corn, oats, peas, potatoes, rice, wheat, winter squash and yams, both grains and starchy vegetables break down into simple sugars. Coating your protein foods with sugars creates compounds called advanced glycation end products (AGEs) which can cause inflammation. It can lead to diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. When eaten together, animal-protein and starchy foods also are much more difficult to digest.
“The digestion of protein with starchy foods is difficult as meat requires an acidic medium and starchy vegetables like potatoes require alkaline digestive environment. This combination generally causes flatulence and bloating,” Chopra, says.
Instead, eat animal protein with non-starchy vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, onion, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, garlic, green beans, leafy greens such as kale and collards, sea vegetables such as wakame and dulse and zucchini. Fish with stir-fried nonstarchy vegetables is a good combination.
Carbohydrates like rice should not be consumed with proteins like meat, fish and chicken. When both are consumed together, the acid and alkali react to neutralise each other, hindering digestion. Combinations like potatoes and meat, or rice and chicken should be eaten separately for optimum digestion. Rice or roti with subzi, boiled potato with sauteed veggies are a good combo since they are both carbs.
Incompatible