Food combining: what's behind it?

The principle of food combining was established at the beginning of the 20th century by New York doctor William Howard Hay and is still very popular today. According to this principle, hardly anything has to be omitted from the diet in general; meals should only contain either carbohydrate or protein-containing foods. The quantity and energy values are not restricted.

According to Hay's theory, people cannot digest the combined intake of protein and carbohydrates, which leads to acidification of the body. This can have health consequences such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity or even heart disease.

This theory has now been scientifically refuted. Nevertheless, there are positive effects of the change in diet. Followers of the food combining theory speak of possible weight loss as well as an improvement in gastrointestinal function and bowel movements.

How food combining works

The food combining diet recommends eating carbohydrate-containing foods in the morning and evening and protein-containing foods at lunchtime. Neutral foods that can also be eaten include vegetables, salad, avocado, fats, oils, certain dairy products (fat content over 60%), mushrooms, blueberries and melons.

The group of protein-containing foods includes Meat, fish, seafood, cheese, soy products, most fruits and nuts, eggs and dairy products (fat content less than 50%).

The carbohydrate group includes bread, wheat flour products, cakes, pasta, potatoes, rice, sugar and bananas.

However, this diet is not completely without carbohydrates. According to Hay, pulses, nuts, etc. are not suitable foods as they contain both carbohydrates and protein. But scientifically speaking, the potatoes and cereals included by Hay also belong to this type of food.

Losing weight with food combining?

In any case, one of the advantages of the food combining diet is that you consciously deal with your diet and fattening foods such as chips, burgers or pasta are removed from the menu. As the meals should also consist mainly of vegetables, salad or fruit, they are healthier per se. Weight loss is therefore also actually possible with this long-term change in diet.

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