[SS] Food Combining Principles

[Debaroo]

Hi People:

I don't know how many of you on this list are familiar with the food combining principles of not mixing proteins with starches and only eat your fruit in the morning on an empty stomach. You can eat veggies with starches. This is the basics of natural hygiene - the premise of "Fit For Life". I would say that low carbing is definitely food combining in that we try to not eat carbs, but eat only protein and veggies.

Has anyone tried food combining? I've dabbled in it, but never took it too seriously. I know I've only been doing low carbs for less than a week - but I can tell you that the thoughts of never having pasta again really bugs me. One can have pasta with great veggies sauces without adding protein - therefore sticking to food combining principles....and supposedly the body can handle this without the weight gain.

Just wondering if anyone has seriously done food combining and if they found the results acceptable?

Thanks,

[Tinakaye]

I've never tried it but read a book on it......... lol it was just to confusing for me to get. But if your considering doing it more seriously then the best of luck to you!

[tamarian]

I think this is the main idea behind the Montignac diet, in a nut shell it doesn't allow combining fat with carbs. Meals are either protein and fat, or protein and carbs.

Wa'il

[Debaroo]

Hi Tamarian:

No food combining principles are definitely against combining protein with carbs! It has to do with the stomach acid. There is one acid to break down proteins and another to break down carbs. When one eats protein and carbs at the same meal these two acids interefer with each other (one acidic and one is alkaline) - that is why most people experience "heartburn" - the two acids competing with each other - cancelling each other out and the food, instead of digesting, just sits in the stomach and rots - expelling gasses.

The basic premis of food combining.

Between midnight and noon eat nothing but fresh fruit (because the body is in the ellimination stage and shouldn't have to deal with digestion - but fruit digests in 20 minutes therefore it doesn't disrupt the ellimination stage).

Afternoon, you can eat other foods, but never combine protein with a carb (NEVER). If you eat a meal that has flesh, then you should wait something like 4 hours before you eat food again so that this food has time to pass out of the stomach. Flesh foods take longer to digest.

If you eat fruit - wait 20 minutes before you eat any other type of food. And NEVER eat fruit in combination with anything else - meaning don't eat it after a meal as a dessert - because it digests so quickly, if other food is in the stomach it will just ferment in the stomach and cause problems.

If you eat a meal that is veggies and carbs you can eat another meal in 3 hours because it digests quicker. Veggies can digest in both types of stomach acid that is why they can be combined with both proteins and starches without causing digestive upsets.

Eat as much high water content food as possible and as much fresh food as possible, meaning try not to cook your food too much - this destrory life-giving enzymes.

The idea behind food combining is that the body works in cycles and we tend to keep piling in food all the time, and food that doesn't compliment each other. So, the body cannot handle all this food, so it just stores it as fat so that it can deal with it later...but later never comes because we keep piling food into our bodies - and usually improperly combined food at that.

My main reason for asking the questions was wondering whether if one eats carbs - such as whole wheat breads and pastas (not junk food) but doesn't combine it with a protein whether this will cause insulin levels to rise or remain the same? Thus still be burning fat - yet being able to enjoy carbs too.

Do you think Atkins would know the answer?

Regards,

[r.mines]

Well, Debaroo, I'm no expert in the subject, but when you go to the doctor to get your blood sugar levels tested, you're supposed to fast for some hours beforehand. Then you're given a sugary drink (no protein) and afterwards your blood is tested to see how you've metabolized the sugar. If sugar, and therefore insulin, levels *didn't* rise in the absence of protein, I don't see how this test could work; EVERYONE would test normal!

I've probably got this scrambled; Doreen, or other knowledgeable souls, help?


Rachel

[Karen]

Hi Debaroo,

I food combined about 13 years ago but opted for the vegetarian version - just vegetables and carbs - so I didn't switch back and forth with protien and vegetables. Did fruit in the morning and then had a fruit snack 4 hours after the last meal. I was in Mexico for 3 months at that time, so it was pretty easy to do with all the great fruits, tortillas and vegetables. When I look back, I realize I was starving myself. I took their vegetarian principles very seriously and ate very little fat as well.

Have a look at Suzanne Sommers book. It's what food combining transformed into and there is much more variety in eating. However, if you're a sugar junkie, eating any carbs at all can be dangerous and set you off on a binge or have you fall off the wagon for a long period of time.

Some people are successful with the Carbohydrate Addict's Diet where you get a "reward meal" once a day that is a balanced amount of protien, vegetable and carbs. The same warning applies to this too.

Personally, I try to stick to foods as close to their natural state as possible. When you combine flour and liquid together, no matter if it ends up as pasta or bread, you are eating glue. This is what I tell myself.

After you're in the low-carb swing of things, eating carbs will make you feel so yukky that you'll wonder why you bothered. This comes from someone who woke up with a huge carb hangover on Monday from indulging in dessert on Easter. It will now take me at least 4 days to get back on track. :o

With all that said, we're all unique and with determination and trial and error, we all develop an LC way of eating different from everone else that keeps us happy and healthy. :D

Karen

[r.mines]

Something else I've never understood about food combining (though I've never read the book which might explain it) is that some carb foods also contain significant amount of protein. For example, combining beans and grains will yield a complete protein, yet they are both carby foods.

Well, I don't want to get into a debate here, and food combining (a la Fit for Life) obviously works for some people. I suppose anything that focuses on whole foods and eliminates processed carbs and sugars has got to be an improvement over the 'typical' North American diet!

Rachel

[Debaroo]

Thanks Karen for your first-hand experience with food combining. I guess I just have to stick this out and get over the carb addiction. I do know that I am addicted - BIG TIME. Been two days now with no caffeine - but I had to take an IBprofin this morning due to headache.

Hope your hangover is short lived :)

Regards,

[doreen T]

Well, I've typed up two big, long, detailed posts here, and crashed both times, losing everything, including my mind. This is my third and last attempt... :mad:

Anyway, I too dabbled in food combining a la Fit for Life. However the original concept of separating foods that require different digestive processes was developed by an American Dr. William Hay, in the early 1900's. His program, known as "Haying" was in fact, much closer to what we now know as the Paleo Diet. He suggested the diet should be based mostly on vegetables and fruits, supplemented with lean meats, fowl, fish and eggs. Soured dairy products were preferred, such as yogurt, buttermilk and fresh cottage cheeses. Dairy butter only and pure olive oil, no margarine. Grains, breads, baked goods and especially legumes/pulses were frowned upon as being difficult to digest and the cause of much evil in the intestines. Under no circumstance were they to be eaten at the same time as simple to digest meats. Vegetables and non-sweet fruits however, were "neutral", and could be eaten with any food.

In the '80s, the push was on to a more vegetarian, grain-based diet; meat and cholesterol was Public Enemy Numero Uno. Fit for Life, and other similar plans took the original concept of separating foods, and completely changed it to the "modern" philosophy.

Fats, not meat protein, slows the digestive process. When lowcarbing, this is beneficial for providing satiety, and to slow the blast of carbohydrate into the bloodstream, which would otherwise cause a rapid rise in blood sugar and insulin.

Deb, the cravings will disappear, honest. Browse through our member's recipes, and Karen's gourmet recipes (on the red menu bar at the top of the page) or check out Lowcarb Cafe, and Lowcarb Luxury, among many others. You'll find many recipes for lowcarb substitutes for pastas, breads, etc .... Many folks report how healthy, and energetic they feel when lowcarbing, then cave in to craving and go on a wild carb-binge. They feel sick, bloated, gassy, blah ....

Wow, you're giving up caffeine too?? What a woman! :D

Doreen

[Karen]

Originally posted by r.mines
Something else I've never understood about food combining (though I've never read the book which might explain it) is that some carb foods also contain significant amount of protein. For example, combining beans and grains will yield a complete protein, yet they are both carby foods.



Rachel,

I believe you are thinking about the Diet For a Small Planet combining which combines amino acids to form complete proteins. You bring up an interesting question though about carby foods yielding complete proteins. Hmm...:confused:

Anyway, the Fit for Lifers frowned upon beans because they contained both carbs and proteins.

Karen

[Karen]

Debaroo,

You CAN do it! You just have to want to do it more than anything else in the world. The reasons have to be bigger than the desire for carbs. It isn't easy, but the rewards are tremendous You will be so happy with yourself:D

One day at a time, or better still, one minute at a time and those minutes add up quickly into days.

I can't believe you gave up coffee too. An act of true bravery!

Karen

[Debaroo]

Thanks again for the support. I'm still plugging away. It will be one week tomorrow :0 As for giving up coffee...well, me and Taster's Choice Decaf have formed quite the relationship in the last couple of days. I'm sure decaf is not the greatest thing, but it's warm in my tummy in the morning and I like the flavour (I can hear some of you groan about decaff...and here's the kicker....it's instant!) Ahhhhhh!

I've been looking over those recipes for sure and I'm going to try out that tai chicken (can't remember the exact name) from Karen's gourmet site..the one that you put on a platter. Look yummy :)

I made some lettuce wraps last night (out of my head)...ground beef fryed with onions and garlic. I put a dab of dried mustard in and just a dab of BBQ sauce and a tad of ground corriander. Then chopped up some tomatoe, green onions and shredded some cheddar cheese. I put some ground mixture in big leaves of iceberg lettuce, added a spoonful of the toms, onions, cheese and then rolled them up. Yum. I'm thinking I could also make this into a taco too (without the tortilla).

Cherio,

[r.mines]

Quote: "I made some lettuce wraps last night (out of my head)..." Eeeek!!!! :eek:

Just kidding, Debaroo! Actually, your recipie sounds yumacious!

Rachel

[doreen T]

Actually, Deb and Rachel, lettuce makes great springroll wrappers too. Use the softer leaf-type lettuces. Cook up your favourite eggroll or springroll filling - lamb or pork, mushrooms, sprouts, scallions, ginger, etc - roll up tightly in the lettuce, then eat with your fingers with this dipping sauce -

Spicy Dipping Sauce

1 large clove garlic
1 or 2 small red chilies, seeded
2 tsp granular Splenda (or 1 tsp each Splenda and brown SugarTwin)
juice of half a lime
4 Tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp tamarind paste (if you don't have it, use the whole lime's juice)
====================
- blend everything in blender or food processor.
- makes 1/2 cup, about 5 carbs total .... this is STRONG, a little goes a long way. 1/2 cup is enough for 4 servings ... so just over 1 carb per.

Doreen

[silvia]

Hi Debaroo!!

I read the Fit for Life Book and tried the diet a few times... unfortunately all the fruit gave me violent stomache cramps, and because of the insulin reaction I was always starving. Even though my calories were pretty low I actually gained weight. No comparison to this woe: I feel fit, and strong and specially no pain for me!!!!

Anyway I do believe that first hand experience is the best kind, also because each body is different...

So good luck
Silvia:D

[Debaroo]

Hi Silvia:

No - I'm not thinking of trying Fit for Life - was more wondering whether others have tried and how they compared it to this WOE. I like eating bacon in the morning over fruit - any day! I think bacon is a food group all on it's own!

Grins,

[silvia]

Hi Debaroo!

I agree!!!!!!! And how are cream eggshakes as a food group do you think?!?!?!?:D :D
Bye
Silvia

[Debaroo]

Silivia:

Cream eggshakes???? Do tell me where to get that recipe....yum.

Salivating,

[silvia]

Hi Deb!

Cream eggshake: 1 egg, heavy cream, unsweetened cocoa, sweetener. Beat with blender. Enjoy. MMMMMMMMMHHHH.

Hope you like it
Let me know!!!

Silvia

[Erin4980]

Hello everyone :wave:

I haven't stopped in on the forum in a while, but it's good to be back...I've been on atkins for almost 3 months and I've almost lost 30 lbs. Recently I've started more of a maintenance program, where occasionally I'll have bread with the eggs in the morning and today I had my first piece of fruit (lol) - a banana 9I realize, a poor choice b/c it had 25 carbs). Anyway, I still want to lose another 12, but I'm in no rush - I just bought new clothes...lol. I been thinking about the Somersizing plan, but I'm confused...so when I found this thread I thought it would help...

I want to possibly combine Atkins and Somersizing....so tell me if this is correct - if I eat carbs...they shouldn't be with protein....and if I want fruit, eat it in the morning, on an empty stomach???

If anyone thinks this is a correct, or wrong, let me know - I'm buying the book tonight:)

E

[DebB]

Hi Erin ~ I'd be happy to answer any SSing questions. I've been SSing for 10 months now (cheat free).

You can eat fruit whenever you want ~ it just must be eaten alone and on an empty stomach. For example, you can have fruit first thing in the morning, wait a bit (around 30 minutes for it to be digested and leave your stomach) and then have bacon and eggs, etc.

Carbs are eaten only with veggies. They cannot be combined with any protein or fat. so, if you wanted carbs for b'fast, you could have a bowl of Grape Nuts or Shredded Wheat with fat-free milk and sweetener. *Ü*

[alibabka]

Hi DebB,
What does Somers have to say about whole milk, which has protein, fat, and carbs all together?
Also, do you know where she learned her method of food combining?

[DebB]

Hi alibabka ~ As far as the whole milk, we can't have it for the reasons you stated. We can have fat-free milk which is a carb or we can have cream, full fat which falls into the pro/fat category.

She wrote that she learned her food combining principles while in France. People say it's the same as Michel Montignac (sp), but I'm not familiar with his plan. *Ü*

[alibabka]

Thanks DebB,
Sorry, but I have another question! I forgot to ask about (plain) yoghurt: where does Somers stand on that?

[DebB]

Hi ali ~ Please don't apologize, ask as many questions as you'd like!

For yogurt, we're allowed to have plain, non-fat yogurt, with no added sugar (or fruit). SSers then can sweeten it with a legal sweetner or add some flavored syrups, like DaVinci. This is a carb and can be eaten with a bowl of cereal perhaps.

I'll be honest - I've never bought the plain, non-fat yogurt just to eat. I do use it in muffin recipes however. *Ü*

[sanzal]

On the somersizing plan, are we allowed to have low-fat dairy products such as low-fat cream cheese, cottage cheese, cheese and sour cream?

Or is it supposed to be non-fat to count as a carb and full-fat to count as a pro/fat?

Thanks!

[lyttlefish]

hey gals..
thanks for your great recipes
i cannot wait to try them both
i did once use romaine lettice to make an egg salad sandwich
made the usual filling and spread it onto the romaine leaves
for want of something to put it on an dnotto use bread
well the bonus was the beautiful crunch i got hen eating this
we all like to have a crunch or two
well thansk again
and
debaroo, congrats on the first week...have patience...check your clothes and how they fir as well as that danged scale
have a grea tone
<')))><

[cwacnikken]

I have a lady in Texarkana that used food combining and lost 60 pounds - she ate protein w/veggies/fat and then ate carbs/veggies. I tried it and found it gave me too much lee way with the carbs - didn't work for me.

[DebB]

sanzal ~ On Somersizing, there are no "low fat" products allowed. The fat-free dairy is considered a carb and can be eaten with other carbs and/or veggies. For example: fat free milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, etc.

For a pro/fat, these must be the 'full fat' versions of cheese, cream, whole milk ricotta, etc.

Cottage cheese is 'allowed' only in the fat free version. Hope this helps. *Ü*

[ally62901]

When I think about what carbs I can't have. I think about how I'll miss them. I definitely have a psychological addiction to bread, rice and pasta. Then I'll go to the next level of Atkins and I'll have enough carb grams to have something I really miss and it either doesn't taste good or it makes me foggy headed. I definitely get the carb hangover. Pretty soon I'll stop having my Friday doughnut. It tastes okay, but it messes up my head and my stomach. And I'm getting to the point where I'd rather feel good than eat the "forbidden" food.

[annalabeba]

hi guys, i ve reached my goal already so i thought i could do the food combining thing so i could have some fruits, results, carb binge, i ate a whole box of apple jacks and half a gallon of cookies and cream ice cream, and i feel very slugish, so for me is atkins all the way, is the only way for me, i usually have a cheat day maybe once a month, i dont plan it, but if i go visit somebody and of course all they have is high carb foods i will have it and then the next day i will do induction for 2 days and then back to maintainance. it works for me.

[lyttlefish]

Originally posted by ally62901
And I'm getting to the point where I'd rather feel good than eat the "forbidden" food.

Know exactly what you mean here
i have tried a couple of times to have cake, chocolate etc
and what a bummer
i am happier feeling a 10
have a great day
<')))><

[Marfiah]

Having lived in Europe for the past 17 years, I am very familiar with food combining diets, namely The Montignac Diet. I am currently following this food combining "lifestyle" because it definitely does not feel like dieting! I don't have to miss out on any food, including chocolate and wine, as long as I follow the general guidelines for when and how it's eaten. It's based on the low-glycemic values of foods and how our bodies metabolize foods. Two summers ago I lost almost 20kg (45 lbs) in about four months and I really, really didn't feel like I missed out on anything. I was actually eating very healthy, because the Montignac way recommends not eating any white, processed foods, yet you can have whole wheat spaghetti, and whole wheat bread, with vegetables or pesto, and other lovely recipes. He also advises not overcooking foods or vegetables as that also raises the glycemic level of foods. He has just published a book adapted to the NOrth American foods called "Eat Yourself Slim" which you can order from amazon.com. I also have the recipe and menu book which has a lot of delicious suggestions! Good luck and let me know how things are working out.

[Vonnovich]

I tried "Fit for Life" 15 years ago. Worked well. Even tried to beat the fruit in the morning thing. I'd eat 15 pieces of fruit and still lost some weight. I quit because I couldn't take the caffeine withdrawal headaches. I'm now doing Atkins, and caffeine. (I know, I know) and have more sucess than I have ever experianced before. LC is not hard for me to stick too because I love to eat and I'm not staving my body or my mind, (which is what I was trying to do with low calorie diets).

I do believe that food combining has some merits, and I do miss fruit. When I get closer to my goal weight I may try the fruit in the morning and see what happens..

Either way I have dropped 2 sizes which is certainly better than going the other way.

[lyttlefish]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Marfiah
[B]I don't have to miss out on any food, including chocolate and wine, as long as I follow the general guidelines for when and how it's eaten. It's based on the low-glycemic values of foods and how our bodies metabolize foods

Thank you so much for the update on Food-combining
I had heard of this WOE but was not familiar with the rules
I follow Aitken's but do so miss the fruit, chocolate and wine.
Although I have a glass of wine or two on one weekend evening with my dinner.

when i get closer to my goal weigh i think i too will try this out
thanks again
<')))><

[Annie2802]

Originally posted by Tinakaye
I've never tried it but read a book on it......... lol it was just to confusing for me to get. But if your considering doing it more seriously then the best of luck to you!

How long did it take you to lose that much weight? Was that on the Atkins diet>

[kjjmom66]

Debbie,

I have to say that I think that Fit For Life is a fabulous way of eating. I followed the diet 13 years ago and lost 40 lbs in 4 months. I felt fabulous the whole time I followed it. My skin cleared up, I had lots of energy, my health improved (never got a cold) and I slept soundly at night.

Eating only fruit in the morning was difficult for me at first since it gave me cramps and bloating, but after a week, it was just fine. I realized that my body was detoxifying.

In the end, I found it too hard not to eat a meat sandwich or spaghetti with meat sauce. And having to wait the 4 hours after a meal before being able to eat fruit became tedious for me. But that's just me... I get bored with diets. When i was following it, it worked fantastically for me.

As for the beans being proteins, (somebody commented on that above.. don't remember who..) Fit For Life never frowned upon them! Because they are not animal protein, beans can be combined with carbs no problem. It does not hinder digestion at all.

Now as for Atkin's, I have to admit that I haven't continued to follow the diet. I did the one week induction and followed the plan the second week all while taking potassium supplements. I just felt very tired and almost tipsy the whole time. I lost a lot of weight though... so for that, it worked. I might get back on the wagon and give it another try. I haven't regained a pound of the weight I lost on it.

[Malia1963]

Aloha!
I read the SSing book. It all sound good. Has anyone been doing it?
If so I sure would love to hear from you. I have a friend that's been doing it, BUT.... she was kinda thin to begine with.
Im 5'7 38 yrs old 176lb. My goal weight is 145-148

Mahalo!
Malia

[Glad]

My husband and I are both doing it. My husband bought the book because a guy at work lost 100 pounds on it. He's at goal now, and still following it.

[abbyellen]

Hi Debaroo:
I'm new at this but read your question about food combining. I have three of Suzanne Sommers books and tried it about a year and a half ago. I did lose about 30 pounds but found that I was following the low carb diet pretty well. I didn't eat many carbo meals as I found it hard not to have the fats with them.

[Dandi]

My husband and I are following the food combining WOE using the Hay book and Fit for Life.

In January I started out on Atkins, then decided we wanted more vegetables, so went to the Bernstein diet. And was losing weight slowly. Then in March we were told my husband had a health problem. And believing vegetables are essential for improving one's health, we added still more vegetables with small amounts of proteins. We both started losing faster. I found a copy of the Hay book in a thrift store, bought it and we started eating only fruit from 4 am to noon. A large salad and usually cooked vegetable(s) with a protein for noon. Fruit three hours later. Then another large salad and sometimes a cooked vegetable for dinner.

Within three days my husband's symptoms improved. And I credit it to the cleansing effect of the fruit during the mornings.

Later I found a copy of Fit for Life in the thrift store and used some of the recipes in it.

The interesting thing is that for the past three years, when I would cut back on eating in order to lose weight, my heart would go into a serious tachycardia. I had to eat every three hours just to keep going and couldn't eat fruit for fear of an attack.

But this year, once I got clear off the flour and sugar products -- my system has changed. Not only can I eat fruit through the morning, I can even go without eating without my heart acting up. This is truly remarkable. I never thought I would be able to eat fruit nor to go without eating. I'm convinced there is something in food combining that works for us. What impresses me is what a drastic change has taken place in a relatively short time, since January 17th, 2002, less than 4 months. And I really do not miss the flour and sugar products. Soaked dried fruit medley makes a really tasty food. Raisins and apricots are the least expensive and very flavorful. And even though we are supposed to eat fruit alone when we do eat it, we sometimes, in the afternoon, eat dates stuffed with shredded coconut. That is a real treat, as good as fudge. And a ripe mango is better than ice cream.

I've lost 28 pounds since January 17th. I'm sleeping better -- though that still needs to improve more. And I am more energetic and lighter on my feet. We've been walking every day the weather permits and enjoying it very much.

I was glad to see the topic of "food combining" on here and hope to read more on it.

Dandi

[Vonnovich]

Hi Dandi

Thanks for the information.

I just got back from vacation in the Virgin Islands. I gained 9lb in 2 weeks. I couldn't stick to the Atkins diet. I tried..but food was very expensive and there wasn't the option of being fussy about what you could eat and when. I have been home 3 days and have dropped 6 of the 9lb so far so most of the weight gain must have been fluid. (my husband gained 10lb)

I am going to give the fruit in the morning another try. Do you drink coffee? I am addicted to coffee...I can cut back but not completly....I enjoy it! Do you think this would stop the effect of the fruit in the am?

Let me know how you are doing.

[Dandi]

Hi Vonnovich,
Thank you for your post. I am really new to food combining. Some of the others who have posted on this thread know a lot more than I do. I hope to learn from all of you. All I know is that my husband and I have tried it in a very basic way and we have seen some good results.

No, I don't drink coffee. Haven't drank it in years. Don't even do the decaf type anymore. In fact, lately all I have been drinking is water and the soak water off of dried fruits.

What does amaze me is that I don't crave any of the former foods that seemed to control me and my life. I think grain foods must be very bad for me and also some fatty foods like cream and mayo. Because, since I've given them totally up, I don't have that need to eat so often nor so much that I used to have. I need to eat, of course, to keep up physical strength. But appetite doesn't control me, nor does food, and I really like the sense of being free from that. Wish I was a physician and could explain what has changed in my system.

I did neglect to post above that with our dinner salad we also eat nuts and/or seeds which are, of course, protein too. They go really well in salads.

I don't know if just anyone can do the only-fruit all morning. I couldn't have done it before without getting ill. It was only after a period of going without the grain and sugar foods that my system changed enough so I could do it. So I think a person should go really slow in adjusting to the fruit-alone thing, read up on it and, if possible, consult an expert on that WOE. I have read that the detoxifying process can make a person ill, so think people should go into it with caution and expert advice.

Dandi

[fiona]

I read Fit for Life many years ago - even tried it for several months but I believe it made my carb-addiction worse and did not nourish me sufficiently. Perhaps I didn't do it right - I was vegetarian in those days. I prefer a heavier breakfast and lighter supper.

{The idea behind food combining is that the body works in cycles and we tend to keep piling in food all the time, and food that doesn't compliment each other. ...} I agree with that. There are definite cycles and rhythms to everything in life, including the body. Seasons (Winter/spring etc;) birth/death/?rebirth; action/rest; Tides; Moon; and the same is reflected in the body. However I do not believe fruit before noon is a rhythm/cycle that will suit everyone. Allowing your body enough time to digest and eliminate is basically what "Eat when you are really physically hungry" is all about.

I think it is essential to give some consideration to food combining. The Atkins diet just makes it easier 'cos you stick to proteins all the time. My recent deviations and increasing (or perhaps mixing) carbs certainly brought home to what was going on in the stomach - not pleasant for me or others ;)

I think different plans work for different people and we need to make our choices.

Take care.

[Dandi]

It seems to me that one of the biggest problems in controlling one's weight is knowing which WOE will work for you.

It is apparent from reading the posts on this board that no one WOE works for everyone.

The strictest food combining (by which I mean nearly all vegetables and fruits and nuts/seeds) is working for my husband and I to lose weight and detoxify. But from testimonies I have read on the Internet, it is too strict to stay on permanently. So we have to decide what to add, when and in what quanities.

We have both experienced an improvement in health and we don't want to lose that. We do plan to add foods slowly and keep a food diary so we can check what happens from each food.

Any ideas for us beyond that?

Dandi

[CAKES2GO]

My husband and I have been food combining for a little over a year now on the diet called "Somersizing". He has lost 110 pounds and I have lost about 60. The rules you stated are about right. We can have fruit only on an empty stomache (like early in the morning or three hours after a meal constitutes an empty stomache). Proteins and vegetables are eaten together, (these meals are known as protein/fat meals), or starches such as pasta (whole wheat pastas only), whole grain breads, beans and such can be eaten with vegetables - - only these meals can not have any fat included in them. (These meals are known as carbohydrate meals). I try to drink at least 8 glasses or 64 ounces of water a day, extra if possible, and take a multi vitamine. My weight loss has slowed down considerably since I only have about 20 more pounds to go....but we're still trying.

Hope this helps a little. Read the book...I'm sure you'll find it quite interesting! :)

[bdocili]

For all those considering Food Combining,

1.) It works, but not why you think. You will lose tons of weight if you follow the principles.
2.) It is safe, healthy, but probably unnecessary.

However, there is nothing magic about it and if you figure out why it works you can break some rules.

I have done a decent amount of web research and most nutritionists and doctors don't seem to think that the body really has that much trouble with the combining of NATURAL foods. Most processed foods filled with hydrogenated oils or hypercaloric sugars can cause problems. Maybe they are wrong, but I still don't believe that this causes the weight loss. It probably does help cleanse the body and this will give you more complete nutrition.

Most food combining diets recommend LOTS and LOTS of natural fruits and vegetables. They are FULL OF FIBER which cannot be digested but makes you feel full. Of course you will lose weight. One cup of plain spaghetti has 185 calories. I can usually eat three cups, no problem because by the time my stomach sends me the full signal, I have eaten it all. You have to eat almost 23 cups of brocolli to do the same thing (24 cals/cup instead of 185). Go ahead and try it. Not to mention, when I at my 3 cups of pasta, I always had to drink milk and have meat sauce. My low carb lifestyle helps me control cravings, but the reason I lose weight is the caloric deficit and not some magic (except for the fact that it takes more calories to turn protein into glucose so I am cranking up my basic metabolism just by eating 250 grams of protein each day).

Show me someone who can eat 4000 calories a day on a food combining diet and I promise you, they get fat just like everyone else.

Another good principle you learn. You have to wait several hours to eat something else if you want to switch macronutrients so you learn to space your meals out.

Like I said, this is not rocket science.

[dinamomof4]

:) I have been Somersizing off and on for the last 5 years. I also suffer from depression and when it is full swing I find that I don't care as much about losing weight. But, the program works great and I really do like it. The hardest part was giving up potatoes. I grew up on them and love them very much. After the first week of being on the program, I lost my craving for them and for sugar. So from then on it is easy to follow. But having said all that - I feel strongly that not everyone responds well to this program. I feel that there are those that need to avoid proteins more than carbs based on their chemistry. So for people who try the Somersizing and after 3 months are not noticing a difference I would suggest a low protein diet instead. The reason I say that is because I have friends who have tried Somersizing and were not seeing results so they switched to a low protein diet and saw results almost immediatly. So, I just feel that we all have to find what works for us and it may take a long time to do. :)

Dina

[MitziAnne]

Just trying to spark some interest in this woe. I think it's going to work great for me. I'd like to hear from others who are fc'ing.

[Bailey1717]

Hi there!

I've done food combining before, and now I'm back to it. It works amazingly for me. It's just hard to keep it up 100% of the time, especially when eating out or at a friend's house...

[curiousone]

I think we need to look at wine.

When it comes to the glue-er foods...like cheese and bread...
It seems its traditional to drink wine with this stuff...

The reason is some of the gluey type components are alcohol-soluble. So basically drinking wine with some of the gluey meals makes you able to get more out of wheat for instance, with less harm/digestive stress.

I think thats why they drink wine.

Probably how you can have such big 5 course meals... but without wine it wouldn't digest as well...

Seems thats how the French and Italians adapted to their local cuisine... they knew they had lots of wheat, and to make the most of it...it needs to be eaten with wine.

[Noctis]

Hey Guys :) Just reading through this thread and thought I'd throw in my 2 cents worth re food combining [Fit for LIfe]. I discovered this WOE many years ago. I lost 20+ kilos in around 4 months and was the HEALTHIEST I've ever been. The biggest factor of this WOE was the HUGE amount of energy I felt before the end of the first week...I had never had that much energy in my life! I started walking 10 mins a day and by the end of the 2nd month I was walking 2 hrs am and 1 hr pm...by end of 3rd month I was able to jog around a football field...I had never jogged in my life...AND I was still smoking :q: I was never hungry on this WOE...I had plenty of good oils and used butter on my veges...if I didn't want meat for a meal I had lovely, fresh, crusty bread [yum]. My favourite morning food was a frozen banana blended with the juice of a couple of oranges [better than coffee...which I still had but waited till midday].

I have a friend who I recommended this WOE too. She was 5' 1" and weighed 166kg!!! In 2 years of following this WOE she was 55kg and has maintained all these years [9yrs].

I fell out of this WOE when I was doing a lot of shift work. I no longer do that and so have been thinking I will get into it again...I have been doing a lot of 'research' about low carb, which I think sounds good, but when I think about it fit for life could be pretty low carb anyway if you wanted.

I know everyone is different but just thought I would let others know that this can be a very good WOE...my brother and sister also took on this WOE and still follow the basic principle to this day [to their benefit].

Probably the only drawback with this WOE is, because of the amount of energy you get you really do need to have the abililty to be able to take up a form of exercise in order to use it all up....

[goose70]

I tried the food combining plan from Suzanne Somers. I believe that she promotes eating most of your carbs in the morning. They are complex carbs no white flour or sugar. Insulin is not as senstive in the morning hours, and then the rest of the day she promotes protein and fats. I didn't like it because no nuts were allowed..yikes... Just my 2 cents worth :)