Learning the art of nutrition is like learning how to play ukulele. You have to first tune it, hold it correctly and strum in time without rushing. The human body functions this way too. It is not only enough to feed it with the right foods but you also need to ingest them in the right proportions and combinations. If you combine your foods properly, regular exercise and proper sleep, the body will shape up and respond automatically. Eating a healthy diet and participating in sports is a far much better way of keeping healthy.
Eating healthy food, however, is not enough. You need to eat them in the right combinations. If you go against this rule then you might be poisoning your body with healthy foods taken in the wrong way. Different foods contain different nutrients. How the body absorbs these nutrients also differs. The following are some food combinations that are healthy and nutritious.
Broccoli and Mustard
This is a healthy food combination that keeps cancer at bay. Broccoli contains a helpful compound by the name sulforaphane that fights cancer. To achieve these benefits the broccoli must be raw. Cooking rids it of its cancer fighting ability by killing myrosinase, an enzyme that avails sulforaphane. This is where mustard comes handy. It contains the much needed myrosinase in large quantities for more absorption of sulforaphane.
Banana and Yogurt
This smoothie is not only healthy but also refreshing, especially after workout. With carbohydrates from the banana and the proteins from Yogurt replacing worn out tissues and repairing muscles, your body is revitalised. The liquid carbohydrates from banana can be absorbed by the body quite fast if not slowed down. Addition of the proteins from Yogurt solves this puzzle. The blood flow is therefore not interfered with. Yogurt also contains good bacteria called probiotics which are fed by the nutrients in the banana. The end result is a huge boost to the immune system.
Salmon and Lentils
Vitamin D is a daily body requirement together with calcium. The easiest way to get these into the body system is to drink fortified milk. A better alternative still could be combining the Vitamin D-rich salmon with lentils that are equally rich in calcium. This is the best way to guarantee your body strong bones making you fit physically and mentally. This is how a good combination of foods can replace or reinforce physical exercises.
Tomato and Avocado
When you take tomato with the healthy fats found in avocado, you get a good dose of carotenoids which are antioxidants found in tomatoes, these fats aide the absorption of these useful antioxidants. This is fifteen times better than taking tomatoes alone. Flax seeds or olive oil can be a good replacement for avocado when making this sandwich or salad.
Onions and Whole Grains
Zinc is a mineral that is vital for growth and it is mainly found in whole grains. Apart from growth, zinc also helps in maintaining body processes and boosting the immune system. Onion has sulfurous compounds that accelerate zinc intake by the body cells. Zinc can also be found in meat but whole grains are the source of choice, especially for vegetarians.
Of course, an article like this one cannot exhaust all the healthy combinations of foods that are possible. We still have others like coffee and sugar; angula and lemon juice; tumeric and fish; azuki beans and raspberries; trout and tumeric; spinach and olive oil and many more.
The bottom line is that for healthy food combination, some rules apply. One golden rule is that never eat fruits after a meal. Have them when your stomach is empty for better results. Since they are easily digested, combining fruits with other foods exposes you to the risk of having them ferment in your stomach. Also remember that starches and proteins should not be part of the same meal. You can opt for vegetables or salads to replace one of them.
When foods are combined well, the body is assured of health and illnesses kept at bay. You will also enjoy other benefits such as increase in energy, improved digestion, a balanced body weight and enhanced well being. You can also combine the right foods to achieve other healthy ends such as weight loss and freedom from allergies.
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