Let’s talk about food combining. For many of my clients this is really a game changer. I do not want to overwhelm you but instead, empower you. If you have suffered for a long time with energy issues, poor digestion and inflammation, then you may want to consider food combining.

WHY FOOD COMBINING?

Individuals who battle digestive distress may benefit from experimenting with food combining. There are very simple rules to follow when it comes to eating the right combinations of food to optimize digestion and the assimilation of nutrients. Please see the food-combining chart below for more details on proper food combining.

THE RULES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. FRUIT: Fruit digests itself, passing through the digestive system within 20 minutes. By eating fruit alone you avoid fermentation occurring in your belly, because it doesn’t get stuck behind other digesting food. Fermentation can lead to gas, rob you of energy and slow down your digestion.
2. EAT STARCHES WITH VEGETABLES: Starches require an alkaline environment for ideal digestion. Foods such as baked potatoes, sweet potatoes or sweet corn should be eaten alone or with a vegetable or a fat. It is advised to eat starches only with vegetables.
3. EAT PROTEIN WITH VEGETABLES: Unlike starches, proteins require an acidic environment for ideal digestion, so it is best to eat protein with vegetables and a healthy fat. When you add a starch, you force your body’s natural enzymes to compete to digest your food.

SOURCE – DR. ROBERT MORSE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF DETOXIFICATION

DIGESTIVE DISORDERS

A huge portion (80%) of the body’s immune system is in the gut. Your gut is really your first line of defense for sickness prevention and ultimate health.

Did you know your assimilation of nutrients depends on the health of your gut? Food must be broken down from your gut to your small intestines for proper assimilation.

Another vital component of healthy digestion is a healthy colon. Many who suffer from digestive disorders find it helpful to cleanse the colon of unwanted waste and toxicity that can lead to digestive issues and inflammation.

THE COLON

While not necessary for everyone, some people find removing the wastes that build up in the colon to be very beneficial. The colon has many important jobs:

1. Elimination of wastes from the digestive process
2. Assimilation and synthesis of minerals

Healthy bowel movements are essential for good health.

Colon hydrotherapy can be the perfect complement to detoxing.

Make sure to drink adequate water after your session.

If you would prefer an alternative to colon hydrotherapy, an enema can also be effective and is cost-efficient. Instructions for coffee enemas are on the end. You can purchase a at home enema kit here: http://bodyecology.com/articles/home_enemas_how_and_why.php#.UlwoZ7-EylI

You can also naturally increase bowel movements by taking vitamin C, magnesium or magnesium oxide.

Here are my sure fire tips for you to be healthy and reverse inflammation naturally.

1. Drink fresh green juices or mix 1tablespoon chlorophyll with lemon and lime juice in water if you do not have a juicer. Alkalizing your body and by consuming greens in an easy-to-digest form during detox encourages the release of toxins and bowel elimination.
2. Aim for one green smoothie a day, as smoothies are a great way to give your digestion a break so you can detox properly. If your smoothies are constipating you, then make sure you are only drinking smoothies that are respecting the food-combining rules shown in the chart above, such as not mixing fruit and vegetables (unless it is an apple or another acidic fruit). This only applies to those who have digestive distress after drinking smoothies. You can also omit the ice as the cold nature of a smoothie can irritate digestion.
3. If you are constipated, drink flax tea or add flax oil or ground seeds to your salad, smoothie or soup. Aim for 1-2 tablespoons daily of this amazing oil to keep your colon lubricated.
4. To improve digestion and bowel elimination during your detox, aim for 12 minutes of aerobic exercise or interval training daily to stimulate your endorphins, jump start your metabolism, and support your liver.
5. Always buy hormone- and nitrate-free meats, fish and eggs.
6. If you feel you are experiencing gas and bloating, see if you can go one whole day with NO NATURAL SUGAR (other than berries, apples and grapefruit), then try to go 2 days, and so on.
7. Drink warm water with lemon throughout the day. Reduce cold foods in favor of warm foods. Often when we feel constipated, the body is not releasing the toxins through the bowels. Make sure you are hydrated and drinking minerals (such as electrolyte packets or try making your own with 20 ounces of water, ¼ tsp. sea salt and stevia).
8. Drink more water throughout your day; add lemon, lime or cucumber to your water to alkalize the body.
9. Surround yourself with people you love/like.
10. Do work you love.
11. Do activities that feed your soul.
12. Remind yourself that you can write a new story each and every day; no one is making you do anything you don’t want to do.
13. Remind yourself that this is an abundant universe with more than enough to go around for EVERYONE!
14. Visualize perfect health.
15. Be grateful each and every day for all that you DO HAVE.
16. Get your vitamin D levels checked.
17. Add in a good probiotic (at least 15 billion CFU, several strains).
18. Add in a good digestive enzyme (plant-based).
19. Remember to love your body with all your heart so that it feels like you are putting it first.

If you want more information about digestion check out my 8 Week Restore Your Gut Program here!

In Health,

Angie