There are a lot of things to keep in mind when it comes to eating a healthy meal. There’s the well-known formula that you should burn more calories than you eat if you want to lose weight, but there are also all kinds of guidelines as to which foods are healthy and which foods aren’t. It’s obviously better to eat fruits and vegetables than processed foods, but there’s still some fine print—for example, you shouldn’t eat just fruit all the time.
What some people don’t know, however, is that how you eat foods together can have effects on your digestive system as well.
Although the ancient medicine of Ayurveda has its own eating guidelines as to what foods to eat to balance your energy, modern science is also showing that some foods in combination can have negative effects. Fortunately, we have a cheat sheet for you.
Here are 11 food combinations that you should avoid whenever possible.
1. Tea And Milk
Tea is great for us when consumed correctly as it’s packed with antioxidants which help with inflammation. Unfortunately, those who add milk (cow or soy, by the way) end up ruining all those benefits. The proteins in milk end up binding with antioxidants and prevent them from being absorbed—and caffeine in tea can also stop the milk’s calcium from being absorbed. It’s best to drink your tea straight up for the full benefits.
2. Alcohol And Caffeine
This one is kind of a no-brainer. In layman’s terms, alcohol is a downer whereas caffeine peps you up—and the combination can wreak havoc on your nervous system. More technically speaking, caffeine can fool us into thinking we’re more sober than we actually are. This effect is even worse in combinations like, say, Red Bull and vodka—just don’t do it!
3. Lentils And Red Wine
This one is more of an issue for vegetarians and vegans to be aware of. As fans of the beverage may know, wine is packed full of tannins. Unfortunately, when those chemicals mix with plant-based iron like the iron found in soybeans or lentils, the body is unable to absorb the mineral. If you’re not eating meat, iron is already harder to come by. Iron deficiency causes many different problems as well, so it’s best to steer clear of this combination.
4. Bread And Jam
Although we all love a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich, these snacks are not great for our bodies. That’s because these types of simple carbohydrates can spike your blood sugar level more so than other foods. The result is that your blood sugar spikes quickly and your pancreas gets overworked releasing insulin. This process can not only leave you tired, it can also lead to developing insulin resistance and diabetes.
5. Soda And French Fries
Again, this is a very popular combination when we go out to eat but it’s really not good. The explanation for this is exactly the same as the bread and jam combo. If there’s too much sugar hitting your bloodstream at once, it causes lots of problems.
6. Salad With Fat-Free Dressing
Because we want our salads to be healthy, we may reach for the fat-free dressing at the store thinking that it’s healthier. Unfortunately, fat-free dressing is usually overly processed and may actually block the helpful nutrients of your salad. A study from Iowa State University showed that students who ate their salad with a basic oil dressing actually got the veggie nutrients while other students did not.
7. Cereal And Coffee
Just like with wine, coffee also contains tannins which give it a signature taste that we all love. Unfortunately, those same tannins end up blocking the iron in the cereal from being absorbed. Best to leave some time between!
8. Green Tea And Kale
This one applies particularly to the smoothie makers out there. Although both of these foods are healthy on their own and seem like a natural combination, they end up working against one another. Once again, the antioxidants in green tea really need their own space to be absorbed effectively—the iron in kale can end up blocking those benefits.
9. Beans And Cheese
Although beans are often a very healthy option, their high amounts of soluble fiber can sometimes cause digestive issues and gas. Although this is generally fine on it’s own, adding cheese to that mix just makes the problems even worse.
10. Burgers And Beer
Everyone knows that alcohol is processed by your liver—but so is fat. The problem with eating burgers and beer together is that your body rushes to process the alcohol first, leaving the fat floating around. The longer that fat is hanging around your body, the more likely it is to be stored long-term, leading to bloating and weight gain.
11. Tomatoes And Starch
This one is sure to be controversial. When we think of pasta, we probably think of tomato sauce or tomatoes paired with it almost instantly. Unfortunately, this food combination can lead to heartburn and digestive problems. The reason for this is that tomatoes are acidic, which makes it harder for your body to digest starch. As a result, it can cause bloating and discomfort. Although this probably won’t stop you, it’s good to keep in mind!
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