Do you ever feel wiped out after a meal? I am talking about Bloated, Gassy feelings; or for some people, they may feel tired or even mentally Foggy. All of these signs are telling you there is a problem. But instead of covering up the problem with drugs, there are natural ways to fix the problem.
A Natural Wellness Approach to Digestion
Here is a Wellness Approach that can help people with digestive Issues. To start with, let us Define Protein. In food language that translates into Beef, Chicken, Fish, Eggs, and Cheese. These are all concentrated proteins. Our body needs protein for every facet of life: for building and repairing our body and to feed muscle tissue.
The Importance of Proper Protein Digestion
Okay, if you are saying, “I’m eating protein.” You may be eating enough protein, but what if I told you, you are probably not “Digesting” or getting the health benefits of all the protein you eat. It has to do the way we COMBINE FOODS.
The Role of Hydrochloric Acid in Digestion
I am talking about the Other Foods you eat with protein. The hidden factor is hydrochloric acid! HCL is a Natural Acid made in your stomach. It releases pepsin which breaks down food, goes to work on that protein, dis solves it, and amazingly the body absorbs and transports the little building blocks called amino acids where they are needed. So, you need the right amount of HCL to do the job. That is where the red flag goes up because there is another factor… Starches. Combining Starches with Protein during meals actually reduces the secretion of HCL levels in your stomach. Starches reduce HCL. If that happens, there is not enough left to fully digest protein. As a result, you do not get all the benefits from the protein. The undigested food can ferment or putrefy and make you feel bloated and sluggish.
Why Sugars and Starches Slow Digestion
What is actually happening? Few things. The 1st one is that sugars inhibit the secretion of HCL in the stomach. Of course, starchy foods are classified as sugars. This means that if we eat a big steak and our stomachs begin the secretion of HCL to digest the food, a good thing; but then we add simple sugars like bread, potatoes, pie, brownies, soft drinks, and most fruit juices; the stomach slows down its release of HCL.
With less HCL, the stomach struggles to break down proteins efficiently, and food can end up sitting there longer than it should. This slowdown might lead to bloating, discomfort, or indigestion. Over time, it could even affect how well your body absorbs nutrients. That’s why being mindful of how you combine foods could make digestion a whole lot easier.
Effective Food Combining Strategies
So, here is the strategy for combining foods:
When you eat concentrated protein (beef, poultry, or fish), reduce the heavy starches like bread, potatoes, pasta, even soft drinks. Instead, increase vegetables. Think of the traditional fast-food meal, hamburger patty, on a sugar bun, French-fried potatoes, washed down with a big sized sugary pop. The sugars found in the bun, the fries, and the drink all slow down the release of HCL. “Food combining” is a basic principle of Optimal Nutrition because it allows the body to digest and utilize the nutrients in our foods to their full extent.
Consult a Wellness Clinician for Digestion Support
Ask us, Your Wellness Clinician, for more information about combining food and talk to them about any digestion problems you are experiencing. Do not ignore the symptoms when you feel tired and bloated after meals. Do something to feel better… and fix your digestion is the best place to start.