Some swear by it, others consider it useless, and the truth lies somewhere in between – Food Combining is one of many ways to eat consciously and healthily. However, the health aspect of preventing hyperacidity of the body by strictly separating protein and carbohydrates, which was still much invoked around 70 years ago, has since been disproved.
Hay’s separation diet: avoid hyperacidity
A loaf of bread with a fried egg? Cookies and a glass of milk? With the principle of the separation diet this is considered incompatible. The American doctor Howard Hay namely believed that his kidney disease was the result of “overacidification” of the body, this in turn was caused by an incorrect combination of food.
Foods that contain large amounts of protein, such as some dairy products and many meats, should not be eaten together with high carbohydrate foods such as cereals. The wrong combination, he said, causes the food to be broken down incompletely. This would result in fermentation, metabolic waste products, hyperacidity and ultimately chronic diseases. He drastically changed his diet, separated acid-forming and base-forming foods – and became healthy again. He treated his patients in the same way, sometimes with great success.
And even today the so-called separation diet is propagated as “Köhnlechner separation diet” or “Fit for Life” diet, not only as a means to lose pounds, but also as a cure for metabolic diseases. Especially in connection with diets, the separation diet seems to be a popular perennial. Just like Hay, most food combining diets recommend that the daily diet be made up of two-thirds base-forming foods and one-third acid-forming foods.
In addition, there is a group of “neutral” foods, which includes, for example, all raw vegetables, acidified foods such as yogurt and cottage cheese, or raw and smoked sausage. This group may be combined with both protein foods and carbohydrates.
Scientifically controversial
Scientists have long proven that digestion and absorption of all nutrients occur in the neutral to alkaline environment of the small intestine. The healthy organism keeps its acidity relatively constant no matter what we eat. Even strong hydrochloric acid such as stomach acid enters the intestine and is neutralized without overacidifying the organism. Overacidification (acidosis) can occur, for example, in the case of a metabolic derailment such as diabetes. This must be treated by a doctor – and is supported with diet under medical supervision.
From the point of view of digestion, a separation of carbohydrates and protein is therefore unnecessary. Moreover: a complete separation is hardly possible in everyday life. Almost all cereals, vegetables and fruits always contain protein in addition to carbohydrates. Incidentally, the separation of carbohydrates and protein also has its disadvantages: In carbohydrate-free meals, the body uses some of the dietary protein in favor of energy production instead of using it to build body structures.
Advantages of the food combining diet
Despite some concerns, many people who want to eat mindfully get a start on a healthier life thanks to the Food Combining Diet. After all, it puts plenty of fruits and vegetables on the table. According to Hay, about 70 to 80 percent of daily meals should consist of fruits and vegetables, with ideally half of them being eaten raw.
Fat and meat, on the other hand, are greatly reduced. Therefore, losing weight succeeds more easily. In addition, sugar, white flour and finished products are taboo for strict Trennköstler. Who now still pays attention to renounce none of the basic food, like bread, grain, milk, milk products and eggs, can nourish itself also with the Hay’schen separation food healthy.
It is to be noted that straight certain combinations of coal hydrates plus proteins work particularly favorably. The success separation diet is therefore only in the slightly vegetarian diet with lots of raw vegetables and little fat.
