Let’s optimize digestion
95% of serotonin is produced in the gut?! Ummmm woah, looks like digestion matters significantly with how we feel mentally! There are a few things that can cause us to digest sub-optimally. Low minerals like magnesium can lead to poor digestion, chronic stress, or eating excess sugar…there are some clear factors that we can pivot to have healthier digestion! However, something you may not have heard of is something called food combining! Did you know that certain foods eaten together work in a synergistic relationship? You can get more nutrients out of the food when eaten together! On the flip side, some foods in combination can lead to bloating, gas, and all together frustrated digestion.
So as usual, my heart here with Wide Open Space Living is to equip you to crowd out anxiety, feel better, and experience more freedom! Pairing your food mindfully can help you feel better and better! Maybe these tools will help your digestion so you can feel happy, and well…a little less bloated!
So lets start with the positive…
What are some GOOD COMBOS for digestion?
•Protein and non-starchy veggies: Think chicken and peppers, salmon and bok choy, steak with a green salad, tuna and broccoli, and more!
•Fruit & other Fruits: Fruits are generally best digested on there own, not combined with other food groups- Think berry combos, grapefruit and orange, cherries and peaches
•Nuts with non-starchy veggies-Higher fat foods like nuts combine well with non starchy veggies! I love nuts on my salad, pistachios baked with Brussel Sprouts, Walnuts on my spinach salad etc!
•Starches with non-starchy veggies: Starchy foods combine best with non starchy veggies! They are best digested this way. Think baked sweet potato fries with a kale salad, brown rice stir fry with veggies, lentils with baked curry cauliflower-the list goes on!
There are even some synergistic food combinations where when eaten together, they enhance each others nutritional benefits. AKA you are getting more nutrients from the individual foods when eaten together, instead of separately.
These are combos are things like turmeric & black pepper, broccoli & tomatoes, green tea & lemon juice, grilled meat with rosemary, kale and avocado, and salmon & bok choy!
These combos work together to boost nutrition!
What are some less than optimal combos so you can avoid that annoying bloat?
• Starches and protein can lead to discomfort and bloating! This is like spaghetti with meatballs, or steak and rice. When having an animal protein, try zucchini or sweet potato noodles, or sub for cauliflower rice.
•Protein with acid can lead to indigestion- try making your protein with less acidic sauces
•Fruit with anything- like stated above, if you feel bloated with fruit in your meal, try eating fruit on its own instead!
•Milk with anything- Milk is not digested well with other things. Opt for nut milks or oat milk instead!
I hope this was interesting to you, and that you can get cooking with combos that are going to optimize digestion!
-XO, Joy