Don't do it, it can be very bad: the 7 foods that should never be mixed

Although many food combinations may seem appealing or even common in our daily diet , the truth is that some of them could be counterproductive from a nutritional and digestive standpoint. Beyond taste or habit, there is a branch of knowledge known as trophology that analyzes how certain food combinations can negatively affect the functioning of the digestive system. What are the 7 mistakes when combining them?

Trophology is a discipline that studies how foods should be combined to facilitate digestion, optimize nutrient absorption, and prevent intestinal fermentation. Also known as the "science of food combining," this theory maintains that not all foods are compatible with each other, and that mixing certain foods can cause negative effects such as heaviness, gas, bloating, or even difficulty assimilating vitamins and minerals.

According to “Mejor con Salud” these foods cannot be mixed.

1. Starches with acidic foods

The digestion of starches—found in foods such as bread, rice, pasta, and oats—begins in the mouth thanks to an enzyme called ptyalin, which acts in a slightly alkaline environment. When these foods are combined with acidic products such as tomatoes, vinegar, citrus fruits, or even tropical fruits like pineapple, the environment in which ptyalin acts is altered, reducing its effectiveness.

2. Starches with proteins

Starches and proteins require opposite chemical conditions to be properly digested. When they are consumed together, for example, meat with potatoes or rice with chicken, the digestive system is forced to neutralize both environments, which slows digestion, promotes fermentation, and can lead to digestive fatigue, gas, or heartburn.

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3. Protein with protein. Consuming different types of protein in the same meal may seem common, but it can cause digestive overload. Mixing them together means the body must double its digestive effort, which can lead to indigestion, drowsiness after eating, and abdominal discomfort.

4. Proteins with acidic foods

Excessive external acidity, from food, can alter enzymatic balance and compromise digestion, generating poorly digested waste, fermentation, and a feeling of heaviness.

5. Proteins with fats

Fats have the property of slowing gastric emptying, which can be helpful in some cases to control appetite, but can also complicate digestion when consumed in excess with protein. This type of combination requires a lot of digestive energy and can affect metabolism if repeated frequently.

6. Sugars with proteins or starches

Simple sugars are digested quickly and don't require much time in the stomach. When consumed alongside foods that take longer to process, this process can not only cause gas and bloating, but also alter the intestinal flora.

7. Fruits with any other food

Fruits, especially sweet ones, are among the fastest-digesting foods and are composed primarily of water, fiber, and fructose. When consumed with complete meals containing fats, proteins, or starches, their intestinal transit is slowed, which favors their fermentation in the stomach.

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The correct combinations

These mixtures promote digestion, reduce intestinal fermentation and optimize nutrient absorption.

1. Animal and vegetable proteins: They can be combined with non-starchy vegetables

2. Starches (complex carbohydrates): perfect with non-starchy vegetables

3. Healthy fats: combine with vegetables and starches

4.Fruits: They can be combined with each other according to their type, and always alone or on an empty stomach.

5. Non-starchy vegetables: They are neutral, compatible with almost all groups.