How Does the Food Combining Diet Work?

The controversial food combining diet was developed by the American doctor Howard Hay at the beginning of the 20th century. Essentially, this form of nutrition provides for not consuming protein and carbohydrates at the same time – i.e. separately. The food combining diet is extremely controversial because it brings rapid but no lasting success in losing weight.

According to Hay, foods are divided into protein, carbohydrate, and neutral foods. In his view, proteins and carbohydrates cannot be digested at the same time. If you still eat both at the same time, you risk over-acidification of the body. In addition, certain foods such as meat, fish, milk, and cheese are said to be so-called acidifiers and also contribute to hyperacidity. According to Hay, this is to blame for obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart attacks.

For this reason, Hay came up with two principles that should help to avoid such hyperacidity, reduce body weight and improve health. In addition to the strict separation of protein and carbohydrates, people on the food combining diet should only eat a quarter of acid-forming substances a day and otherwise only so-called base-forming substances such as fruit, vegetables, and whole grain products.

Criticism of the division into the various food groups is directed at the arbitrariness with which it was made. Fruit does not always belong to carbohydrates, but some varieties such as olives or unsulphured raisins belong to the neutral group. Others, on the other hand, are counted among the proteins, such as most berries, apricots, sour apples, or citrus fruits. Some foods, such as some legumes, are conceptually forbidden because they contain carbohydrates and protein at the same time. However, potatoes, which also contain both, are carbohydrates. Soured milk products such as buttermilk, kefir, or yoghurt are among the neutral foods, although they contain a lot of protein.

Ultimately, the principles of the food combining diet boil down to a predominantly lacto-vegetarian diet. This means that mostly vegetables and fruit as well as dairy products are consumed. Meat consumption is not stopped completely, but is greatly reduced. Because of this, it is indeed possible to lose weight with the food combining diet.

However, it is a misconception that carbohydrates and proteins cannot be digested at the same time. Otherwise, infants would generally not tolerate breast milk. In addition, it is not the separation of the food that is decisive for the success of the customer. Rather, it is important that you consistently burn more calories than you consume through food. With the food combining diet, fewer calories are usually actually consumed due to the selection of foods. However, this can also be achieved through a conscious and balanced diet based on your personal energy requirements. At the same time, you ensure that your body is supplied with all vital nutrients. Using the mix-plate principle as a guide makes it child’s play to put together a balanced meal that can also be used to lose weight.