Student Question: Combining Starches and Protein?

Question: For food combining. It says not to eat protein and starches together. We have always made supper as a meat, veggie and potatoe or rice. So that would be protein and starch. So what I am wondering is, how far apart do they have to be to be eaten? For example, if raw foods are eaten as a first course and then the meal and finish up with fruit as dessert, does that give sufficient time for things to be digested before the fruit is eaten, or should it be spaced out even more? The same goes with protein and starch. Could you eat raw foods, then some veggies and starch and then protein after, or should there be more time inbetween eating them both?

Answer:

The way of eating that you are talking about is part of an alkaline diet. Some doctors have made this diet famous by claiming that all people should eat using this method. This wouldn't hurt anyone, but it is not very realistic either, and does not take into account that all people have different needs and lifestyles.

I would suggest an alkaline diet for anyone who has an "acidic" lifestyle. This would include anyone who does heavy exercise or is training for sports, anyone who has a lot of stress in their life, anyone who drinks coffee or sodas or consumes fast foods or "junk foods" more than three times a week, etc...a full profile of what creates an acidic lifestyle can be found in the readings.

I also suggest that if someone is having a "highly acidic" day (one full of stress or a lot of exercise) that it would also be very helpful to follow a more alkaline diet that day.

If you have a vegetarian lifestyle, this diet is not as applicable because beans are proteins AND starches. This is another thing that confuses some people. A vegetarian's diet is naturally alkaline as long as they are eating whole foods and avoiding highly acidic foods such as coffee.

If you are eating healthy, whole foods and balanced meals that are minimally processed and generally include in-season produce, then that should be sufficient for the average person. It is only when our lives become unbalanced that we need to balance with strict diets - sometimes for long periods of time, sometimes for life, sometimes for short periods. It depends on the person and the situation.

One also needs to consider the amounts of protein being used. If you are using protein as a "flavor" rather than a main dish, this results in a more alkaline dish.

You are also correct in stating that if you take your time eating that the time in between your foods will be sufficient. If you finish a meal, you can have your desert or fruit about a half-hour later.

I hope this helps.

Blessings & Health,
Kristie