Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Well..., the science behind this is that when you ingest a starch and a protein in the same meal, neither get digested well, because in layman's terms (mine!) one requires an acidic enzyme, and the other an alkaline one, and these cancel each other out so that the PH in the stomach is not suitable for the digestion of either food. This makes steak and potatoes an indigestable meal, in theory. Ingestion of fats and oils slows down digestion considerably, and shouldn't be combined with proteins (eggs, nuts, meat). Fruit, particularly apples, melons, etc should be eaten alone, because they digest very fast and if held in the stomach by starches and proteins, they ferment and decompose, and there's your bloat!

Then the worst culprit-sugar! Desserts and soft drinks at meals (not that you're eating this way-but so many foods contain their own sugar, with corn syrup, honey etc added) are killer because the sugar inhibits enzyme production for starches and proteins and ferments EVERYTHING in its path, causing bloat and decomposition, and encouraging the wrong bacteria and yeasts...and the gases produced from this irritate the IBS gut.

So, nonstarchy vegetables go with protein, fruit alone, etc

There are many websites that can explain it better (here's one):

http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/DietandLifestyle/Food_combining.htm

I read these things and think Bummer! another complication!, but I also think that people with IBS almost always are deficient in enzymes and stomach acids to begin with, and have weakened digestion in the best of circumstances, so this effect of food combining can be worse with some of us. I know I'm one.

I hope I've helped

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