Why Separating Certain Foods Can Improve Digestion

Food separation is a method based on a physician named Avicenna, whose writings were studied by Maimonides.

This approach is founded on the simple principle that the stomach can best digest foods with similar composition together. Thus, digestion is improved, and nutrient absorption is maximized.

The main idea is to avoid eating proteins and carbohydrates in the same meal. The interval between meals should be around three hours. It's possible to combine vegetables and fat with carbohydrates, and similarly, vegetables and fat with protein. For example, this method avoids eating chicken with rice, fish with potatoes, or even bread with an egg.

Let me explain a bit: Carbohydrates digest in a basic environment. They begin to break down with enzymes in our saliva, hence the importance of chewing well. Carbohydrates move into the stomach and create a basic environment.

To digest proteins, we need an acidic environment. When both basic carbohydrates and acidic-needing proteins enter the stomach simultaneously, the stomach works harder. People with strong stomachs, especially children and young adults, can handle this easily, and food digests and absorbs relatively well.

Older adults and those with sensitive or weak digestive systems will feel the strain when eating proteins and carbohydrates together, especially when overloading the stomach. This leads to weakness and poor absorption.

Many people, even those with robust stomachs, feel better after switching to this method. Individuals with weight issues, not due to medication or hormonal problems, can effectively lose weight over time with this technique, and more importantly, maintain their new weight.

Some might struggle to understand how it is possible to separate foods. It's a habit, but one can try it, as many successful individuals have.

The advantage of this method is that no foods are banned. The recommendation is to pair proteins with vegetables in one meal and in the next meal, choose a carbohydrate with vegetables.

"Protein" refers only to animal protein and not plant-based protein, while "carbohydrates" include any food that is a carbohydrate or sugar, which turns into carbohydrates in the body.

This method is a great way to improve mineral and vitamin absorption and enhance overall well-being, even for those with sensitive intestines or other digestive issues.