Is proper food combining the secret to weight loss?

A while ago I was asked by one of my client's about the validity of 'food combining'.

This is something that quite controversial, so I wanted to do some good solid research before offering my opinion.

So for what it's worth, here it is...

For those of you who are unsure of what this is all about, there have been numerous 'experts' touting the benefits of only combining certain foods with each other at meal times.

The premise is that different foods require different digestive enzymes to be properly broken down and utilized by the body. Furthermore, if this food is improperly digested, then weight gain and digestive troubles are the result.

One of the typical no-no's touted by food-combining pros is that you should never eat protein and starch in the same meal, as they require different digestive juices, which, if secreted at the same time would neutralize each other resulting in indigestible and rotting food in your digestive tract.

This makes no sense at all.

Nature has provided us with countless food sources that contain both protein and starch in the same food (such as rice), so why would this be so if we were unable to digest them properly?

The following is a quote from Dr. Keith Scott-Mumby MB, ChB, MD, PhD - nutrition and food allergy specialist from the UK - from his book 'Diet Wise'...
"...you may have heard of the "food combining" approach to diet. A lot of elaborate theory is put forth as a justification for the ritual of separating morning, midday, and evening - your body is supposed to be unable to digest proteins and carbohydrates at the same time, some foods are acidic and some are alkaline, and other such fake science. These claims are simply not true. The body is geared to digest fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, sequentially, in different segments o the alimentary tract."

Basically, what Dr. Scott-Mumby is stating here is that digestion does not just take place in the stomach. For instance, sugar digestion starts in the mouth, fats are emulsified in the small intestine and so forth - your body is able to digest all types of food at the same time.

So why are so many people jumping on board this bandwagon if it doesn't work?

Most likely because food combining severely restricts the types and quantities of food you eat. For example, since starch and protein don't digest together but veg and protein do (in the eyes of food combining experts) then instead of the hearty serving of mashed potatoes with your roast beef, or nice scoop of pasta with your meatballs, you'll be substituting vegetables. Also, since fruit is 'best digested in the morning - and should not be combined with any other food' your breakfast bowl of sugar laden cereal, cup of coffee, or eggs and bacon, is now replaced by a grapefruit or an apple.

You've probably started to see where all the miraculous benefits of food combining really stems from.

So what do I recommend?

Don't worry so much about not eating certain foods with each other, but rather limit the amount of starches and simple carbs you are taking in (white flour products, sugars) and increase the amount of fresh fruit and veg in your diet. Not because it digests better, but because they are healthier substances and contain high levels of essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Yours in health,

RD

So much for a relaxing weekend....

How can one little lug nut cause so many problems?

We didn't catch anything this weekend on our fishing trip. I got a few little bites, but nothing major. I'm not too upset over that. As they say, the worst day fishing is a lot better than any day at work (although in my case I actually love my job so its about even).

The weather was good, and I love being out in the woods, so I had a great time.

Until I tried to leave.

We got about 20 minutes away from the fishing camp when my on-board tire pressure indicator started flashing that my tire was low. Being on a really narrow highway, I didn't want to try and unload the Jeep and change the flat there, so we drove back to the camp so I could take care of it safely there.

We got back and checked the tire, and it had a big nail jammed in their and it was slowly leaking. So I unloaded our gear out of the back to get at the spare, and took it out and grabbed the jack and set it up, then I realized that something was missing.

The little lock-nut key (for the special anti-theft wheel nut pictured above) was missing.

In fact, the dealership never bothered to give it to me when I bought the Jeep a few weeks back.

Without this, you cannot remove the wheels.

So I called the 24 hour roadside assistance number to tell them my problem (I paid a nice hefty sum for extended warranty and emergency coverage). They regretted to inform me that the only place I could get a key for the wheel would be from a dealership (the closest one was in 100mile house an hour past where we were staying) and of course, being sunday, they were closed.

So we had to stay another night (and I sincerely apologize for all of those appointments I had to cancel) and wait until the dealership was open, and then have them shuttle a key out to me in the morning.

So in the morning I got up and called the roadside assistance number again, and they, yet again, regretted to inform me that they would have to send a tow truck from the nearest town, to pick up the Jeep, and haul it there to have the wheel key matched up. So I waited an hour for the tow truck, then rode another hour back to 100 mile with the driver making small talk about fishing and atv's, and hunting, and guns (gotta love the folks out in the cariboo - incredibly friendly, but I assumed from the box of shotgun shells nestled between the windshield and the dashboard that they are the type to shoot first and ask questions later).

When we arrived in 100 Mile (and thanks to Bridge Lake Towing - guns and all, the driver was really nice and interesting to talk to) the man behind the service desk at the Jeep dealership met me with a look of bewilderment that was quite concerning.

"Uh....we don't have any wheel lock keys..."

Apparently these are one-of-a-kind to ensure that nobody can go around steeling wheels off of cars. Problem is, you lose that key (or in my case NEVER GET ONE IN THE FIRST PLACE) you are hooped.

The mechanic was, however, able to chisel the nut off the Jeep, replace it with a regular lug nut, and repair the flat in about an hour and a half.

I said my goodbyes to the bewildered staff at the dealership, and started my hour drive back to Sheridan Lake, where I loaded up my gear once again, and then finally left for home.

Needless to say, although I love my new Jeep, I'm not to happy with the people who sold it to me. And the next thing I'm going to do, it get that key from my dealership and get rid of those stupid lock nuts.

Words of wisdom, if you have these special nuts on your car or truck, go check and make sure you have that key RIGHT NOW!

Spend time with your Dad.

With father's day this weekend, what better opportunity to get to spend some quality time with Dad, and take a step towards being healthier and happier for you both.

Go for a walk or a hike with dad, or maybe a bike ride if that's his thing. Get outdoors and get some exercise, and get some much needed one-on-one time for you both.

Every year my brother, my dad and I try to get away for the weekend to do some camping or fishing, and this weekend we'll be heading up north to try and pull a trophy sized trout out of Sheridan Lake (as seen in the photo above). It's a great opportunity to relax, get some exercise, and just chat.

Even if we don't have much luck on the lake, I guarantee we add a few weeks to our life just from the stress release.

Wish us luck!

Yours in health,

RD