The main facts about separate nutrition: all pros and cons
The main facts about separate nutrition: all pros and cons
Separate nutrition implies that food should be simple, and for better digestion, foods must be properly combined with each other. We understand whether this is so and what doctors think about separate nutrition.
The main principle of separate nutrition is that it is difficult for the human body to digest and absorb mixed food. Proponents of this approach believe that the simultaneous use of proteins, fats and carbohydrates leads to a conflict of digestive enzymes - and while one food is digested, the other "rots". But medicine assures that by nature man is omnipotent, and digestion is an orderly process that includes a large number of enzymes.
Separate nutrition is based on the idea that some products go well with each other and others do not
What is separate nutrition?
Separate nutrition is based on the idea that some products go well with each other, while others do not. This approach was first described in Ayurvedic medicine several centuries ago. But the idea of food compatibility was worked out in more detail at the beginning of the XX century. The main theorists whose works are still criticized were William Hay and Herbert Shelton, who is called the founder of separate nutrition.
His concept is based on the hypothesis that different products need different digestion rates, a set of enzymes and pH levels. Based on this, for example, the body will not be able to properly assimilate beef steak with potatoes. Conversely, when food comes of one species, such as protein, enzymes work most effectively.
From the standpoint of traditional medicine, the theory of separate nutrition is quite controversial. Nutritionists, gastroenterologists and nutritionists criticize it and consider it a "health myth." The theory of separate nutrition was widely advertised by Hollywood stars, but, in fact, people were simply taught to eat less, monitor their diet and meal time." The theory of separate nutrition has not found scientific confirmation. For the body of a healthy person, there is no difference in what proteins, fats and carbohydrates act - together or separately, the stomach can digest their different combinations.
Digestion is the process of mechanical and enzymatic breakdown of food into substances for absorption into the bloodstream. Food contains three main macronutrients: fats, carbohydrates and proteins
Why do you need separate meals?
Different food is digested at different speeds.
Digestive rate
Work of enzymes
Digestive rate
The combination of quickly and slowly digested food creates a "traffic jam", which leads to negative consequences, such as fermentation, rotting and gas formation. But with the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and the absence of enzyme deficiency, nothing like this happens. If we are talking about a disease, it should be treated with special diets or medicines, as prescribed by the attending physician.
Work of enzymes
Another reason is that certain enzymes and pH levels are required to split different products. Therefore, the main task of separate nutrition is to minimize the use of "mixed food", that is, dishes that contain fats, carbohydrates and proteins at the same time. In fact, it makes no difference whether together or separately these elements enter the gastrointestinal tract. Especially since any product has a certain share of all three elements.
In addition, studies show that, for example, pepsin and lipase (the main enzymes of gastric juice) are released in the stomach, even if the food does not contain proteins or fats.
Rules of separate nutrition.
Usually in combined diets, products are divided into groups: carbohydrates, starches, fruits, vegetables, proteins, fats. In some diets, food is divided into acidic, alkaline or neutral. The general rules for all these diets are as follows:
Proteins do not go with starches;
One concentrated source of protein is needed in one food intake;
Starchy vegetables and high-carbohydrate products are combined only with boiled non-starchy vegetables;
Meat, fish and eggs should be eaten with non-scrachy vegetables;
Nuts, seeds and dried fruits are combined only with raw vegetables;
Fruits should be eaten separately, especially watermelon and melon.
Other rules say that protein should not be mixed with fat, sugar should be eaten only separately, and dairy products can only be consumed on an empty stomach, especially milk. The interval between meals should be at least two hours.
With each intake of food, the pancreas produces pancreatic juice, the gallbladder supplies bile, which in turn contain all the enzymes for splitting proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Therefore, if you first eat 1/3 of boiled chicken, and after 10-15 minutes treat yourself to a slice of watermelon or melon, the pancreas and gallbladder will release as many enzymes as necessary if they are healthy.
Limiting the consumption of fat, sugar and starch can contribute to weight loss
What are the advantages of separate nutrition?
The advantages of separate nutrition include:
Limiting the consumption of fat, sugar and starch, which can contribute to weight loss;
The menu is generally diverse (there are many compatibility tables and examples of dishes for the week);
There is no need to count calories or points, which partially facilitates the nutrition process;
Controlling your diet and the size of the portions eaten is simple, which in the end can also help to lose weight.
Attention! It is better to discuss any cardinal changes in your diet with a nutritionist. This is important so that separate nutrition does not lead to disruption of metabolic processes throughout the body and a shortage of trace elements necessary to build cells.
What are the disadvantages of separate nutrition?
Like any other strict diet, this type of diet is not suitable for everyone, and in some chronic diseases, separate nutrition is completely contraindicated. Doctors also do not recommend constantly following this scheme. In this case, there is a risk of disrupting the correct production of enzymes. Here are a few more disadvantages of this approach:
The beliefs underlying separate nutrition have not yet found scientific support, moreover, some of them contradict traditional medicine at all, for example, it is known that the fat environment is an important factor for the absorption of some vitamins;
The doctrine of separate nutrition is outdated - its basic principles were developed almost 100 years ago, and during this time knowledge about the work of the human digestive tract has expanded significantly;
Many products cannot be attributed only to proteins, carbohydrates or fats, almost everyone has its own share of all three elements;
People with certain chronic diseases should be especially careful with separate nutrition, for example, in diabetes it is important to consume a certain amount of protein or fat so that blood sugar levels do not increase;
Separation of food by proteins, fats and carbohydrates can lead to unwanted calorie deficiencies, as a result, a person will feel tired and drowsiness, and in the worst case, lack of energy can lead to a slowdown in metabolism.
I don't think a healthy person should stick to separate nutrition. Alternatively, you can focus on the useful properties of certain products and their correct ratio in the diet, which will allow all trace elements to be absorbed in the right volume.