One of the most important takeaways from my studies as an Ayurvedic practitioner has been the choices we make about our foods BEFORE they go into our mouths is only the half of it. The way that our really incredible bodies process and turn our foods into fuel (and medicine,) is another important factor to consider and one that is left out of Western meal planning all together.
The biggest example of this, is fruits. Fruits are wonderful and powerful for us. But they’re very difficult for us to digest when we combine them with other foods. It’s all science, and has to do with the chemistry of our food when combined with the enzymes and digestive juices in the stomach. Yes, this means bananas with nut butter, apples with cheese, fruit and yogurt parfaits, blueberries on top of pancakes…and anytime we blend them up with “stuff” in a smoothie. Ayurveda recommends that we consume fruit entirely by itself, at least an hour before eating other things UNLESS we…
– are cooking the fruit with other foods
– unless the fruits are dates or figs (this has to do with the pH of the fruit!)
This sounds insane, right? I thought so too. And then I tried eating fruits according to Ayurveda’s recommendations. I had never realized a subtle bloating my body had all the time until I stopped combining fruits with other foods. I noticed my digestion improve, my enjoyment of both fruit and food increase.
The reasoning behind this insane claim is actually relatively easy to understand. Being predominantly comprised of natural sugars, fruits break down faster than all other foods in our stomachs. Our bodies hang onto the bolus of food (whatever we eat together) until all of the food has been adequately digested. The fruits basically get “overcooked” or fermented in our stomachs in this way. Think of a wine that is past and how sour it is — this is what happens to our fruit in there.
The result is usually gas and bloating. At least it is in my body. And in my partner’s body. And many of my clients bodies too. It might only be mild, but it’s there.
But that still leaves the question of the smoothie. How can something so easy, convenient and seemingly delicious be not-good for you!! Besides! The internet said smoothies are good!
IF we combine our ingredients wisely, in a way that helps all of the components of the smoothie to be digested in the same amount of time, smoothies are excellent ways to mainline nutrients into our bodies.
I like to think of making a smoothie like this: would I eat all of the ingredients I’m putting into my smoothie in a bowl, with a fork? Spinach, banana, almond butter, yogurt, chocolate chips + mystery protein powder? No? Then I’m not going to blend them up in a smoothie.
BUT, I would absolutely eat carrots, dates, hemp seeds + spices together. YUM. This recipe will ground you, help you recover, revitalize, helps w/inflammation and is generally a really powerful snack or easy breakfast.
One more thing about the fruit combining rule: don’t worry toooo much about this. If your biggest nutritional downfall is that you love fresh fruit in your cereal, you’re doing alright. But give it a try in your body and see how you feel. If you notice a change in your digestion, or have less gas or bloating, you’re onto something.
And lastly, if you’re interested in learning more about what Ayurveda has to say about smoothies, this is a resource written by one of my professors.
Are Smoothies Really Good for Me?
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