Based on the Hay Diet, its later versions and my own experience I have developed theHarmonious Food Combining Programmewhich is a bit more flexible than the original, rigid Hay system. I called my versionHarmonious Food Combiningbecause its main purpose is to eat foods simply yet synergistically for optimal digestion. I’m not going to repeat the basic principles and the health benefits of the Hay Diet and my reformed version – please read them in these articles:

• Harmonious Food combining
• Food combining (principles of the Hay Diet)
• Pros and Cons of Food Combining

Please note that theHarmonious Food combining programmeis not about just losing weight, but eating harmoniously, in accord with our digestive system. Having said that, the result can be a significant weight-loss and/or weight stabilisation due to eating mainly healthy, wholesome, fresh vegetables, fruits, fish and nuts since processed foods are not allowed. This programme could work wonders for those who have digestive issues. Most importantly, you’ll have a flatter tummy (as bloating will vanish), reduced waistline, regular bowel movements and a much, much better skin complexion. Also you’ll feel well and energised.

Food categories

Most foods can be classed into three basic categories – protein, starch or fat. Most foods found in nature have both protein and starch in them – but one of them is always predominant. For example, grains contain about 10% protein, but not in a concentrated form (as in meat) therefore they are mainly starch. Milk is protein, but when made into butter, it’s mainly fat (up to 80%). There is one exemption – dried legumes/pulses (beans, peas, lentils) which contain a high percentage of both protein and starch. For this reason they can cause digestive problems. The Hay Diet urges people to omit pulses from their diet or eat them alone. Other experts classify them as starch, some as protein. To be honest, if they doesn’t cause you any problems, I believe that they can be very useful and healthy component both in a Protein and Starch based meal.

Chemical balance

Everything we eat has an acid-forming or alkaline-forming effect on our bodies. Meat, fish, some fruits & vegetables are acid-forming while most vegetables & salads are alkaline.  Some foods might be “acidic” but become alkaline-forming once digested in the body (such as lemon or grapefruit). Alkaline foods can be eaten together – even if their basic classification is different (such as fermented milk products and fruits).

Good and Bad Fats

Fats are digested in the upper part of the small intestine (not in the stomach) therefore they do not interfere with digestion of starch  or protein. Having said  that, we should only eat natural “good” fats, such as butter, cream, sour cream,cold-pressedvegetable oils and nuts. You should definitely avoid processed and hydrogenated fats such as margarine and spreads.

Fruits

Some fruits are alkaline-forming, some are acidic. They should be eaten alone as we digest them very quickly. If combined with concentrated proteins or starch, our stomach basically becomes a brewery, slowing down proper digestion and creating gases. Furthermore, acidic and sweet fruits must not be combined (such as banana and strawberry). Some fruits can sparingly be combined with proteins (such as pomegranate seeds and meat) and others with starch (cooked bananas, figs, dried fruits). More about this later.

Harmonious Food Combining categories

Based on the above, in theHarmonious Food Combining Programmethere  are four basic categories – Protein, Neutral, Starch and Fruits

• Most concentrated proteins belong toPROTEIN(fish, meat, eggs most dairy)
• Most concentrated starches belong toSTARCHES(grains, cereals, starchy vegetables)
• Fats and Alkaline-forming foods belong toNEUTRAL(butter, fat dairy, most vegetables, some alkaline fruits)
• Most fruits belong to FRUITS (There are acidic, sub-acidic & sweet fruits). Fruits from the different sub-categories should not be mixed, and melons should be eaten alone (though I’m still not sure why). You can mix alkaline-forming fruits with yoghurt, kefir and nuts. Sweet fruits can be used as sweeteners, particularly in cooked form.

Harmonious Food Combining rules

• Don’t combine foods from thePROTEINandSTARCH during one meal.
• You can combine foods from NEUTRALwith either PROTEIN or STARCH.
• Have oneSTARCHand onePROTEINmeal each day. Also you should have a modest  ALKALINEmeal (such as a fruit salad).
• Eat fruits alone (preferably for breakfast).
• Allow at least 4 hours between your main meals – 2 hours after eating fruits.

See theFOOD COMBINING CHARTfor the categories of the most common foods

In the next article read about how to create aFood combining planthat is easy to follow (coming soon).