While some foods are far healthier when paired with others than when eaten alone, (examples are broccoli and tomato to fight cancer, yogurt and honey to improve digestive system…), there are food pairs that are just the opposite and you should avoid eating together, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
In fact, although they most likely are not fatal, those inharmonious duos mainly create three troubles:
- Obstruct the absorption of nutrients.
- Destroy the nutrition values.
- Induce stomach bloating causing discomfort.
- Combine and create another kind of chemical substances.
So, let’s find out some bad pairs “who” should file restraining order against each other (if they were to be human):
Strong Tea and Red Kidney Beans
The tannic acid contained in strong tea will integrate with the rich iron carried in red kidney beans, which will affect the absorption of the iron.
Soy Beans and Broccoli
When eating together, the phytic acid found in soy beans and the iron in broccoli will have integration, which considerably reduces the iron absorption.
Lobster and Pomegranate
When the protein in lobster interacts with the tannic acid found in pomegranate, insoluble complexes will be formed and leads to stomach discomfort. Another alike pair is crab and persimmon.
Spinach and Bean Curd
When combining together, the oxalic acid in spinach and the calcium in bean curd will form calcium oxalate that causes abdominal pain. Also look out for blueberries and bean curd as they produce the same effect.
Fortunately, as long as you haven’t eaten large amount of the aforesaid food pairs, there won’t have serious adverse effects. Yet, if you really have and feel unwell, try not to take medicine first. Instead, drink more water and wait at least four hours before eating (light food such as rice porridge) again, TCM Practitioner suggested.
And for nutrients absorption, you may eat more vitamin C-rich food such as kiwi, papaya, orange etc. to counteract the influence brought by phytic acid when you have strong tea and red kidney beans at the same time.
Image by mag3737
Isn’t it too good to be true? Loosing fat no longer requires hard works, aids, will power….? Unfortunately, it not only is a fallacy and won’t work, but also does our body more harm than good.
