Recommended Books
Articles about Healthy Nutrition
Digestion Takes Time
Your body is an experiment and you control the input. The good news is that you can enjoy better health when your digestive system is working at optimum. Understanding the digestive process and realizing how you control the variables that affect it, helps you make better choices. Done effectively, your energy will increase.
Digestion is the process that enables food and drink to be utilized by your body to build and nourish your cells, providing energy. It's a mechanical and chemical process that begins in your mouth when food is chewed and mixed with saliva to break down the starches.
Your stomach continues breaking down the food by mixing with different enzymes depending on the type of food. Carbohydrates spend the least amount of time in the stomach, while protein stays longer and fats the longest. The organs of the digestive system work together, conducting the complex tasks of digesting and absorbing nutrients from the foods and liquids you consume.
This intricate system works more effectively when you limit the different types of foods that you consume at the same time. If you're over weight or your energy level is low, these 10 variables can activate your digestive process instead of slowing you down.
1 Proteins and complex carbohydrates need different processes to enable the breakdown and absorption of nutrients during digestion. By eating them separately at different meals, your digestion works efficiently because you're doing one process at a time. Instead of two competing against each other with the possibility of not digesting completely.
2 Separate your foods, so that one meal consists of protein and veggies and the next meal consists of carbs and veggies. Much easier to digest and takes less energy.
3 Portion control of carbs is very important. One cup of cooked pasta or rice, or 2 slices of whole grain bread, or one medium potato, is all the carbs you need with 3 - 4 servings of veggies for this meal.
4 Getting creative with fresh, organic veggies that include a variety of flavors that compliment and tantalize your taste buds so you enjoy the meal. One of my favorite flavor combinations is sautéed garlic in olive oil with spinach. Add slices of raw red pepper, avocado, onion and black olives. Variety of flavors and textures keeps it interesting.
5 When you desire steak, chicken or fish, combine that protein with three to four servings of different veggies. Sautéed mushrooms with garlic in olive oil until the natural juices come out. Have broccoli quick seared in chicken broth and baked carrots are amazing. These flavors melt together. By eliminating the bread and potato from this meal, you'll notice that you're not bloated and tired when you finish eating.
6 Heavy fats like cheese and red meat takes the longest to digest. If you're trying to lose weight, eliminate these animal fats from your diet. You'll feel better with more energy.
7 Allow at least three to four hours between meals, giving your body the time it needs to digest the food in your stomach. This lessens the stress on your digestion system because you're not throwing more food on top of partially digested food.
8 Do not eat fruit with other foods. The high sugar content is a stimulant and irritating to digestion. Eat fruit by itself and wait a few hours before you eat anything else. I now eat fruit three times a day and my appetite is under control and digestion is much more efficient. But, you have to do the timing properly for this to work effectively.
9 Don't drink fluids as you're eating. Let the digestive juices in your saliva do its job of breaking down the food in your mouth while you're chewing.
10 Eliminate foods that you're intolerant or allergic to, providing an environment with effective absorption of nutrients for your cells. Milk and sugar, sweet puddings, custards, pastries, jellies, jams are active causes of indigestion.
When your digestive system is healthy, the transformation of food into energy is automatic. But when the digestive system is malfunctioning, this leads to less absorption, malnutrition and takes away from the proper nourishment of your body.
Help your body reveal a healthier and happier you. Changing the way you combine foods is worth the small adjustments you'll make in order to have more energy with improved digestion. Unlock the power your body contains so your mind becomes more alert and clear. Your skin, hair and eyes tell your story. Small changes, big improvements, you control the input.
Susan Elaine Wheeler's fascination with human nature started at a very young age, always asking the question why. Why do people do the things they do? The cause and effect of our behaviors determine our environments with the decisions we make. Susan's career successes include owning her marketing company AMPS,which represented Audio and Music industry companies, National Sales for Kramer Guitars, creating Professional Accounts in Hollywood, CA and this year starting a new company, Creative Perspective Solutions, CPS working with individuals and companies that want to accelerate their excellence while maximizing their talents, qualities and vision through effective communications.
(c) 2008 Creative Perspective Solutions
http://susanewheeler.comArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Elaine_Wheeler
>> back to Related Articles Overview
This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Information provided is for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. You should not use the information or products contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. Information and statements regarding our alternative health products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
