The Rules of Proper Food Combining: The Hay Diet

Food Combining, developed by Dr. William Hay in the 1930s, works on the premise that proteins and carbohydrates should be eaten separately as they have different digestive requirements. Animal proteins require an acid medium for digestion, whereas carbohydrates require an alkaline medium.

When we eat animal proteins, hydrochloric acid is produced in the stomach, which activates the enzyme, pepsin, to break down the protein for digestion. This process can only take place in a wholly acid medium.

When we eat carbohydrates, the digestion process begins in the mouth where the enzyme, ptyalin, starts to break down the starches before they enter the small intestine for main digestion. The presence of animal proteins, or other acid-accompanying foods such as acid fruits, neutralizes the alkaline medium necessary for the carbohydrate digestion process to take place. So when carbohydrates and proteins are eaten together in the same meal, there is too much acid to enable proper digestion of the carbohydrates, and too much alkaline to enable proper digestion of the proteins, which results in undigested food that ferments in the stomach and intestines. Over time, this can result in excess weight gain, and create an environment for additional health issues.

The Basic Principles of the Hay Diet

• Do not eat carbohydrates and proteins, or acid fruits, in the same meal; allow a 3 to 4 hour interval between carbohydrate meals and protein meals.

• Vegetables and fruits should constitute the majority of your diet.

• Eat vegetables alone or with your carbohydrate or protein meals, however eat fruits separately from other foods.

• Eat proteins, starches, and fats in small quantities.

• Eat only whole grain and unprocessed starches; exclude refined processed foods such as white flour, white sugar, and margarine.

• Enjoy a healthier more vital you.