Principles of Food Combining:

The key aim of food combining is to improve digestion.

1. Do not combine protein and starchy carbohydrates at the same meal.

2. Only eat fruit on an empty stomach, especially melons, and at least half an hour away
from other food. The idea here is that fruits and vegetables have different biochemical
structures and breakdown at different stages of digestion.

3. Starches OR proteins can be combined with “neutral” non-starchy vegetables (see table
below), herbs, and oils, as well as nuts and seeds.

4. Refrain from drinking cold water/fluids during meals, or for at least one hour, to prevent
disrupting the digestive process.

Eating a “mixed meal” will leave partially digested food in your system while the
other foods are being digested. During this waiting period, the partially digested food
will ferment and it is this that contributes to digestive discomfort and toxic build up.

Food Groups

Starches*: potatoes, root vegetables, grains, beans & pulses.

e.g. butternut squash, sweet potatoes, yams, avocadoes, white potatoes, beetroot, parsnips,
turnip, wheat, bread & pasta, rice, oats, rye, millet, buckwheat, quinoa, amaranth, spelt, corn,
peas, chickpeas, butterbeans, navy beans, black beans, cannellini beans, haricot beans,
lentils, split peas.

Proteins: meat, fish, seafood, eggs, dairy, soya, Quorn.

Fats (oils, butter, cream, nuts), dried and fresh herbs and spices are also considered ‘neutral’
foods and can be combined with either group.

*Legumes and pulses, starch or protein? – whilst beans, lentils and chickpeas are a blend of protein
and starches they are more starch based than protein (roughly 30% protein). These are therefore
best used as a basis for starch-based meals (e.g. a vegetarian bake or bean & vegetable soup).

For further reading research: The Hay Diet.

Unit 1, Bulrushes Farm T: +44 (0)1342 410 505 CNM – The College of
Coombe Hill Road, East F: +44 (0)1342 410 909 Naturopathic Medicine Ltd.
Grinstead, West Sussex E: info@naturopathy-uk.com Registered in England
RH19 4LZ www.naturopathy-uk.com and Wales no. 6936339
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 *Non-Starchy Vegetables

Aubergine Chinese Parsley

Cabbage
Asparagus Courgettes Peppers
Bean Sprouts Cucumber Red Cabbage
Beans Fennel Radishes
Bell Peppers Garlic Rocket
Bok Choy Green Beans Savoy Cabbage
Broccoli Ginger Spinach
Brussels Sprouts Kale Spaghetti Squash
Carrots- raw Lettuce Swiss Chard
Cauliflower Mangetout Tomatoes
Celeriac Mushrooms White Cabbage
Celery Onions Watercress

Learn more about food combining, nutrition and healthy eating on CNM’s Nutrition for
Everyday Living Short Course. This short nutrition course has been designed to give you
the confidence and knowledge to be able to choose the right foods to positively impact your
health, and help friends and family too.

Scan the QR code below or visit www.naturopathy-uk.com to learn more.

Unit 1, Bulrushes Farm T: +44 (0)1342 410 505 CNM – The College of
Coombe Hill Road, East F: +44 (0)1342 410 909 Naturopathic Medicine Ltd.
Grinstead, West Sussex E: info@naturopathy-uk.com Registered in England
RH19 4LZ www.naturopathy-uk.com and Wales no. 6936339
Join us on Facebook at: facebook.com/CNM.UK
Unit 1, Bulrushes Farm T: +44 (0)1342 410 505 CNM – The College of
Coombe Hill Road, East F: +44 (0)1342 410 909 Naturopathic Medicine Ltd.
Grinstead, West Sussex E: info@naturopathy-uk.com Registered in England
RH19 4LZ www.naturopathy-uk.com and Wales no. 6936339
Join us on Facebook at: facebook.com/CNM.UK