An Introduction to Food Combinations

INTRODUCTION
If we were to pick a language that everyone on Earth understands and loves, it's got to be food! Over time, we've realized just how powerful food can be in shaping our lives. It can affect our age, our weight, our health – you name it. Because of this, there's been a ton of research and discoveries in the world of food.

Think about it: when you look in the mirror, you probably notice those lines on your face. It's natural to wonder if you're aging too quickly or if time is just flying by. We all wonder what we can do about it.

And then there's the scale. Stepping on it can be a real eye-opener. If the number is higher than you expected, panic sets in. You might worry that you're gaining weight and that it'll slow you down. It's like our brains instantly connect our weight to feeling heavy and tired, and we might even consider signing up for a gym class on the spot.

We're so conscious of how we look that we sometimes forget the solution can be simple. In today's world, we're bombarded with pollution and tempting fast food. These factors play a big role in how we eat and how we look. Fast food joints often serve up unhealthy meals that can lead to various problems.

Now, let's talk about finding the perfect diet. We all want something that really works, gives us energy, makes us look and feel young, doesn't break the bank, and is sustainable. One interesting and practical discovery in this quest is "food combining." It's all about how you pair different foods, and it can make a huge difference in digestion, cholesterol levels, and metabolism. Without proper digestion, your body can't fully soak up all the goodness from even the healthiest foods.

But before we dive deep into the world of food combining, we need to understand the basics of food, like its categories and how our bodies handle it. These basics are the foundation of this whole concept. So, in the upcoming chapters, we'll take a closer look at these fundamentals to really get the hang of food combining. Get ready for a tasty journey of discovery!

Before we dive into this, here's a little piece of wisdom to keep in mind:

"Food and drinks are like the fuel for our bodies. But if we don't realize that some things we eat and drink might not go well together, and we just mix them all up without thinking, it can mess up our insides and lead to big problems. So, if you want to take care of your health, be smart about what you put into your body."

This advice comes from Chia Ming in his book "Essential Knowledge for Eating and Drinking" way back in 1368 AD. It's a reminder that what we eat and drink matters, and we should be mindful of our choices. Now, let's explore more about how food can affect us! 😊

FOOD AND NUTRITION
It all starts with the food we eat. Nutrition is like the science that explores how our bodies work with the food we put into them. Food is essentially anything that contains carbohydrates, water, fats, and/or proteins, and we consume it either to nourish ourselves or simply because it tastes good. This includes everything from what we munch on to what we drink. Food can come from plants, animals, or even other sources like fungi. Back in the day, people used to hunt and gather their food, but nowadays, most of us get our food from farming, ranching, fishing, and similar methods. While hunting and foraging still happen, they play a smaller role in most cultures.

Now, what we eat regularly is called our diet. Everyone has their own unique diet, shaped by where they live and their family traditions. As we grow up, our diet might change a little, but some things stay the same. Food preferences can vary a lot from person to person and from one living creature to another.

Unlike some animals, we can't magically create food from sunlight, wind, or water. Our food comes from plants and animals. Plants, with a little help from the sun, make their food from the chemicals in water, air, and soil. Animals, including us, eat food in its raw form because we have special digestive organs that can handle it.

Speaking of us humans, we have quite a diverse diet. We like to cook and prepare our food, and in different parts of the world, you'll find different staple foods. For instance, in many Asian countries, rice and corn are always on the menu, while in the West, potatoes and bread are more common. These staple foods are the main sources of carbohydrates in our diets. We also get protein and dairy products in our meals. However, sometimes we get so busy eating that we forget to think about the nutritional value of our food. It's important to have a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in our diet, and we'll dive into what each of these does for our bodies in the upcoming chapters.

One thing we should never do is skip meals in an attempt to lose weight. When we deprive our bodies of food, it can actually make things worse, even if we appear physically fine on the outside. Our health can deteriorate if we don't fuel ourselves properly. So, remember, eating in a balanced way is the way to go! 

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF FOOD IN OUR LIVES
It's undeniable that we absolutely need food to survive. Food and water are at the core of our existence. You see, we can do without fancy houses, expensive cars, or trendy clothes, but we can't go without food and water for more than a week.

If you look around, you'll see that many parts of the world, especially in third-world countries, face a big problem called malnutrition. They have some food, but it doesn't provide them with the daily calories or energy their bodies require. Sometimes, they don't even have enough food to eat more than once or twice a day. It's like the saying goes, "you are what you eat." If we consume a lot of greasy and oily foods, we're likely to become overweight or unhealthy. On the other hand, if we load up on sweets and caffeine, we can't expect to have that ideal, healthy body we dream about.

1. Energy Source: Food is like our fuel; it provides the energy we need for all our daily activities, from the moment we wake up in the morning.
2. Growth and Repair: Food plays a critical role in our growth and the repair of damaged cells in our bodies. It helps keep our systems in good shape.
3. Heat Production: Food even helps us stay warm by producing heat in the form of energy.
4. Health and Immunity: It's not just about physical strength. Food keeps us healthy and strengthens our immune system, which is our defense against diseases and illnesses.
5. Youthful Appearance: Eating well can also make us look and feel younger. A well-nourished person tends to appear youthful for their age because their body can handle the daily stresses it faces.

To function at its best, our body needs nutrients found in food. If we don't provide our body with the right nutrients, our brain can't work properly, and we'll experience fatigue and stress due to the lack of food. Extreme dieting can be harmful, especially to our digestive and cardiovascular systems, and the damage may become irreversible. So, it's clear that food isn't just about satisfying our hunger; it's the key to a healthy and vibrant life.

Written by: Matt English, AlphaGenix Founder & CEO