1. Avoid fruit after a meal

The fruit is made up of simple sugars that are easily digested and do not need to stay in the stomach for a long period of time. When eaten with more complex foods that take longer to digest, the fruit stays in the stomach for too long and starts to ferment.

2. Drink warm water

Small sips of warm water during a meal can help aid digestion. Do not drink extremely cold water as the body uses too much effort to move it through the digestive tract, which should be saved to digest your meal.

3. Skip the cheese when eating Mexican food combinations

The combination of beans and cheese with the acidity of the tomatoes and guacamole will usually make their way on to your plate when eating some Mexican dishes. This combination can be very hard to digest and often leads to gas and bloating. Eliminating the cheese will make digestion easier.

4. Eat melons alone

If you’re craving a nice and refreshing melon this summer, try to avoid eating it with other fruits, meat or dairy. Melon can be difficult to digest if paired with anything else and is best eaten alone.

5. No need for double protein

Avoid having two types of protein on your plates, such as bacon and eggs or tofu and beans as the body has a difficult time digesting large amounts of protein. Instead, pick one type of protein and pair it with grains or vegetables.

6. Find an alternative to tomato sauce

Tomatoes are highly acidic foods and are difficult to digest when paired with carbohydrates and dairy, which includes most pasta dishes. The reason you often feel tired after a large Italian meal is because your body has to use so much energy to metabolize the food combination. Instead, try ordering a meat dish with tomato sauce or pasta with pesto.

7. Don’t add milk to your banana smoothie

According to Ayurveda, dairy and bananas are the worst food combination as it slows your digestive process and makes you feel heavy and lethargic for a long period of time. Instead, try adding coconut or almond milk to your smoothie.

Need other dietary advice? Have questions about how to eat to thrive?

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