Health and nutrition experts have warned Brits to avoid certain food pairings as they could cause a stomach ache – and it’s bad news for those who love a pizza and fizzy drink combo
We’ve all been guilty of indulging in a pizza and washing it down with a fizzy drink – but have you ever stopped to consider the impact this combo could be having on your health?
According to health and nutrition experts, such popular pairings could be wreaking havoc on our digestive systems. The team at Prepped Pots powered by MuscleFood warn that different foods digest at varying rates, so it’s best to pair those with similar digestion times to avoid discomfort and overloading your system.
Foods also have differing pH levels, with acidic foods including grains, eggs, meat and fizzy drinks, while alkaline foods include fruits and vegetables. Consuming foods with contrasting pH levels together can lead to improper digestion, resulting in bloating and gas for those with sensitive stomachs.
Ashleigh Tosh, a health and nutrition expert at Prepped Pots, advises: “When combining foods you want to look at two key components – how long they take to digest and their pH levels. The general rule of thumb is to stick to foods with similar digestion times and similar pH levels to give the stomach the best chance at digesting meals efficiently and effectively.”
Mixing the wrong foods can not only lead to uncomfortable bloating but also hinder your body from fully benefiting from your meals. For instance, sipping coffee or tea with your morning eggs can actually reduce the amount of iron absorbed by your body – imagine all those wasted nutrients!
Experts have compiled a list of food combinations to steer clear of if you want to avoid painful bloating.
The no-go combos
Fizzy drinks and pizza
This popular pairing can wreak havoc on your stomach. The refined carbs in pizza coupled with the added sugars in fizzy drinks can cause a significant surge in blood sugar levels.
Pizza, being a greasy food, when combined with carbonated drinks, can be tough on your digestive system, leading to an uncomfortably full and bloated feeling.
Fruits and cereals
For those with sensitive tummies, mixing fruits with grains might not be the best idea due to their differing digestion times. Fruits are easily digested by the stomach while grains tend to take longer. Consuming these foods together can cause discomfort.
Coffee and iron-rich foods
If you’re a fan of sipping coffee with your eggs in the morning, you might be hindering your body’s ability to absorb iron. Both coffee and tea possess properties that interfere with iron absorption, meaning you may not be reaping all the nutritional benefits from your meal.
To avoid this, hold off on your caffeine fix for at least an hour after consuming an iron-rich meal.
Eggs and meat
Pairing eggs with meat, such as sausages, can also be tough on the digestive system. Given that both eggs and meat are high in protein, combining them could result in a protein overload, leading to an upset stomach.
Yoghurts and fruit
While yoghurt and fruit may seem like a healthy duo, it’s worth noting that yoghurt is alkaline, while many fruits commonly paired with it, like blueberries and strawberries, are acidic. You can still savour a bowl of yoghurt and fruit for breakfast, but consider opting for alkaline fruits like raspberries and bananas instead.
