Fresh fruits are regarded as one of my favourite foods to consume! It provides energy quickly in times of need, since fruits pass through the stomach in a short period of time. However, it is important to know how to correctly consume fruits. When inappropriately eaten, fruits can have a devastating effect on our body and may lead to some harmful side effects.
Signs of incorrect consumption of fruits include:
- Flatulence
- Gas
- Bloating
- Ulcers
- Excess weight
- GER / Acid reflux
- Premature lines on face
- Graying hair
- Dark under eye circles
Have you ever felt sleepy after a meal? Well, it is preventable and there is a way to feel even more energized AFTER a meal. Digestion of food requires a large amount of energy (for secretion of digestive enzymes etc.). Fruits are a great energy boosters because the digestion of fruits requires very little energy! Here's why: everything we eat has to be broken down into basic building blocks (amino acids, fatty acids, glucose, fructose). So, how do we properly consume fruits? Here are the simple ways to eat fruits so that they can boost your beauty and energy - the way nature intended them to!
1. Eat fruits only on an empty stomach
I cannot stress this enough! This is the MOST IMPORTANT point of all. A lot of people consume fruits as a dessert, after a meal, or combine them with other foods (such as bread, yoghurt, cereal) - this is a recipe for DISASTER. Fruits must be consumed only on an empty stomach. This is because of its high water content (around 80-90%). All fruits (with the exception of bananas, dates and dried fruit) pass through the stomach in twenty to thirty minutes, and is digested in the intestines.
So, what happens when you have fruit with other foods or after a meal? If you eat a piece of melon after your meal, the melon is ready to go straight pass through the stomach into the intestines. BUT it cannot do so because the stomach is filled with other foods. As a result, the melon is trapped in the stomach, starts to ferment, causing bloating, acid reflux and all those nasty stuff! Then, you feel tired and sleepy, bloated and may even experience acid reflux.
2. Fruits and vegetables, starches, proteins
Fresh fruits and vegetables do well together, so it is okay to combine fruits with vegetables - such as in a green smoothie! As a general rule, starches leave your stomach in 3 hours and proteins in 4, so it is best to wait for 3-4 hours before having fruit next.
3. Enjoy fruits in the morning
A great time to reap all the detoxifying and beautifying benefits of fruits is in the morning, when you are hungry. This is because the stomach is empty at this time, and fruits will be digested and assimilated extremely quickly - providing your body with great benefits.
4. Exceptional fruits
Fruits such as lemons, tomatoes, avocados and cucumbers are exceptional fruits as they are able to combine well with other food. So, feel free enjoy squeezing lemons as a dressing with your lunch or dinner!
5. Eat melons alone
Due to their high water content, enjoy melons such as watermelons and cantaloupes should be enjoyed alone. Watermelon slushies are great refreshing drinks to be enjoyed on a hot day.
I hope these simple tips and explanations will help you in your journey to a more energized, healthier and happier you! I swear by these rules, and the best way to understand is by trying them for yourself. You will feel so much energy that you will never want to go back to improper fruit consumption! Let me know how you go.
To your health.
Jia Ni xo
