Good and Bad Food Combos

When making decisions on food pairings, people generally do what tastes best. Sometimes this is OK, sometimes it is not.

It all depends on how the foods will chemically react to one another inside of your body. And as always, science constantly has its two-cents to put into the equation. Here are some of the latest food pairing “do’s” and “don’ts”:

DO’S:

Steak and Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts and other cruciferous veggies, such as broccoli and cauliflower, contain certain compounds that can help rid the body of carcinogens. Namely, the carcinogens formed on the meat through the grilling process. Of course, it’s always better practice to cook meat slowly until it’s done, but the grill probably isn’t going anywhere for a while, and a little burnt taste is often preferred.

Avocado and Tomato

Antioxidants get a lot of press these days. And for good reason. Tomatoes are known to contain large amounts of lycopene, an antioxidant that can help protect against prostate cancer, other forms of cancer, and other serious diseases. Hence, tomatoes are known as a “super food.” But mix tomatoes with avocado and what do you get? A super food on steroids. The fat in the avocado allows your body to absorb seven times more lycopene.

Spinach and Oranges

Spinach, as Popeye would have you believe, is good for you as it’s high in iron. However, to get the most out of your spinach, you need vitamin C. That’s where the orange comes into play. The vitamin C converts the iron in spinach, and other veggies like broccoli, into a form that is more easily absorbed by the body.

DON’TS:

Alcohol and Energy Drinks

It seems to be the trend these days, but as more information is coming out, the general consensus of the medical community is that mixing alcohol and energy drinks can be quite dangerous. This is because the stimulants found in energy drinks (caffeine, etc.) and the fact that alcohol is a depressant, confuses the nervous system. This can cause heart palpitations, breathing problems, and in severe cases, heart attack and/or stroke. It is generally advisable to give a couple hours time in between the consumption of such beverages.

Alcohol and Diet Soda

The lack of sugar in the diet soda makes your body process the concoction at a faster rate. In turn, this can cause you to become drunk faster. This is because the calories found in a sweet mixed drink slow the emptying of the stomach, which causes your small intestine to absorb the alcohol at a slower rate. Take those calories away though and you may find yourself stumbling around a bit quicker than you had anticipated.

Coffee and Breakfast Cereal

In this instance, antioxidants are the culprit. Polyphenois, an antioxidant found in coffee, black tea, and some herbal teas, can actually hamper your body’s ability to effectively absorb the iron found in most breakfast cereals. The solution? Have your cup of joy before or after the cereal.