Share
A healthy body is what everybody wants. And no, a healthy body is just not about attaining the right weight but it refers to a state of physical, mental, and emotional well-being in which an individual's bodily systems and functions are functioning optimally with a sense of vitality and balance. It means that an individual is free from illness, disease, and physical discomfort. A healthy person has the emotional stability, emotional resilience and capacity to maintain emotional equilibrium in various life situations.
Having a balanced diet comprising essential nutrients is one of the easiest ways to have a healthy and fit body. And you know what? Not just eating but eating the right food combinations plays a crucial role too. Certain nutrients are better absorbed when consumed with specific combinations of foods. Having the right food combinations can help in regulating blood sugar levels help and can also help in weight management. Proper food combinations can support good digestive health too. You didn’t know this, did you?
Video credits: Gunjanshouts/YouTube
Some foods when consumed together can bring out the best results. In an exclusive conversation with Slurrp, Nutritionist Lovneet Batra shared her opinion on some of the food combinations that are right and appropriate for a healthy body.
The Right Food Combinations To Have
Vitamin C And Plant-Based Iron and Vitamin C
If some studies are to be believed, plant-based iron when combined with vitamin C helps in optimal absorption. Since vitamin C helps in helps in better iron absorption, this combination is considered appropriate. While talking to Slurrp, nutritionist Lovneet Batra said that vitamin C (ascorbic acid) increases the absorption of plant-based iron by forming a chelate with ferric iron at an acid pH that is soluble at an alkaline pH of the small intestine, thus increasing absorption.
Vegetables and Healthy Fats
As per nutritionist Lovneet Batra, vegetables are a great source of vitamins A, E and K which are all fat soluble. Naturally, vegetables are low in fat so pairing helps in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. It also helps with better digestibility of fibre present. It also increases the absorption of antioxidants like lycopene present in vegetables. Thus, having veggies with a dressing of nutritious cold-pressed olive oil or just nuts can work well.
Good Fats and Vitamin K
Vitamin K is an essential component when it comes to healthy bone health as well as blood coagulation. Nutritionist Lovneet Batra said that Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin and thus, it should be paired with good fats for better absorption. So, whenever you are having a leafy green salad, you must have it with walnuts, almonds, peanuts, cashews, or olive oil, rich in healthy fats.
Rice And Dal
Rice and dal are a staple in many Indian households. A lot of people believe that vegetarian foods like this don’t contain any essential nutrients but this is not true. While pulses are high in lysine and low in cysteine and methionine, rice consists of cysteine and methionine, sulfur-containing amino acids. As per nutritionist Lovneet Batra, rice and dal are complete protein. She said that dal and rice stand-alone don’t have all essential amino acids, they complement each other.
Soy and Tomatoes
As per studies, soy and tomatoes are an ideal combination for those suffering from prostate cancer. This is because of the interaction of antioxidant chemicals lycopene from tomatoes and isoflavones from soy. According to nutritionist Lovneet Batra, this combination enhances isoflavone absorption and thus, is beneficial.
