Getting the most from your proteins

Many people have difficulty breaking down and digesting proteins. In fact it is a common occurrence found in a lot of people who have had a hair mapping with us. If you are unable to digest certain proteins this can impact your body causing inflammation along with the side effects of diarrhoea, cramping, gas, bloating, stomach ache and nausea. 

Protein is essential

Water is essential for staying alive and well followed by protein. Protein is contained in muscles, organs and our hair etc. The protein in our diet is broken down into amino acids for the specific purposes needed by the body. Many of our bodily processes rely on our amino acids through diet to function.

Our stomach acid is needed to activate our digestive enzymes. It is these enzymes that in fact work to break down the food we eat all starting when we chew our food in the mouth!

Your Diet

If your diet consists of protein & starchy foods together (think meat and potatoes) it requires your stomach acid to work harder. This is because your stomach has to digest both the protein and the carbohydrates in two different ways. In preparing meals it is a good idea not to mix protein and starchy foods together. Better to use greens with meat.

By combining your protein source with alkaline forming foods such as green leafy veg it will make it much easier for your body to digest protein. You can also increase the enzyme rich food in your diet to assist your digestive system. Increase the amount of vegetables and raw fruits you consume to source these extra enzymes. Raw fruit and vegetables is a better option because the cooking process destroys any living enzymes. So try to include lots of raw vegetable options into your meals.

Increase the amino acid supporting foods in your diet such as:

• Meat
• Seeds
• Lentils
• Chickpeas
• Green Vegetables
• Spirulina
• Onion
• Garlic
• Peppers

THE SIMPLE ACT OF CHEWING
Proper chewing not only improves digestion, but it helps your body process the proteins you’re having, whilst sending a signal to your brain that  the eating has begun which activates the digestive process. The more your food is chewed and broken down, the easier it is on the body,  because it enters the stomach and is less work for the enzymes that are needed to assist the absorption of nutrients.