In order to maximize digestion, we need to eat the fastest digesting foods first, and the slowest digesting foods last, so that the food can pass through our bodies as fast as possible. Fruit is the lightest food, passing through the stomach in about 20-30 minutes and should only be eaten on an empty stomach. Starches remain in the stomach for a couple hours, and proteins take even longer. The longer our food sits in our hot 98 degree body, the longer it has to ferment and rot. We want food to move as quickly as possible through our bodies, absorbing the nutrients we need and eliminating the rest as quickly and effortlessly as possible. If you start your meal with some fresh fruit, then a salad or some green vegetables, followed by your choice of protein such as fish, all your food is speeding along the digestive track as it should. Now if you reverse the order, the fish is sitting in the stomach blocking the way of the fruit you had for dessert. Your body doesn’t absorb nutrients until it reaches the small intestine. Because it took the fruit so long to reach the intestines, you are no longer absorbing the nutrients and instead the fruit is just fermenting on top of the fish. We should aim to eat light to heavy all day long, starting with breakfast. Breakfast should be the lightest meal of the day (preferably a green smoothie). The digestion process takes about 80% of your energy, so you don’t want to eat a big breakfast and have it steal your energy before you even start your day. Lunch should also be a light meal, so that you don’t catch a mid-day slump and reach for another cup of coffee. Make dinner your heaviest meal. This allows adequate time for your body to digest it while you are sleeping, without putting any more food on top of it making the digestive system work harder. Try eating light to heavy for a week or two and notice the difference. You will feel lighter and have more energy throughout the day 💃🏻 #lighttoheavy #digestivehealth #healthiswealth #smoothease #cle
