Food pairings that maximise nutritional benefits
MANY foods are commonly paired together for taste: fruit jam and peanut butter, ham and cheese, cookies and milk, spaghetti and meatballs, wine and cheese, the list goes on.
Yet there is a more important reason to pair certain foods, and that is to increase nutrient absorption.
It is true: the foods you eat together can increase the beneficial effects of eating, including increasing nutrient absorption and boosting the effectiveness of antioxidants.
It is common knowledge that “we are what we eat”, but in reality “we are what we absorb” which is why food combinations that improve absorption are key.
Our body’s ability to absorb a nutrient from food is called nutrient bioavailability, and it is totally possible to enhance the bioavailability of vitamins by combining certain foods.
What causes poor absorption?
Anything can affect how well your body absorbs nutrients.
An imbalanced gut microbiome, for instance, will impact which nutrients get absorbed. Stress and poor sleep, the usual culprits in many of our health issues, also often undermine absorption levels. Even your age or weight may play a part.
So, how can we ensure we get as many nutrients out of our food as possible? By taking on a healthy lifestyle, eating nutrient-rich foods, and pairing those foods with ingredients that boost healthy absorption.
According to health experts, the best way to reap maximum nutrients from food is by going for balanced and diverse meals that include protein, fresh produce like fruits and colourful vegetables, healthy grains, and seeds. Lastly, by keeping a check on the servings or portions. So, we have done our research and the next time you are sitting down to plan your meals, consider the food pairings below to help increase nutrient absorption and get even more out of your favourite recipes.
If you already enjoy yoghurt as part of your breakfast or as a snack, make sure to choose an unsweetened Greek variety, which contains more protein, and then add your own fresh bananas. Picture: Pexels/ Markus Winkler
Bananas and Greek yoghurt
Bananas contain inulin, a plant-based carbohydrate.
Research shows that inulin, when added to yoghurt, can increase the growth of yoghurt’s healthy bacteria, thereby helping to regulate digestion even further and boosting immunity.
If you already enjoy yoghurt as part of your breakfast or as a snack, make sure to choose an unsweetened Greek variety, which contains more protein, and then add your own fresh bananas.
Almond butter and banana
Whether you are mixing them into your overnight oats, whipping up a smoothie, or alternating between bites, only good things can come from combining almond butter and bananas.
The fibre and protein in the nut butter work against the sugar in the fruit, keeping you from an unpleasant crash.
Sounds nuts, we know, but as the almonds slow down the rate at which your body absorbs the sugar, your glucose levels remain more stable. You would be bananas not to try this trick out.
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