What is a dissociated diet.
The dissociated diet, in fact, contradicts everything we have been taught about nutrition over the past few decades. It is based on a combination of products, which involves eating only certain food groups (for example, all starches or all vegetables). The diet was developed by Dr. William Howard Hay, who believed that your body should produce and secrete various digestive enzymes for alkaline and acidic foods.In fact, adhering to a dissociated diet, you are not recommended to eat full-fledged dishes that include various food groups.
What the experts say
The dissociated diet suggests that alkaline and acidic foods cannot be digested together, but experts agree that there is no scientific justification for this. Eating only one food group at a time and limiting protein/fat increases the risk of nutrient deficiency and is unsustainable.
What can I eat?
The basic rule of a dissociated diet is to eat only one food group at a time. You can follow this rule in different ways:
* Eat only one food group at a time
* Eat only one food group per day
* Eat only one food group during the day (divide your day into parts, while you stick to certain food groups)
The dissociated diet consists of three food groups: proteins, starches and neutral foods. You can combine proteins with neutral foods and starches with neutral foods, but you should avoid combining proteins and starches.
Acidic fruits
Combine with slightly acidic fruits, nuts and seeds. Do not combine sour fruits with sweet fruits or other foods other than tomatoes.
* Grapefruit
· Oranges
* Lemons
* Limes
* Pineapples
* Grenades
* Tomatoes
Slightly acidic fruits
Combine with sour or sweet fruits, but not with both at the same time. You can also combine slightly acidic fruits with nuts and seeds. Do not combine with other product groups.
* Apples
* Apricots
* Berries
* Grapes
* Kiwi
* Mango
* Nectarines
* Papaya
* Peaches
* Pears
* Plums
* Strawberries
Sweet fruits
Do not combine with sour fruits or other food groups. Combine with slightly acidic fruits, nuts and seeds.
* Bananas
* Coconut
* Dried Fruits
· Prunes
* Raisins
Melons
Eat them separately, not in combination with other food groups.
* Musk melon
* Honey melon
* Watermelon
Non-starchy vegetables
Combine with proteins, fats, carbohydrates and starchy vegetables.
· Asparagus
* Artichokes
* Green beans
* Beetroot
* Broccoli
* Cabbage
* Cauliflower
* Cucumber
* Eggplant
* Garlic
* Lettuce
* Celery
* Carrots
* Onion
* Parsley
* Pepper
* Turnips
* Mushrooms
* Zucchini
Starchy vegetables
Combine with non-starchy vegetables and fats. Do not combine with protein or fruit.
* Pumpkin
* Winter
* Grains
* Cereals
* Sweet potatoes
* Peas
Carbohydrates and starches
Combine with non-starchy vegetables and fats. Do not combine with protein or fruit.
* Bread
* Pasta
* Grains
* Flakes
Protein of animal origin
Combine with vegetable protein and non-starchy vegetables. Do not combine more than one protein source in a meal. Do not mix with starch or fruit.
* Meat
* Poultry
* Fish
* Eggs
* Dairy products
Vegetable protein
Combine with non-starchy vegetables. Do not mix with starch or fruit.
* Beans
* Nuts
* Seeds
* Peanuts
* Soybeans
* Soy products
· Tofu
Fats
Combine with non-starchy vegetables, carbohydrates, starch and protein. Do not combine with fruit.
* Avocado
* Olives
* Coconut oil
* Sour cream
* Olive oil
* Flax
* Sesame seeds
* Canola oils
Red wine, white wine and cider
Drink these drinks with protein-based (acidic) foods.
Whiskey and gin
They are considered neutral drinks, so they can be consumed with any meal.
Beer and ale
Drink while eating a carbohydrate (alkaline) meal.
What you can't eat
Although a dissociated diet is more related to a combination of foods, there are foods that are excluded.
Refined carbohydrates
* White bread products
* Refined grain groats
* Refined grain crackers
* Pasta made from refined grains
* White flour
Added sugar
* Candy
* Desserts with a high sugar content
* Cookies
* Sweetened beverages
Processed meat and other food products
* Sausage
* Bacon
* Meat delicacies
* Canned soups
* Dishes in boxes
* Frozen meals
How to prepare for a dissociated diet and tips
It is recommended to wait at least four hours before eating an "incompatible" meal. For example, if you eat fruit salad with sour and slightly acidic fruits, you should wait at least four hours before eating chicken and steamed non-starchy vegetables. The rest of the time is entirely up to you.
But because of this recommended waiting period, many people who follow a dissociated diet limit their meals throughout the day to one food group. For example, you can choose only fruits one day, protein and non-starchy vegetables the next day, and starchy vegetables and carbohydrates the next day.
Perhaps the best thing you can do to alleviate a dissociated diet is to make a meal plan. To succeed on this diet, you need to know what to eat and when. Planning meals and cooking for a whole week can help you stick to the rules of the diet with less effort or psychological stress.
If you are interested in a dissociated diet, but you think it sounds too confusing and restrictive, you can try a milder introduction to combining foods. For example, a dissociated diet prohibits combining carbohydrates and starches with fruits. But a bowl of oatmeal with sliced bananas and berries is a hearty and healthy meal, and there's nothing wrong with combining these foods into a delicious breakfast.
In fact, you can divide products into less restrictive categories, for example, "starches, fruits and cereals" and "proteins, dairy products and vegetables". Having just two groups to think about can make a dissociated diet less strict and easier to follow. Technically, there is nothing forbidden, but the diet encourages you to avoid over-processed foods and foods high in sugar.
Advantages of a dissociated diet
* The focus is on nutrient-rich foods: Perhaps the best thing about the dissociated diet is that it teaches people to choose whole foods that are rich in nutrients.
* Can help you eat less: A concept called "sensory-dependent satiety" states that food becomes less appetizing if all food consists of the same taste profiles and textures. Thus, dividing foods into separate dietary groups can make you feel satisfied with smaller portions, which will help you eat less and help you lose weight.
* Provides nutrients for optimal health: There is not much room for processed foods in the food groups developed by Dr. Hay, because processed foods often contain multiple properties and profiles of macronutrients that are suitable for more than one food group.
In addition, some food groups, including all groups of fruits and vegetables, have a fairly low calorie content. This means you can eat more food with fewer calories. For example, a 100-calorie melon looks a lot bigger than a 100-calorie cashew.
Cons of a dissociated diet
* Confusing: Mastering a dissociated diet can take some time - it's quite difficult to learn and remember which foods can and cannot be eaten with other foods. This confusion may cause some dieters to completely abandon the diet.
* May be overly restrictive: According to limited studies of food combinations, there is no reason to eat food as dictated by a dissociated diet. This eating plan does not allow you to listen to your inner hunger signals or practice conscious or intuitive eating.
* May lead to eating disorders: For some people, three food groups and limited combinations may seem overly restrictive. Food restriction can cause feelings of guilt and shame over food and, ultimately, can lead to eating disorders. If you follow a dissociated diet and feel restricted, it may be better to try a different healthy eating plan.
Is a dissociated diet a healthy choice?
If you're looking for a new diet to try, you'll probably want to know how all your sensible diets compare to each other.
To achieve your weight loss or weight gain and fitness goals, you need to know how many calories you need to eat every day. To do this, use the calorie calculator
Most people need about 2,000 calories a day, but keep in mind that everyone is different and there is no "right" amount of calories you should consume. Women and children may need fewer calories, while men and people who lead a very active lifestyle may need more calories. Many factors, including age, height, weight, and activity level, affect your calorie needs.
Combining foods does not seem to be more effective than a general healthy diet.
Result
Choosing a diet is a personal decision that includes many considerations, including your dietary needs and preferences, your current attitude to food, your health goals, and more. Before you try any diet, be sure to take these factors into account and ask yourself questions such as: "Do I have enough time in my schedule to stick to this diet?"
What the experts say
The dissociated diet suggests that alkaline and acidic foods cannot be digested together, but experts agree that there is no scientific justification for this. Eating only one food group at a time and limiting protein/fat increases the risk of nutrient deficiency and is unsustainable.
What can I eat?
The basic rule of a dissociated diet is to eat only one food group at a time. You can follow this rule in different ways:
* Eat only one food group at a time
* Eat only one food group per day
* Eat only one food group during the day (divide your day into parts, while you stick to certain food groups)
The dissociated diet consists of three food groups: proteins, starches and neutral foods. You can combine proteins with neutral foods and starches with neutral foods, but you should avoid combining proteins and starches.
Acidic fruits
Combine with slightly acidic fruits, nuts and seeds. Do not combine sour fruits with sweet fruits or other foods other than tomatoes.
* Grapefruit
· Oranges
* Lemons
* Limes
* Pineapples
* Grenades
* Tomatoes
Slightly acidic fruits
Combine with sour or sweet fruits, but not with both at the same time. You can also combine slightly acidic fruits with nuts and seeds. Do not combine with other product groups.
* Apples
* Apricots
* Berries
* Grapes
* Kiwi
* Mango
* Nectarines
* Papaya
* Peaches
* Pears
* Plums
* Strawberries
Sweet fruits
Do not combine with sour fruits or other food groups. Combine with slightly acidic fruits, nuts and seeds.
* Bananas
* Coconut
* Dried Fruits
· Prunes
* Raisins
Melons
Eat them separately, not in combination with other food groups.
* Musk melon
* Honey melon
* Watermelon
Non-starchy vegetables
Combine with proteins, fats, carbohydrates and starchy vegetables.
· Asparagus
* Artichokes
* Green beans
* Beetroot
* Broccoli
* Cabbage
* Cauliflower
* Cucumber
* Eggplant
* Garlic
* Lettuce
* Celery
* Carrots
* Onion
* Parsley
* Pepper
* Turnips
* Mushrooms
* Zucchini
Starchy vegetables
Combine with non-starchy vegetables and fats. Do not combine with protein or fruit.
* Pumpkin
* Winter
* Grains
* Cereals
* Sweet potatoes
* Peas
Carbohydrates and starches
Combine with non-starchy vegetables and fats. Do not combine with protein or fruit.
* Bread
* Pasta
* Grains
* Flakes
Protein of animal origin
Combine with vegetable protein and non-starchy vegetables. Do not combine more than one protein source in a meal. Do not mix with starch or fruit.
* Meat
* Poultry
* Fish
* Eggs
* Dairy products
Vegetable protein
Combine with non-starchy vegetables. Do not mix with starch or fruit.
* Beans
* Nuts
* Seeds
* Peanuts
* Soybeans
* Soy products
· Tofu
Fats
Combine with non-starchy vegetables, carbohydrates, starch and protein. Do not combine with fruit.
* Avocado
* Olives
* Coconut oil
* Sour cream
* Olive oil
* Flax
* Sesame seeds
* Canola oils
Red wine, white wine and cider
Drink these drinks with protein-based (acidic) foods.
Whiskey and gin
They are considered neutral drinks, so they can be consumed with any meal.
Beer and ale
Drink while eating a carbohydrate (alkaline) meal.
What you can't eat
Although a dissociated diet is more related to a combination of foods, there are foods that are excluded.
Refined carbohydrates
* White bread products
* Refined grain groats
* Refined grain crackers
* Pasta made from refined grains
* White flour
Added sugar
* Candy
* Desserts with a high sugar content
* Cookies
* Sweetened beverages
Processed meat and other food products
* Sausage
* Bacon
* Meat delicacies
* Canned soups
* Dishes in boxes
* Frozen meals
How to prepare for a dissociated diet and tips
It is recommended to wait at least four hours before eating an "incompatible" meal. For example, if you eat fruit salad with sour and slightly acidic fruits, you should wait at least four hours before eating chicken and steamed non-starchy vegetables. The rest of the time is entirely up to you.
But because of this recommended waiting period, many people who follow a dissociated diet limit their meals throughout the day to one food group. For example, you can choose only fruits one day, protein and non-starchy vegetables the next day, and starchy vegetables and carbohydrates the next day.
Perhaps the best thing you can do to alleviate a dissociated diet is to make a meal plan. To succeed on this diet, you need to know what to eat and when. Planning meals and cooking for a whole week can help you stick to the rules of the diet with less effort or psychological stress.
If you are interested in a dissociated diet, but you think it sounds too confusing and restrictive, you can try a milder introduction to combining foods. For example, a dissociated diet prohibits combining carbohydrates and starches with fruits. But a bowl of oatmeal with sliced bananas and berries is a hearty and healthy meal, and there's nothing wrong with combining these foods into a delicious breakfast.
In fact, you can divide products into less restrictive categories, for example, "starches, fruits and cereals" and "proteins, dairy products and vegetables". Having just two groups to think about can make a dissociated diet less strict and easier to follow. Technically, there is nothing forbidden, but the diet encourages you to avoid over-processed foods and foods high in sugar.
Advantages of a dissociated diet
* The focus is on nutrient-rich foods: Perhaps the best thing about the dissociated diet is that it teaches people to choose whole foods that are rich in nutrients.
* Can help you eat less: A concept called "sensory-dependent satiety" states that food becomes less appetizing if all food consists of the same taste profiles and textures. Thus, dividing foods into separate dietary groups can make you feel satisfied with smaller portions, which will help you eat less and help you lose weight.
* Provides nutrients for optimal health: There is not much room for processed foods in the food groups developed by Dr. Hay, because processed foods often contain multiple properties and profiles of macronutrients that are suitable for more than one food group.
In addition, some food groups, including all groups of fruits and vegetables, have a fairly low calorie content. This means you can eat more food with fewer calories. For example, a 100-calorie melon looks a lot bigger than a 100-calorie cashew.
Cons of a dissociated diet
* Confusing: Mastering a dissociated diet can take some time - it's quite difficult to learn and remember which foods can and cannot be eaten with other foods. This confusion may cause some dieters to completely abandon the diet.
* May be overly restrictive: According to limited studies of food combinations, there is no reason to eat food as dictated by a dissociated diet. This eating plan does not allow you to listen to your inner hunger signals or practice conscious or intuitive eating.
* May lead to eating disorders: For some people, three food groups and limited combinations may seem overly restrictive. Food restriction can cause feelings of guilt and shame over food and, ultimately, can lead to eating disorders. If you follow a dissociated diet and feel restricted, it may be better to try a different healthy eating plan.
Is a dissociated diet a healthy choice?
If you're looking for a new diet to try, you'll probably want to know how all your sensible diets compare to each other.
To achieve your weight loss or weight gain and fitness goals, you need to know how many calories you need to eat every day. To do this, use the calorie calculator
Most people need about 2,000 calories a day, but keep in mind that everyone is different and there is no "right" amount of calories you should consume. Women and children may need fewer calories, while men and people who lead a very active lifestyle may need more calories. Many factors, including age, height, weight, and activity level, affect your calorie needs.
Combining foods does not seem to be more effective than a general healthy diet.
Result
Choosing a diet is a personal decision that includes many considerations, including your dietary needs and preferences, your current attitude to food, your health goals, and more. Before you try any diet, be sure to take these factors into account and ask yourself questions such as: "Do I have enough time in my schedule to stick to this diet?"