Best food combinations for health are not just about taste, but also about how the nutrients in different foods work together to enhance their benefits for your body. Some foods have synergistic effects, meaning that they can help each other to be better absorbed, utilized, or activated by your cells.
Other foods have complementary effects, meaning that they can provide different types of nutrients that your body needs for optimal functioning. By knowing the best food combinations for health, you can improve your nutrition and well-being with every bite.
In this article, we will sharre some of the best food combinations for health that you can easily incorporate into your diet. We will also explain why these food combinations are beneficial and how they can help you prevent or manage various health conditions.
Whether you are looking for a delicious snack, a satisfying meal, or a refreshing drink, you will find some great ideas here that will make your food more nutritious and enjoyable.
For health reasons, do not eat foods that just taste in the mouth only. It’s good the consumption of foods rich in nutrients and vitamins that have the obvious benefit of the body. Well, to gain the maximum benefit, You can devour two certain foods simultaneously. What are the foods? Here are the Best food combinations for health.
The Best food combinations for health
Black Pepper and Turmeric: A Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Duo
The first Best Food Combinations for Health is black pepper and turmeric. Turmeric, a revered spice in Ayurvedic medicine, harbors potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties due to its key compound, curcumin. Renowned for alleviating inflammation, pain, and swelling associated with arthritis, diabetes, and even cancer.
Moreover, curcumin shields the brain against oxidative stress and neurodegeneration.
The challenge lies in curcumin’s poor absorption, which can be remedied by pairing it with black pepper. Piperine, found in black pepper, exponentially enhances curcumin’s bioavailability by up to 2000%.
Piperine’s prowess extends beyond; it aids the absorption of other vital nutrients like selenium, beta-carotene, and vitamin B6. Hence, incorporating a dash of black pepper into turmeric-infused recipes elevates their efficacy, augmenting their health benefits significantly.
Some of the best ways to enjoy this food combination are:
- Sprinkle some turmeric and black pepper on your scrambled eggs, omelets, or tofu.
- Add some turmeric and black pepper to your soups, stews, curries, or rice dishes.
- Make a golden milk by heating some almond milk, turmeric, black pepper, honey, and cinnamon in a saucepan.
- Brew a turmeric tea by steeping some turmeric, black pepper, ginger, and lemon in hot water.
Spinach and Strawberries: A Delicious Source of Iron and Vitamin C
The next Best Food Combinations for Health is spinach and strawberries. Spinach is a leafy green vegetable that is rich in iron, a mineral that is essential for the production of red blood cells and hemoglobin.
Hemoglobin is the protein that carries oxygen from your lungs to your tissues, and iron is the key component of its structure. Iron deficiency can cause anemia, a condition that is characterized by fatigue, weakness, pale skin, and shortness of breath.
Strawberries are a juicy and sweet fruit that is high in vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin that is involved in many biological processes, such as collagen synthesis, wound healing, immune function, and antioxidant defense.
Vitamin C can also enhance the absorption of iron, especially the non-heme iron that is found in plant sources, such as spinach. Vitamin C can form a complex with non-heme iron that makes it more soluble and available for your body to use.
Therefore, combining spinach and strawberries can help you prevent or treat iron deficiency anemia, as well as boost your overall health and immunity. Some of the best ways to enjoy this food combination are:
- Make a spinach and strawberry salad by tossing some baby spinach leaves, sliced strawberries, feta cheese, and toasted almonds with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
- Blend some spinach and strawberries with some yogurt, milk, and honey to make a smoothie.
- Saute some spinach and strawberries with some garlic, olive oil, and salt to make a savory side dish.
- Bake some spinach and strawberry muffins by adding some chopped spinach and strawberries to your favorite muffin batter.
Banana and Nut Butter: A Filling Snack with Healthy Carbs and Protein
The next Best Food Combinations for Health is banana and nut butter. Banana is a tropical fruit that is a good source of healthy carbohydrates, dietary fiber, potassium, and vitamin B6.
Carbohydrates are the main fuel for your brain and muscles, and they can help you maintain your energy levels and mood throughout the day. Fiber can help you regulate your digestion, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
Potassium can help you balance your electrolytes, blood pressure, and nerve function. Vitamin B6 can help you synthesize neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, that are involved in mood regulation, sleep, and appetite.
Nut butter, such as peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter, is a creamy and tasty spread that is rich in protein, healthy fats, and various minerals, such as magnesium, zinc, and copper. Protein can help you build and repair your muscles, skin, hair, and nails, as well as support your immune system and hormone production.
Healthy fats can help you lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and cognitive decline. Magnesium can help you relax your muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. Zinc can help you heal your wounds, fight infections, and enhance your sense of taste and smell. Copper can help you produce red blood cells, collagen, and melanin.
Therefore, combining banana and nut butter can help you satisfy your hunger, nourish your body, and improve your well-being. Some of the best ways to enjoy this food combination are:
- Spread some nut butter on a banana and enjoy it as a snack.
- Slice some banana and nut butter and sandwich them between two whole wheat bread slices to make a sandwich.
- Mash some banana and nut butter and mix them with some oats, nuts, and dried fruits to make some energy bars.
- Freeze some banana and nut butter and blend them with some cocoa powder and vanilla extract to make some ice cream.
Hummus and Baby Carrots: A Crunchy and Creamy Dip with Fiber and Vitamin A
The next Best Food Combinations for Health is hummus and baby carrots. Hummus is a popular dip that is made from cooked chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. Chickpeas are a type of legume that are high in protein, fiber, iron, and folate. Tahini is a paste that is made from sesame seeds, which are high in healthy fats, calcium, and vitamin E.
Lemon juice is a source of vitamin C, which can boost your immunity and iron absorption. Garlic is a herb that has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Olive oil is a monounsaturated fat that can lower your cholesterol and inflammation levels.
Baby carrots are a small and crunchy vegetable that are high in vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for your vision, skin, and immune system. Vitamin A can help you prevent night blindness, dry eyes, and infections. It can also help you maintain your epithelial tissues, such as your skin, mucous membranes, and cornea.
Therefore, combining hummus and baby carrots can help you increase your fiber and vitamin A intake, as well as provide you with a variety of other nutrients and health benefits. Some of the best ways to enjoy this food combination are:
- Dip some baby carrots into some hummus and enjoy them as a snack or appetizer.
- Grate some baby carrots and mix them with some hummus and spices to make a sandwich spread.
- Roast some baby carrots and drizzle some hummus and parsley over them to make a side dish.
- Puree some baby carrots and hummus and heat them with some vegetable broth and cumin to make a soup.
Avocado and Tomato: A Colorful and Creamy Salad with Healthy Fats and Lycopene
The next Best Food Combinations for Health is avocado and tomato. Avocado is a fruit that is known for its creamy texture and buttery flavor. It is also a great source of healthy fats, especially oleic acid, which is a type of monounsaturated fat that can lower your cholesterol and inflammation levels, as well as protect your cells from oxidative damage.
Avocado also contains fiber, potassium, vitamin K, and folate, which can support your digestion, blood pressure, bone health, and DNA synthesis.
Tomato is a vegetable that is known for its bright red color and juicy flesh. It is also a great source of lycopene, a type of carotenoid that can lower your risk of prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, and skin damage.
Lycopene is a fat-soluble compound, which means that it is better absorbed when consumed with some fat, such as the one found in avocado. Tomato also contains vitamin C, vitamin A, and biotin, which can support your immunity, vision, and hair health.
Therefore, combining avocado and tomato can help you increase your healthy fat and lycopene intake, as well as provide you with a variety of other nutrients and health benefits. Some of the best ways to enjoy this food combination are:
- Chop some avocado and tomato and toss them with some lemon juice, salt, and cilantro to make a salsa.
- Slice some avocado and tomato and layer them on a toast with some cheese and basil to make a sandwich.
- Mash some avocado and tomato and mix them with some onion, garlic, and chili to make a guacamole.
- Blend some avocado and tomato with some yogurt, cucumber, and mint to make a smoothie.
Green tea and lemon.
The next Best Food Combinations for Health is green tea and lemon. Green tea is well known because it has many benefits for health. Green tea contains catechins, superoxidants, not just antioxidants. Well, the catechin would work well if added with some lemon juice to drink.
Vitamin C and other elements in the juice help stabilize the catechin to avoid degradation. In addition to relieving thirst, drinking green tea along with lemon would also help replenish energy.
Vegetables and olive oil.
The next Best Food Combinations for Health is vegetable and olive oil. Pour salad or stir-fry your vegetables with a little olive oil. This helps the absorption of nutrients, seven micronutrients found in vegetables, including beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamins A, E, and K. According to a study presented by a scientist at Iowa State University.
According to Wendy White, a researcher and Professor of food science and human nutrition, increase the amount of olive oil may increase the absorption of nutrients. But should not be excessive, just two tablespoons a day. For this experiment, Wendy experimented using soybean oil are often used in commercial salad dressings.
Salads and egg.
The next Best Food Combinations for Health is salad and egg. Besides getting protein intake, pair the egg intact with a salad consisting of nuts, seeds and avocados helps absorb four to seven times more vitamin e. Vitamin E Functions as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
Cereal and milk.
The next Best Food Combinations for Health is cereal and milk. The body sometimes don’t get enough vitamin D. Hence, you can raise the levels of vitamin D by eating fish, such as tuna and salmon.
In addition to the fish, vitamin D is also present in the cheese and egg yolks. But another way that is simpler to obtain vitamin D intake is by consuming milk and cereals at the same time, i.e. at the time for breakfast.
The meat and vegetables.
The next Best Food Combinations for Health is meat and vegetables. Iron is needed to produce red blood cells that carry oxygen through your body. In addition the iron could overcome the lethargy and immune enhancing. However, most women do not get enough iron intake, but this is very important during pregnancy.
Iron contained in meat and fish. In order that iron can be absorbed better be served simultaneously with foods rich in vitamin C, such as tomato soup, salad, sauteed peppers, or vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.
The best food combinations for health are those that can boost your nutrition and well-being with every bite. Some of these combinations involve foods that keep you full longer, such as eggs and oatmeal, Greek yogurt and fruit, or avocado and chicken.
To discover more of these foods and how to use them to improve your health and fitness, you can read our article on the foods that keep you full longer.
FAQs About Best Food Combinations for Health
What are some other examples of best food combinations for health?
Some other examples of best food combinations for health are:
– Oatmeal and orange juice: Oatmeal is a whole grain that is high in fiber, beta-glucan, and magnesium, which can lower your cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure levels. Orange juice is a citrus fruit that is high in vitamin C, hesperidin, and potassium, which can boost your immunity, blood vessel health, and electrolyte balance. Vitamin C can also increase the absorption of iron from oatmeal, which can prevent or treat anemia.
– Salmon and broccoli: Salmon is a fatty fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and vitamin D, which can reduce your inflammation, support your muscle and bone health, and improve your mood. Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable that is high in vitamin C, vitamin K, and sulforaphane, which can enhance your immunity, blood clotting, and detoxification. Vitamin C can also increase the absorption of vitamin D from salmon, which can prevent or treat osteoporosis.
– Yogurt and blueberries: Yogurt is a fermented dairy product that is high in protein, calcium, and probiotics, which can support your digestion, bone health, and immune system. Blueberries are a berry that is high in anthocyanins, fiber, and vitamin C, which can protect your brain, heart, and skin from oxidative stress and aging. Anthocyanins can also increase the growth and activity of probiotics in yogurt, which can improve your gut health and metabolism.
How can I find out the best food combinations for health for my specific needs?
The best food combinations for health may vary depending on your individual needs, preferences, and goals. For example, if you are pregnant, you may need more iron, folate, and calcium than usual, so you may want to combine foods that are rich in these nutrients, such as spinach, beans, and cheese.
If you are vegan, you may need more protein, vitamin B12, and zinc than usual, so you may want to combine foods that are high in these nutrients, such as tofu, nuts, and seeds.
If you are allergic or intolerant to certain foods, you may want to avoid or substitute them with other foods that have similar or complementary effects, such as using almond milk instead of cow’s milk, or using quinoa instead of wheat.
To find out the best food combinations for health for your specific needs, you can consult a nutritionist, a dietitian, or a doctor, who can assess your health status, dietary requirements, and personal preferences, and give you personalized advice and recommendations.
You can also do some research online, by using reliable sources, such as scientific journals, health websites, or reputable blogs, that provide evidence-based information and tips on the best food combinations for health.
You can also experiment with different food combinations and see how they affect your health and well-being, by keeping a food diary, tracking your symptoms, and measuring your outcomes.
Bottom Line
Best food combinations for health are not only delicious and satisfying, but also beneficial and effective for your body and mind. By combining different foods that have synergistic or complementary effects, you can enhance their nutritional value, bioavailability, and functionality, and improve your health and well-being in various ways.
Whether you want to prevent or treat certain health conditions, or simply optimize your overall health and wellness, you can find some great ideas and examples of best food combinations for health in this article, or create your own based on your needs and preferences. Remember, you are what you eat, so make sure you eat well and combine well.
Thank you very much for reading the Best food combinations for health, hopefully useful.