Want to know a secret that can help you achieve amazing health results quickly? It’s called trophology, more commonly known as food combining.
What is Trophology?
It’s a way of eating. You eat certain foods together while avoiding other combinations. This is due to the fact that some foods interfere with digestion and nutrient absorption if eaten together. And if you do it right, your metabolism is boosted, your body is stronger, and you have more energy throughout the day.
Sounds pretty great right?
That’s what I thought too when I first discovered it in 2015. At the time, I was about 20 pounds overweight. I could feel the difference from a few years ago. I wasn’t as nimble and I breathed more heavily. I found myself suddenly dealing with things like lower back pain and tight shoulders and neck. And when I saw old pictures of myself, I was sometimes shocked at the difference I saw.
I was a far shot from the guy who used to regularly go to the gym and compete in Crossfit competitions. I was a bit unhappy about how I’d let my fitness get away from me. Then, my mom (who is a big believer in food combining) encouraged me to give it a shot.
In researching it, I discovered the Gracie brothers (a famous jiu jitsu family from Brazil) practiced food combining so they could always perform at their peak. That, along with the fact that my mom is in incredible shape for someone nearing her 50’s, convinced me.
Worst case scenario, I’d be eating healthier for a few weeks before going back to what I did before. Best case, I might actually lose the weight, feel great, and be happier. Can you guess what happened next?
My Trophology Results Blew Me Away
In the first month, I dropped 15 pounds. I went from 185 to 170. I also had tons more energy. My face was the first thing to lose weight and “lean out". I saw muscles that used to be hidden under layers of fat; I felt better mentally too. My mind felt sharper, and I walked around in a better mood.
I almost couldn’t believe it. I had to check my journal to see how much I’d been eating, wondering if I’d somehow accidentally starved myself. The crazy thing is that I had actually been eating just about the same amount of calories — meaning that the weight loss came from the fact that my metabolism had kicked into high gear.
So I kept at it, and by the end of the second month, I had lost another 5 pounds. A total of 20 pounds in 2 months, without starving myself and without spending hours in the gym. (If you’re curious about the rules of trophology, check out this great article on it by Monica Ortiz).
After eating this way for a few months, I knew it was a better way of eating. But I’ll be honest, food combining can be a bit difficult to get used to at first.
The rules are simple. But it requires a new way of thinking about food. In trophology, you avoid combinations that don’t digest well together. And this is surprisingly a lot of the things you’re used to eating - like pizzas and hamburgers are off-limits. It’s basic science, but because we’re all so used to eating these junk type foods, it can feel really foreign at first. So then I had to sit down and think about what I could eat that I would still find tasty. I came up with the list below.
Friendly (& Delicious!) Trophology Recipes Ideas:
- Steaks with steamed carrots + broccoli (meat + veggies)
- Rice with seasoned sautéed vegetables (carbs + veggies)
- Eggs and turkey bacon with some spinach (all protein from the same family - poultry)
- A breakfast of an apple and a pear (fruits by themselves)
- A peanut butter sandwich with some banana slices (carbs + fats)
- Cereal with rice milk (all carbs)
- Al dente pasta with olive oil, veggies, and spices (carbs + veggies + fats)
I realized that there were still tons of delicious options to eat. I just had to get used to something new. And for me, it was worth it. To feel happier. To be healthier. To enjoy being in my body.
So if you’re in the same boat: wanting to lose some weight, or be healthier, or just be stronger and feel better, you might want to give trophology a shot.
It could very well revolutionize your life. Or at least make it significantly better.
This Post Has 8 Comments
Great job, something I will look into
Thanks so much for sharing. I did this years ago after reading Fit For Life and it really changed my health… but over the years I have gotten into a very unhealthy place, even though eating healthy. I am going to do this combined with my healthy detoxing products and KNOW I am going to be looking and feeling great very soon!!!
Regarding trophology, can you please tell me how long I should leave between each well-combined meal?
Hi Kevin, we apologize for the delayed response. Here is the answer:
It depends on what you ate. If it’s berries or fruit, 30 minutes. Veggies and carbs, 1.5 hours. Protein and veggies, 3+ hours. Please let us know if you have any other questions!
I did this year’s ago (recommended from a nutritionist. My husband lost 60 pounds and I lost fourty.
Over the years we gradually drifted back to bad habits but we are addressing the issue again and this is our go to diet without a doubt.
We are so glad trophology helped you and your husband. All of our team members here have eaten trophologically and it’s also our go-to for getting and staying healthy!
I obtained my Personal training certification in the early 2000’s and One of the main topics we studied was “trophology” how to properly combine food. It works! The results are almost immediate. You feel better, & look better. Also the natural body cycle for eating is a good rule of thumb. Eat only fruit until noon. Then eat more solid food. And stop eating by 8pm This also is super helpful.
Awesome!! Trophology is a great reset for the body. So glad it’s been effective and that you were able to study it as well!