Smart Eating
Thursday, March 29th, 2007Some foods act in harmony, helping the body to absorb each better. Others don’t.
Bad combinations: Tea/coffee and cereal -tea and coffee decrease iron absorption from cereal by 60 per cent.
• Wholewheat flakes and dried apricots -dried apricots are a good source of iron, but wholewheat husks contain phytates, which block absorption.
Good combinations: Boiled egg and a glass of fresh orange juice - vitamin C in oranges helps absorption of iron in egg yolk.
• Dhal and brown rice - the amino acids in lentils and rice form a complete protein.
• Fresh sardines and green leafy salad -sardines are a good source of vitamin D, which is needed to help absorb calcium found in green leafy vegetables.
• Muesli with nuts, seeds and fresh fruit -vitamin C found in fresh fruit protects vitamin E found in seeds; vitamin E also protects vitamin C.
• Lamb chops (vegetarian option: nut roast) with carrots . Lamb and nuts are a good source of zinc and phosphorus, which helps zinc to act; carrots contain betacarotene, also aiding zinc absorption.




