Hi Lucretia,

That’s an interesting question you asked. Yes, in nature, there are foods which have both starch and protein.

Corollary: If nature itself mixes these elements, how could it be a wrong combination?

First off, there’s a difference between a food having this combination and two different, starchy and protein foods. A single food tend to have more of one element and less of another element so the body adapts the secretion of gastric juice for the concurrent digestion of both elements. On the other hand, if a starchy food and protein food taken together, a great deal of acid is secreted to digest protein and it inhibits the digestion of starch which requires an alkaline medium.

“ To a single article of food that is a starch-protein combination the body can adjust its juices, both as to strength and timing, to the digestive requirements of the food. But when two foods are eaten with different, even opposite, digestive needs, this precise adaptation of juices to requirements becomes impossible.” — Herbert Shelton, Orthotrophy.

What counts as starch and protein?

Rice, wheat, bread, carrot, beetroot, etc. which predominantly contain carbohydrates are starchy foods.

Nuts (except peanuts, chestnuts), meat, cheese, etc. which have a high percentage of protein are protein foods.