We spend a lot of time thinking and talking about what we put in our bodies—the nutrients, calories, protein, fat—but when it comes to talking about what comes out of our bodies, we get shy and embarrassed.

Everyone poops. Yep, we all sit on the porcelain throne.

You already know this, so let me get right to the point.

Waste equals weight.

Here is a little-known natural weight loss secret that nobody talks about and that’s the fact that the extra waste sitting around in the colon is one of the main causes of excess weight. Learn to rid your body of extra waste and weight loss become effortless.

Sounds, pretty good, right?

So how do you ensure that your digestive system works like a charm?

The first way is with regular cleansing and detoxifying. Give your digestive system a rest so you can rid your body of old toxic waste. You can do a formal two-week cleanse, or simply give yourself a day of eating only fruits and veggies on a weekly basis.

Eat foods that your body recognizes as real food and ditch the processed crap. This includes things like fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, beans, legumes, and organic lean cuts of meat, wild fish and non-gluten grains.

When your body can utilize the food you eat there is actually less waste it has to figure out what to do with.

The second, most untapped way to keep your digestive system humming along is to learn the art of proper food combining! At first glance it may seem complicated, but take a closer look. It really is easier than you think.

The Basics of Food Combining.

Food combining can be a complex topic. The onset can make us a bit crazy because we’ve been taught to think that a balanced meal contains a protein and a starch, with a side of veggies.

What’s less known are the complexities of the digestive system and the fact that different food groups require different amounts of time to be broken down and absorbed by the body. What’s even more interesting is that the faster a food is digested, the less waste it leaves behind. The less waste left behind, the easier the digestion process.

The easier the digestive process, the more you’ll poop!

Mission accomplished!

When you learn to eliminate on a consistent and regular basis (daily if not twice daily) the other results you can expect–aside from effortless weight loss, is less cellulite, reduced inflammation and fewer headaches. Say goodbye to acid reflux, gas, bloating, and constipation

5 Basic Food Combining Tips.

1. Vegetables combine well with anything (think nuts, seeds, beans, non-gluten grains, animal protein).

2. Choose one of the above to go with your veggies (veggies with nuts or veggies with animal protein or veggies with beans).

3. Choose one category of protein (nuts/seeds, legumes/beans or animal protein) per meal.

4. Choose either a protein or a starch/grain per meal but not both.

5. Always eat fresh fruit alone on an empty stomach with a few minor exceptions (fruit does combine well with dark leafy greens, like in green smoothies).

As you can see, veggies combine well with most foods well.

The key is to avoid mixing an animal protein and a starch/grain in the same meal.

There are many complexities and grey areas when it comes to food combining. The point is not to obsess, but to become aware of this simple yet profound principle.

And don’t take my word for it. Be your own experiment.

If after a meal you feel energized, gas-free, less bloated, poop easily, lose or maintain weight, you most likely found a good food combo.

Relephant Reads: 

5 Secrets the Weight Loss Industry Doesn’t Want us to Know 

The Perfect Poop

15 Foods that Naturally Detox & Cleanse Your Body

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Author: Julie Peláez

Editor: Ashleigh Hitchcock

Photo: flickr