Avocado Grapefruit Salad is easy, healthy and delicious. This salad is an example of the theory of food combining. Food combining is supposed to improve digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Food Combining Theory
Recently, I read an article entitled “The Most Powerful Food Secret” by Donna Gates, author of The Body Ecology Diet: Rediscovering Your Health and Rebuilding Your Immunity. This book talks about how Donna Gates healed herself of candidiasis and her compromised digestive, immune and endocrine systems. She followed a revolutionary approach to eating known as food combining. The theory behind food combining is that certain foods, when eaten together, are easier to digest and break down more quickly. This allows nutrients to be absorbed more thoroughly by your body. Poor food combinations can cause gas, bloating, stomach pain, and other gastrointestinal discomforts.
There are six different rules to follow for successful food combining. I find this theory intriguing and would like to explore it further when I have a chance.
- Eat animal protein with non-starchy vegetables
- Eat grains and grain-like seeds
- Consume fruit and fruit juices alone and at least 30 minutes before any meal or combined with a protein-fat
- Combine fats and oils with any food
- Combine protein-fats with protein-fats
- Combine beans with non-starchy vegetables
Although these rules seem easy enough at first glance, I think it will take a little more time before I can come up with actual food combinations that fit these rules. Meanwhile, I made this Avocado Grapefruit Salad, which was one of the food combinations suggested in the article. This food combination follows Rule #3, eating acidic fruit in combination with fat.
This Avocado Grapefruit Salad is one that Ina Garten, author The Barefoot Contessa cookbook series, had at an elegant restaurant in Paris, one of her favorite destinations.
I’m looking forward to learning more about food combining. Meanwhile, please enjoy this simple but beautiful salad.
Avocado Grapefruit Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt or 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Salad
- 3 ripe avocados sliced
- 3 red or pink grapefruit cut into segments
Instructions
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To make Dijon mustard vinaigrette, whisk together mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk in olive oil slowly until emulsified.
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Arrange avocado slices and grapefruit segments on salad plates.
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Drizzle with Dijon mustard vinaigrette.
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Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper.
This is the perfect combination to get us on the healthy path before summer.
I agree, this simple combination is so refreshingly light. Can’t wait for summer!
Sounds interessting and it makes sense. Rule number 3 is something I have never heard before. no fruits combined with protein. Although it sounds logical, but I am sure I have not waited 30 mins before. Vinaigrette with creamy avocado and citrusy Grapefruit sounds like a perfect lunch in the summer.
I love the simplicity of this salad, Jeanette. Plus, the colors are so alluring. Lovely choice! And I’m intrigued by those rules – saving them!
One of the favorite restaurant salads I ever had included these ingredients…plus lump crab and frisee. Yum!
This salad is a perfect pick to represent Ina…Elegant yet easy! I only own 6 of her cookbooks…haven’t bought “How Easy is That” yet! But I’m sure I’ll get around to it! Lovely post!
Years ago, I had a non-cooking friend who loved to have dinner parties. She always made a salad (for her first course) with avocado and grapefruit (with greens), but it had a heavy thousand-island type dressing. I adored the combination, but never liked thousand island. This is cool and, as much as I’ve read Ina, I haven’t seen it. I, too, am on an improve my health path and am adding this to my lunch list. Thanks, Jeanette! (PS Made the Red Curry Soup again! Perfect.)
I have not seen this recipe. It is so simple and light. I think I may make it this weekend. It would make a great Lent recipe. Thanks for sharing with us.
Love the combination of the citrus with the avocado —fat and acid. That’s a perfect salad. As far as food combining goes… have you ever tried it? I did and believe me it’s not easy.
I’m a huge Ina Garten fan too. Love the look and sound of this salad. With citrus at it’s peak here in Phoenix, I’m going to add this to my list of must try recipes.
Thanks for the inspiration.
You have presented this salad so beautifully, I’ll bet the photo in the book isn’t as tempting. The colors just cheer me up and make me think of spring.
Simple and delicious. What more could a person want. This looks light and lovely.
I would never have thought to put these two together, but the colors look and sound great for the upcoming seasons!
What a perfect choice. Your photos on the salad are stunners. I’ve never tried this salad but having seen your version of it , I’d really like to make it as part of our Sunday brunch.Thank you for the inspiration. Have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Jeanette,
I was wondering what recipe of Ina’s you would choose! I knew it would be healthy. Your avocado and grapefruit salad looks delicious!
xo
annie
When I first saw this combination on Barefoot Contessa, I made it right away, because I couldn’t believe I’d never thought of it myself! Gosh, it’s delicious. And it’s a great example of how she really packs flavor into every dish.
Great post and lovely salad! I really enjoy adding avocados to my citrus salads…delicious!
I actually never would have thought to combine the two. Now – of course. I must. Tomorrow this will be on my table.
You know something, while this is simple like Ina’s style, this looks a lot like something Giada would make. Haha! This is a lovely recipe on so many counts – bright, refreshing, juicy and light. Perfect for spring and summer!
Copying those rules and will try to follow. Looks simple at first glance but to put into practice may not be that easy. Your salad photo is stunning.
What a gorgeous presentation. This is my kind of dish, healthy and pretty. Thanks for the tips of food combining. I’m saving them for future reference.
Sam
i’ve seen so many salads with grapefruit and avocado together but have yet to try it! will have to soon. this is such an interesting approach to healing candida (this is why i am on a sugar cleanse because i have this…). thanks for sharing, jeanette!
It is really nice combination of flavors and textures – you should give it a try Junia, I think you’d really like it.
love this and LOVED Meeting you this weekend in Disney!! You’re fabulous!
Alison – it was so great meeting you at FBF!! Loved chatting with you.
Such a simple, light, and lovely pairing.
This looks so pretty, Jeanette! Great flavor contrasts too!
This sounds so incredibly refreshing! I love Ina. 🙂
beautiful salad and so so pretty
Yummy! I love grapefruit and avocado but have never thought to try them together. What a salad!
I’ll be making this again soon, such a refreshing combination!
Hi I found this recipe via Pinterest and added it to my “Food” board. This is not only tasty but so great in nutrients. I thank you
Thanks Donna – this is a really refreshing and delicious combination, and best of all healthy. I was pleasantly surprised.
As I was researching Ina Garten for this week’s event, I discovered that she grew up in the town of Stamford, CT, where I lived for eight years when I first started working.
I have not seen this recipe. It is so simple and light. I think I may make it this weekend. It would make a great Lent recipe. Thanks for sharing with us.
Food combining may well have been ‘revolutionary’ when ancient Taoists discovered it quite some time ago. Avocado grapefruit salad is just splendid and properly combined.