Stefan Joest wrote: > Hi Ellie, you wrote: > >But it would be more efficient and require less engery to have a well balanced supply > >of glucose, fats and amino acids at all times. > That's exactly what I doubt. Mixed meals require more energy to digest IMHO. Perhaps they do, but I wonder if the overall expenditure of energy is benefited by not mixing nutrients. I would think that when food is eaten raw and contains its own digestive enzymes, that mixing different foods would not require much more energy. After assimilation on the cellular level, when the body has to convert amino acids or fatty acids into glucose, or glucose into fat, etc. all of these biochemical reations require more energy than would be needed to utilize the specific nutrient as is. Also a mix would assure all the cofactors are available, like the vitamins in fruits and veggies that might be essential for the use of amino acids in building protein, for example. Remember the finding that primates who eat meat, often wrap it in a green leaf and wad it. Perhaps some of our ancestors gathered some greens while others made a kill, and they got together for a big feast. I'm cetainly speculating and could be wrong. My best, Ellie