Why you should stop mixing milk and bananas right now

Whether it is about leaving for work or simply looking for a pre-workout meal, for ages in most households grabbing a banana and a glass of milk has been that ultimate, no-fuss morning routine.

But is it actually healthy and perfect? While both of these staples are incredibly healthy on their own, pairing them together first thing in the morning might not be doing your body any favors. In fact, combining them can actually throw a wrench in your metabolism. If you regularly start your day with this duo, here are six reasons why you might want to rethink the habit.Heavy load on the gutMilk and bananas are both dense, heavy foods. Bananas are packed with complex carbohydrates, while milk is loaded with proteins and fats.

When they hit your stomach at the same time, your digestive system has to work overtime to break them down. For anyone with a slightly sensitive stomach, this heavy traffic jam in the gut often leads to bloating, gas, and a general feeling of discomfort before the day even begins.Brakes on metabolismStarting your morning with a massive hit of fruit sugars from the banana and saturated fats from the milk can actually cause your metabolism to drag.

Your body has to expend a lot of energy just to process this complex mix. What's more, while the high-glycemic nature of bananas gives you an instant sugar rush, the heavy milk fats cause that energy to come crashing down shortly after, leaving you feeling sluggish by mid-morning.

The body misses out on key nutrientsJust because you eat healthy foods doesn't mean your body absorbs everything they have to offer. When milk and bananas are mixed, their nutrients actually fight for survival.

Specifically, the high amount of calcium in milk blocks your body from properly absorbing the iron found in the banana. By pairing them, you are essentially canceling out some of the best health benefits of both foods. Stuffiness and mucusMany people already notice that dairy makes them feel a bit congested or phlegmy, especially in the morning. Combining milk with bananas can amplify this effect, causing a buildup of mucus or a heavy, congested feeling in your chest and throat.

If you are already sensitive to dairy, this combination is a recipe for a very stuffy start to your day.Spike in blood sugarBananas are full of natural sugars like glucose and fructose, which your body absorbs rapidly. When you wash that down with milk—which contains its own natural sugar, lactose—you get a double dose of sweetness. This causes a rapid spike in your blood sugar levels. For anyone dealing with insulin resistance or trying to manage type 2 diabetes, these morning spikes can lead to wild energy swings all day long.Trigger for acid refluxEven though bananas aren't highly acidic on their own, mixing them with dairy can cause trouble in your stomach. The unique combination can actually cause the milk to curdle inside your digestive tract, leading to indigestion. If you are already prone to heartburn or acid reflux, this morning combo is highly likely to trigger that familiar, uncomfortable burn and an upset stomach.