From Strawberries and cream to why you should always eat cheese with eggs – the perfect food combos according to science

THERE aren’t many pairings as perfect as strawberries and cream.

But just when you thought the classic Wimbledon combo couldn’t get any better, we told yesterday how a study had found that mixing the delicacies is healthier than eating the fruit alone.

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We reveal some snack medleys that give you a boost from within[/caption]

That’s because the cream helps absorb the strawbs’ antioxidants for longer.

And it’s not the only match made in food heaven which is also good for you.

Here, Hayley Minn reveals some of the other snack medleys that give you a boost from within.

CHOCOLATE AND RASPBERRIES

GREAT news for everyone with a sweet tooth — it turns out munching chocolate isn’t all bad.

The flavonoids that are found in the treat have been proven to hold disease-fighting, immune-boosting properties.

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Chocolate is proven to hold disease-fighting, immune-boosting properties[/caption]

And they work much better at improving heart health when paired with similar flavonoids contained in raspberries.

OLIVE OIL AND CARROTS

HAVING full-fat salad dressing isn’t necessarily a bad thing!

Beta-carotene, the orange antioxidant pigment found in carrots, is “unlocked” and made available to our bodies when mixed with some plant oils, meaning the combo could be increasing UV protection in your skin.

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Having full-fat salad dressing isn’t necessarily a bad thing[/caption]

WHITE WINE AND FISH

A GLASS of white wine always seems perfect with fish — and it really is!

Researchers in Italy found that women who consumed as little as one glass of wine a day had higher levels of disease-fighting omega-3 fats in their blood than those who didn’t.

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A glass of white wine always seems perfect with fish and it really is[/caption]

This means the polyphenol antioxidants in the wine boost the blood’s ability to absorb omega-3 in the fish.

CHEESE AND EGGS

A GOOD old cheese and egg McMuffin from McDonald’s may be healthier than you think.

Cheese is a great source of calcium, which keeps our bones strong.

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Cheese is a great source of calcium, which keeps our bones strong[/caption]

But it needs Vitamin D — found in egg yolk — for the body to absorb it properly.

COTTAGE CHEESE AND BLUEBERRIES

If you’re looking to lose weight, nutrition experts recommend mixing a handful of blueberries with cottage cheese.

The fruit is high in fibre and the cheese is rich in slow-releasing casein protein, meaning the combo should keep you full for longer.

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Blueberries are high in fibre and cottage cheese is rich in slow-releasing casein protein[/caption]

SALSA AND QUACAMOLE

IF you love nachos or a burrito, you’re in luck.

The accompanying guacamole dip is made from avocado, which contains healthy fats that boost absorption of antioxidant lycopene.

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Salsa and guacamole contain healthy fats that boost absorption of antioxidant lycopene[/caption]

This is found in tomatoes, a key ingredient in another favourite dip — salsa.

ALMOND BUTTER AND BANANAS

YOU would be bananas not to try mixing these two sweet snacks together.

The fibre and protein in the almond butter works against the sugar in the fruit, preventing an energy crash and leaving you feeling more awake and alert.

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Almond butter is packed with fibre and protein[/caption]

AVACADO AND KALE

KALE and avocado are already known as superfoods — and that’s when they’re eaten alone.

Together, they’re even more powerful.

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Kale and avocado are even better for you when eaten together[/caption]

Scientists say the fat in avocado is capable of boosting carotenoids — which can reduce the risk of cancer and are found in kale — by at least 400 per cent.

GREEN TEA AND LEMON

We all know green tea is good for you, with brilliant disease-fighting capabilities.

But adding a bit of citrus can actually increase the absorption of these antioxidants by up to five times.

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Adding a bit of citrus to green tea has disease-fighting capabilities[/caption]

So next time you pour that cup of green tea, add some lemon or orange!

TUMERIC AND BLACK PEPPER

Turmeric is a spice that’s said to be anti-inflammatory, as well as a strong antioxidant.

But, when eaten with black pepper, the body is able to increase the absorption by up to 2000 percent.

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Tumeric is said to be anti-inflammatory, as well as a strong antioxidant[/caption]

So, just make sure you season everything from now on!

BROWN RICE AND MACKEREL

Brown rice contains phosphorus, which affects how we use energy, and keeps our insides strong and healthy.

But it needs vitamin D to help transport it from our gut into our blood, and that’s where mackerel comes in.

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Brown rice and mackerel make the perfect healthy meal[/caption]

The perfect, healthy meal!

EGGS AND ORANGE JUICE

Eating eggs and orange juice together for breakfast tastes great.

But the combo also promotes healthy nerves and blood vessels.

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Eating eggs and orange juice promotes healthy nerves and blood vessels[/caption]

The Folate in the orange juice and the vitamin B12 in the eggs need each other for absorption, storage and metabolism, and can work together to prevent heart attacks.