Carlos Gracie after many years of studying nutrition created a healthy eating regimen focused on food combinations. The objective was to prevent blood acidity and fermentation that could be caused by unhealthy chemical reactions of food within the body. This procedure may hamper the digestive process which is the most energy consuming stage in the body. According to Carlos, keeping the acidity or the alkalinity (pH levels) of the blood is crucial in the digestive process because pH levels of food should be kept neutral for maximum transformation of the food. He added that some food combinations of food kept the pH levels in the blood neutral while others made it acidic or alkaline. The pH imbalance in food may cause several illness like hardening of the arteries, osteoporosis and and stiff joints which may lead to arthritis.

The diet is composed of several food tables divided in the following groups:
· Group A: Animal protein, fats and oils, and vegetables.
· Group B: Cereals.
· Group C: Sweet fruits.
· Group D: Acid foods (in majority fruits).
General guide lines of the diet:
· Foods from group A combine with each other and with one of group B.
· Foods from group C combine with each other and with one of group B.
· Foods from group B do not combine with each other.
· Foods from group D can only be consumed individually.
· Banana and milk are not included in any of the groups since they have chemical combinations of their own.
Observations:
· Egg yolk (raw or cooked), coconut, coffee, brewers yeast, and many varieties of teas are compatible with any food, for they are considered neutral.
· Avoid: Sweets, canned goods, black pepper, clove, cinnamon, mustard, pickled foods, and vinegar.
· Never eat: Pork and derivatives.
· Bread: To be less fermented, it should be made out of pure or natural flour and eaten 24 hours after baked. Also, it should be eaten as toast or oven warmed.
· No alcoholic beverages.
· Not smoking.
· Drinking a glass of water when you get up and before you go to sleep.
· Important: In order to avoid a chemical conflict, it is essential that meals are at least 4 ½ hours apart. Do not eat anything between meals.

It is difficult to notice the long-term effects of proper eating habits if people are in their twenties, thirties, or forties. Many modern diets are formulated by young men and gained credibility based on theory. Helio Gracie, however, is a living proof that the Gracie diet is as effective if not better than other diets out in the market. By following strict combination of food he still manages to enjoy superb physical and mental health that enables him to teach and train people in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.