How often to eat meals to avoid bad food combinations and strain on the digestive system?

Hi all. I'm new to raw foods and have been reading Herbert Shelton 's book on nutrition. I have two questions -

How long should two meals be separated so that improper combination of foods does not occur? For example, if I eat a starch vegetable at noon for lunch, can I eat nuts at 2 PM? Would a 2 or 2.5 hour gap be enough to avoid combining these two incompatible foods?

Also, how often should one eat? From Shelton's book it seems that he recommends one large meal a day and two minor ones. However, I tend to get hungry after every 2.5 - 3 hours. My doctor once told me I digest Sugar quickly and that is one reason I need to eat frequent, small meals. If I don't do that, I tend to feel a little drowsy because of lack of sugar. Also, I am a vata type according to Ayurveda, who also require small, relatively frequent meals.

Going by Shelton's theory, it seems that I will be overstraining my digestive system if I have more than 3 meals, even if they are small. Also, I realise that this may not be what the hygienists call 'real hunger', but I don't know how to experience real hunger because the only way to do that seems to be to go on a long fast to cleanse yourself and make the body's instincts more palpable. What I feel is a sensation in the stomach that is close to feeling like there is a certain churning in my stomach, some cramps, maybe a little gas. That's when I eat.
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