Digesting Veggies

joneswife09

I have been eating a lot more vegetables lately and it seems as if its really messing with my body. I have been having horrible digestive cramps and its been on and off the the last 3 days. Anyone know why this would be happening?

danazsweet

Vegetables are cleansing, and you are having a cleansing reaction, which is good! It's starting to move the sludge in your bowels. Try adding a fiber supplement or enzyme supplement to help things move along for awhile. Once you're through this, you will feel great! Hang in there!

kellybones

I'd also suggest making sure you're chewing your vegetables very well.

Are you having cooked or raw? Raw can be more uncomfortable for me personally - unless I remember to take the time to chew throroughly.

Only1Tamara

All the previous suggestions are PERFECT and maybe add some yogurt as well. I personally find that Beano- don't laugh, is AMAZING! Take two or three tablets before munching on the veggies and you're in the clear.

joneswife09

I'd also suggest making sure you're chewing your vegetables very well.

Are you having cooked or raw? Raw can be more uncomfortable for me personally - unless I remember to take the time to chew throroughly.

I do not like cooked veggies. I had a ton cucumbers Wed and Friday and I had a ton of carrots on Sat. I know many people eat a lot more than that, but I'm not used to eating many veggies. I started noticing this after I was eating the cucumbers and then it got worse after eating the carrots. Its not an upset stomach, but literally feels like I need a "cleansing" :laugh: I did notice I hadn't gained any weight though.

saverys_gal

Some veggies really...ah..."cleanse" my system. Corn, carrots and mushrooms being the worst, not necessarily in that order. Corn I know is because our bodies don't digest the skin. The other two? I don't get it!! And it doesn't make a fig of a difference if I eat them raw or cooked. So I feel your pain! I only notice this problem though if I eat a little too much...:blushing:

leavinglasvegas

Your body needs some time to adjust to your new lifestyle. Here are some tips that I have found helpful to help you through the transition:

~Chew your food very well, and eat slowly. Especially raw veggies.

~Drink at least 64 ounces of water. It helps with the "cleansing" process.

~Don't take OTC's for symptoms. First rely on your body, that it is telling you something. Use the notes section of your diary to jot down symptoms and note what foods may have caused them. Try to eliminate that food for a week or so and then reintroduce it and see how you feel. Maybe you have an intollerance, or maybe your body just plain isn't used to it. If you treat symptoms without knowing what caused them, its not really fixing anything. If necessary, Ginger is a great digestive aid. Try a cup of ginger tea beofore heading to the drug store

~Lastly, don't give up. Sometimes getting comfortable involves a little discomfort. You'll learn quickly if you stay consistant.

July24Lioness

It is possible that one of those vegetables you are eating is causing a food intolerance also..............

For me, when I eat lots of brocolli and cauliflower I swell up terribly. Hands, face and ankles / feet...................especially when I eat them cooked. Raw happens a bit, but not as much............

I now know I can not eat more than 1/2 cup of brocolli or cauliflower at one time.

lilmissy2

It could be just your body getting used to something new.

Your fibre intake has probably increased loads so make sure your water intake has too. Fibre + water = everything moving properly. Fibre by itself = major clogging potential and associated symptoms.

It could also be an intolerance, most likely either to amines, salicylates or FODMAPS (fructose malabsorption). These types of intolerances don't do any long term damage, they just make you uncomfortable. The only real way to know would be to complete a properly structured elimination diet (I hope I never ever ever have to!) where you essentially cut out ANY potential problem foods then gradually add them back one at a time. It would be best to see a dietitian that specialises in allergies if you wanted to do that.

If I were you, I would hang in there for just a bit longer and see if things adjust on their own.

July24Lioness

It could be just your body getting used to something new.

Your fibre intake has probably increased loads so make sure your water intake has too. Fibre + water = everything moving properly. Fibre by itself = major clogging potential and associated symptoms.

It could also be an intolerance, most likely either to amines, salicylates or FODMAPS (fructose malabsorption). These types of intolerances don't do any long term damage, they just make you uncomfortable. The only real way to know would be to complete a properly structured elimination diet (I hope I never ever ever have to!) where you essentially cut out ANY potential problem foods then gradually add them back one at a time. It would be best to see a dietitian that specialises in allergies if you wanted to do that.

If I were you, I would hang in there for just a bit longer and see if things adjust on their own.

You are right. Elimination plans are not pleasant, but are a huge relief when you find out what is causing the issues.

I had to eliminate brocolli and cauliflower 100% for 9 months and then add small amounts in to see what happens after that................but at least I found out that is what was causing me to swell.

lilmissy2

You must have already had a good idea about what was causing your symptoms then. Usually, an elimination diet will involve anywhere from eliminating one of the 'usual culprits' which will probably be 20-30 foods to eliminating all of them then re-adding which basically has you eating plain meat, rice and the very few veg that are allowed for 4 weeks (or until symptoms disappear) before re-introduction begins. Not fun at all!

lilmissy2

But I agree, there are some people that find what is causing their problems and consider it well worth it. Unfortunately, there are those who feel at the end as though they have wasted all that time and effort.

July24Lioness

You must have already had a good idea about what was causing your symptoms then. Usually, an elimination diet will involve anywhere from eliminating one of the 'usual culprits' which will probably be 20-30 foods to eliminating all of them then re-adding which basically has you eating plain meat, rice and the very few veg that are allowed for 4 weeks (or until symptoms disappear) before re-introduction begins. Not fun at all!

Yes, I had an idea already from my Naturopathic Doctor. he guided me through eliminating and then adding back in. He also told me with most food intolerances or allergies that you can re-introduce in small amounts after taking the particular food out of my eating for 9 months.

I found that brocolli, I can not eat cooked at all. I can eat small amounts of brocolli raw like in a salad..............Cauliflower I can now eat raw and cooked, just not real huge quantities.