Sensitive Digestion?

[dextera3]

I've been eating raw for almost 3 weeks now. So far, I'm very happy with the results. I do have one issue though. Very bad gas. :eek: I work in an office setting, and I work closely with other people for most of the day...so gas is not okay.

I'm paying careful attention to my food combining, and that doesn't seem to solve the problem. I am still mixing fruits with vegetables (only in my smoothies though)... should I avoid this combination?

How is it that a month ago I could combine horribly (like eating an orange and an egg-and-cheese-omlet at the same meal) and not have any problems whatsoever?

Do any of you have this problem with gas? Did it eventually go away?

Also, and yes, this is a serious question...for those eating raw, what does your bm look like? Does it always stay green? Or does it ever return to "normal" brown? :o

[luckitri]

Yes I had horrible gas. But since I had IBS to start with - I don't know how much that complicated it. I was told to do probiotics. I did. I think it helped. I do the green thing once in awhile also. I still get gas occasionally - from the SAD not the raw. Well come to think of it - cretinous vegetables like cabbage and kale can get me going.

I quit trying to do the smoothies. I went to mono eating and that I think is part of what helped it for me. Also, I drink my juices fresh only. I do not try to put them into an airtight container and drink them later - I will get gas.

So this a.m. I had 2 large glasses of lemon strawberry juice. That pretty much kept me hydrated until after work.

[klomasius]

Funny, I find the complete opposite situation when I'm on raw. I used to have not so good digestion with lots of gas. When I'm high raw or 100% I'm pretty much gas free.

I don't bother to combine food either, though I think I half do it just from my normal eating pattern.

I know that some people are sensitive digestive wise to some otherwise healthy foods. One of the culprits I've heard many people talk about is apples.

Perhaps it's one food that you now eat lots of that might be causing the gas?

Some others might be able to point to other common problem foods. Then you could check for the problem food by a process of elimination (i.e. taking a single food out of your diet for a period of time and looking for the effects).

Hope you can sort the problem out without too much difficulty!

[solarliving]

I had gas when I started doing green smoothies and haven't had a problem since. The only other time I have noticed a little is when I have combined nuts with fruit.

[solarliving]

I was just reading Dr. Douglas Grahams website and I came across this:

Will I get gas from eating raw foods?
Written by Administrator
Reports range from no gas, to mild gas, to extreme gas depending upon the individual, as he/she transitions to the raw diet. Initially, gas problems may arise from an impaired digestive tract, which holds foods in little pockets of the intestines, where they may ferment or putrefy and cause gas. Over time, this will stop, as the intestines heal. If the gas has an odor, it is generally from the putrefaction of proteins (cooked food residue); if it is odorless, then it is generally from the fermentation of sugar (overeating or high levels of fat in the blood). Long term gas problems on the raw vegan diet are generally correctable by being conscious of proper food combining, limiting fats and by not eating more in one meal than the body can quickly digest at this phase of transition.

[chilove]

Hi there,

If you are already combining well, it is probably just your body adjusting and will most likely pass soon.

You might want to avoid the tougher veggies that are more difficult to digest like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, kale, collards, etc.. and stick with tender greens like lettuces and baby spinach for awhile to see if that helps.

Also, be careful to thoroughly "chew" your smoothies! A lot of people gulp them down and when you do that you miss a very vital part of the digestive process.

All the best,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[hypnocmt]

I had the same problem. I found food combining helpful, as I started with a sensitive GI tract to begin with. i also think I was moving some stored up gunk.
I get a little naughty with eating fruit too soon after veggies sometimes, especially if my work schedule means I won't be able to eat for anoth 5-6 hours, and I can't stomach more greens. So...the gas is the price I pay.

I have found a little mint helps, as does ginger, or parsley. Mint settles my tummy really nicely and i drink it as a semi-warm tea with some stevia to sweeten. Subs nicely for dessert too. I also like it in pineapple smoothies.

I simply cannot eat large meals anymore...or anything with garlic or onions. It's like my lower GI tract has gone from being a tiny clogged rail in the Land of the Lost, to a superhighway. What I eat results in immediate fedback from the gut. lol;

[spicyfull]

In the mean time try "Beano",

[sport]

I suggest that if you have a bowel movement before you go to work it may help. Do you place your feet on something to raise them because this helps you to empty better.
I also suggest that first thing in the morning you have a glass of warm water with a little lemon juice. This starts up your digestive system so that you are ready for a movement before you leave the house.
I have posted here many times about my gas problems and I think that I had that problem long before I went raw. I now seem to have finaly gotten over it (the Lindas will be delighted to hear). I have been taking Primal Defense for the past few months. This is meant to replace the "Good Guys" in your system but I do not know to what extent it has helped in fixing the gas problem but something has worked and I think that it is down to preventing a build of waste in my intestines.

[lavendarJ]

I think that even if you are combining foods properly, there are some raw veggie in particular, that by their nature, will cause one to become gassy. For me, I have to watch things like onions, broccoli. Prunes don't make me "go" but they do cause a tooting session.

I know that peppermint (fresh, a tea or as an oil) works great.

Ginger works even better with gas/bloating/naseau

[dextera3]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions! :)