Why can't I digest raw?

[Sparklie]

I wrote the previous thread about help for candida, but also would like to know what I can do, if anything, to be able to eat fruit and salads, for instance. I was doing the raw food diet about a year ago and began having extreme heartburn, like I've never had in my life, along with constipation, gas, bloating. I could not figure out what was the matter. I read somewhere that some people can not digest raw foods, they need to be cooked.
I have not had very much raw since. When I do have it, I get the symptoms. Is there anything I can do about this? I believe my body is very sick with candida and I want to heal.

[Katie P]

I know sometimes things can get worse before they get better.....like a detox. I would suggest juicing. Your body will be able to digest better from that & that might also take away from the bloating & gas.
As far as reading some people cant digest raw foods......I don't believe that. If raw foods are what heal the body then how could it hurt the body?

[StarFire]

one thing that I experienced when I first went raw was kind've like what you've mentioned. I couldn't understand how I could feel bloated, or constipated when I was ingesting so much fiber and roughage.

Some of the more experienced RAWbies helped me out by explaining to me that my body was going thru some changes and to help get thru that first few days (or weeks in my case) of discomfort.... it's EXTREMELY important to keep your bowels moving ... or all those toxins just build up inside you ... (not good).

Some take colonics, some enemas, others Yogi Smooth Move Tea, some use senna, or slippery elm, I found that what worked best for me was Cascara Sagrada bark which can be found in any health food store. It really helped to clear things out.

My body adjusted by itself over time ... as the toxins were allowed to pass thru my system.

Those more experienced RAWbies have really helped me alot... their knowledge has saved me more than once!!!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/sun.gif

[Dimond]

Digestive enzymes (a strong formula) and non-dairy probiotics are very helpful too.

[rawrawks]

Mono eating..one food at a time with no mixing helps too.

Raw food is made for the body and it is the body that is adjusting to the best food for it. Wait for it and it will work and be beyond your wildest imagination in results.

[Sparklie]

Thank you, for all of your encouragement. It helps to hear that you can relate. I just had my first mango in, I know a year. Boy was it delicious. I think I will start with some fruits that are not binding and slowly build up. I will continue with the enzymes, probiotics and cascada if necessary. I've been using Candex as my enzyme and really like it. I'm also drinking a tone of water. So much so, that I'm up at least a few times a night.
I guess I thought that everyone else had this easy adjustment to raw and I, for some strange reason, could not eat healthy. I wonder if it means my body is more messed up inside than I realize.
Boy, wouldn't it be great if I could do this and not get a dang cold this winter, because I am soooo healthy!

[rawkchicster]

I find that a lot of times it's the specific foods that cause bloating/digestive issues. Other than cleansing through enemas and/or colonics, maybe limit the amounts of Cruciferous veggies (cauliflower, cabbage, etc...), Beans (even sprouted can cause bad gas), and excessive nuts.

Also, chewing a loooooooong time (like we were meant to) does wonders! :o

Maybe also pick up a book on food combining. If you're really new to raw though, maybe don't bother with this yet as it might be discouraging. Less rules = easier to stick with raw!

[Sparklie]

I know bananas mess me up. I love them in smoothies, but maybe I'm not ready yet. I'm feeling very hopeful. I don't want to get discouraged if I get the same symptoms again. I know if I have some solutions in my pocket to get me over the hump and into health I will be able to make it.

I do have some books on food combining. I will look at them again, too.

[rawkchicster]

Ooooo.... if it's bananas that mess you up, how ripe are you letting them get? I've heard that they are "meant" to be eaten when they start getting spotty. I used to love 'em when the skin was still a tad green, but find them much easier to digest them when the starches turn to sugars (ripening process).

[Raw Angel Mom]

Perhaps, you can eliminate anything that isn't fresh in your cook diet such considering to do macrobiotic style, then add raw food gradually. I would start with greens.

I resonate with getting your bowel moving every day. I didn't look at my best the first year of raw either, but it did stabilize. You probably need to give time to your body to adjust. I would consider to take enzyme and probiotic.

Sadly, with cook food not only you lose the enzyme but A, D and K get destroyed.

Watching with your food combining also, would make a difference. For me, i learn i cannot mix honey with banana, i can use raw agave instead to do the recipe.

Consider wheat grass. Totally not tasteful at first and you need to start a small quantity at the time. You can buy a shot of wheat grass in a juice bar. It gave me nausea at first but apparently, it is because we need it if we have those symptoms. Watch for mold.

[Tishi]

Try to drink a gallon water a day. This will help channel everything through your body. You may need to purchase a Digestive Enzyme supplement. I suffer this same problem but I'm getting better by drinking more water than I used to.

Also a gallbladder flush will probably help....