Adjusting to Vegan Diet

Hi Sassy,

It seems to me that my digestive system started revolting once I started regularly eating more fruits and veggies, etc., and almost completely cut out meat. This was very discouraging for me because it seemed like the healthier I was eating, the more issues (code for gas!)I had.

Have you or does anyone you know gone through this? Would it be easier to eat cooked veggies than raw? Thanks!

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Sassy Sez - Hi there! Sorry to hear about your...ahem...challenges. ;O)

Switching to a diet with more plant-based foods means you are taking in more fiber, which can be a little difficult on your system at first. Also, the addition of foods like beans can make it seem like there is a MAJOR party going on in your intestines.

So I recommend you take things more slowly.

It sounds as if you are attempting a raw food diet, perhaps? Personally, I am not raw and it's not what I teach on my site. But I have done raw in the past, and it can be hard to digest some of the bulkier veggies, such as dark leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.

So perhaps you need to lightly cook your veggies for a while until your body can deal with things a little easier. And if/when you do raw veggies, eat them in smaller amounts until all is well.

As far as beans are concerned, if you are not used to eating them your body needs the chance to build up the necessary enzymes to digest them. Start with very small legumes such as lentils, then when you can handle these move to small beans such as black beans, and then onto larger beans such as kidney.

Digestive enzymes should also help move you in the right direction. Take 1-2 before meals to help digest your food. I love the enzymes from Simplexity Health and have been using them since 1994. Click the link to order them online.

Hope this helps. xo