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Underactive StomachScoring high in this section suggests that you have an underactive stomach, meaning your stomach isn't producing enough hydrochloric acid and enzymes. These are needed to digest our meals properly. However did you get in this predicament? Well, when you were younger, you most likely had plenty of hydrochloric acid in your stomach, which helped you to digest your food. Perhaps you recall how many strange and unhealthy combinations of foods you may have eaten -- and it never seemed to bother you. (My cousin used to scarf down ketchup and jelly sandwiches. Oy!)
This is because as you age, your stomach produces less of this important hydrochloric acid. And so you're unable to digest your food as easily as you used to. The main culprit? Well, you have likely been practicing some bad food combining. Do you ever combine sugars with protein, or sugars with fats, at the same meal? That's improper food combining. Sugars are digested in the intestine and pass right on through the stomach. But proteins and fats sit in the stomach for a few hours where the acid and enzymes can get to work breaking the foods down. If you combine sugars and proteins, or sugars and fats, the sugars are blocked from passing on through. The result is putrification -- and thus the sugars begin to release all sorts of nastiness that can cause you discomfort. For the most part Vegans have it easy when it comes to food combining -- many of the "no-no's" such as combining steak with pie, or orange juice with eggs, are taken out of the equation. But we're not home safe, especially if you have an underactive stomach. Besides the obvious source of sugars -- sweets such as candy, cakes and cookies -- sugars are also found naturally occurring in fruit. If you're combining fruit with any other foods, chances are this is what's causing your stomach troubles.
No. It just means that because of your underactive stomach you'll have to be a little more picky when it comes to eating that fruit, and other sugars too. Begin by simply eating fruits, juices and other sweets an hour before you consume your meal, which will allow the sugars to pass on through. Alternatively, eat the sugars 3-4 hours after your meal. This will allow the rest of the food to be digested before the sugars try to make their way through. Another option is to include digestive enzymes in your diet. Enzymes help to digest your food, and are naturally occurring in raw plant foods. The very action of cooking your food destroys most of these enzymes, which means your body's natural enzymes must kick into overtime. Digestion takes a LOT of energy! So to help your body along, you can pop a couple enzymes about 10 minutes before each meal. You'll likely notice a difference in how your tummy feels. You may also notice a marked difference in your energy levels (as we have), since you're helping your body with its tremendous job of digesting your food. Digestive enzymes can be found in most health food grocery stores. You should also be able to find them in nutritional supplement shops. Be sure to read the labels -- most enzymes come in capsule form and are made with gelatin (an animal product). Not all enzymes are created equally, either. Some digest certain foods, and not others. Be sure to read the labels.
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But now, it seems you can't go through a day without feeling constipated, bloated and gassy, right?
So what can you do about this challenge? Should you just stop eating fruit?! 
psssst...Need further clarification about how enzymes work, or why they're needed? Looking for someone to hold your hand as you take your first step into the enzyme world? Would you like a personal recommendation about which enzymes to use? 