G A S .

[bertha katzenengel]

Oh. My. God. What, is all the undigested meat in my colon rising up in protest?

Where the hell is all this gas coming from? It's not like I'm eating nothing but beans. Does TVP give you gas? Does tofu? I am VERY uncomfortable.

I know about the conventional remedies - Beano, Gas-X, etc. - but, does it ever get any better?

[smbolisnch]

1. Ah yes, the veggie gas.

Bertha, it will last for a while, but once your body adjusts to the extra fruit,veggies and grains you are eating, that problem will subside.

I know it is uncomfortable. When I first went veggie, I was miserable, in that sense.

It will get better, I promise. ;)

[bertha katzenengel]

2. thanks, smbol

:pals:

[livetohike]

3. It will get better Bertha

and yes, soy products cause gas, too since they are all made from the soy bean. Just try to ease into your decision to go vegetarian. By that I mean, only take small portions of beans at first until your digestive system gets used to the new diet. Like anything else, too much of a good thing can create problems at first :-).

Beano, only works for me if I use it on the very first bite.

Another tip, if you are cooking beans from scratch, be sure to soak them over night. The soaking is supposed to help a little with the gas problem.My mother-in-law always adds about a 1/2 t. of baking soda to her beans when she is cooking them. That seems to help too. I use my crock pot when cooking beans, that way they are done when I get home from work.

[yewberry]

4. Hey, lady.

It does get better.

Also, if it might help, here are some ideas & explanations:

http://www.vegsource.com/talk/beginner/messages/145886.html


Good luck!

[Ilsa]

8. Thanks for the source. Interesting paragraph:

The surprising benefits of flatulence: Bifidobacteria, a "friendly" and naturally-occurring bacteria in the human gut, is believed by many scientists to play a very important role in the health of the colon, which effects or general well-being. Breast-fed babies have high levels of bifidobacteria in their intestines, which may be one reason that they are more resistant to infection than bottle-fed babies. Some Japanese scientists believe that people with high levels of bifidobacteria in their colons live longer. High numbers of bifidobacteria may be linked to reduced carcinogens in human feces. Bifidobacteria use raffinose and stachyose, those two sugars that cause flatulence in humans, as a source of nutrition, so they can give bifidobacteria a good chance of surviving over harmful bacteria.

Already added to Favorites in my Veg file.

[flamingyouth]

5. It does get better.

I just had a little dairy at my parents' house and have a really upset tummy from that - I haven't had any dairy for a while.

[AlienGirl]

6. Some ideas...

Have you tried taking a probiotic supplement and eating dried papayas?

Tucker

[CrispyQ]

7. When I first went veg,

I had gas that would peel paint off walls. Not only uncomfortable, but unbearable smell! It lasted about 6-9 months! BUT, I didn't know about veggie enzymes. I use them whenever I feel bloated or if I eat a meal that is rich. These may help -- check it out.


http://www.mothernature.com/shop/detail.cfm/sku/44005


This will pass as your colon cleans itself & your body adjusts to a more healthy diet. Hang in there!

[Ilsa]

9. Good luck, BK.

I'm having some also, but from other food sources besides beans.

Over a year ago, I needed to start taking an anti-depressant. It gave me tremendous intestinal problems at first, but after a month, it really settled down. I'm hoping my diet change will settle down as well.

I'm sorry you are so uncomfortable. Maybe a good walk will help it release. I remember a yoga exercise that is supposed to stimulate the colon:
1. Legs shoulder length apart.
2. Slight squat
3. Place hands on palms down on mid thigh, elbows out, thumbs high.
4. Pull your lower abdominal muscles in and hold briefly, and then out, tightening and relaxing. It's supposed to help a little.

[smurfygirl]

10. hahahahaha

I don't mean to laugh...but I don't think any of us will ever forget when we first cleansed our systems only to find we couldn't keep from tooting as we walked....

This all does go away. My advice is to eat alot more fruit, I've found it helps me. Watermelon, and any melon really help me. You will be gassy for a while until your digestive system figures out what you are doing. But, I still get gas after a couple of meals. I don't think that ever goes away completely.:hurts: