As I make the transition from vegetarian to raw vegan I have noticed many changes in my body–some great and some, well, stinky! In the last several weeks I have quit caffeine, adopted a vegan diet, and set the goal to cook as little of my food as possible. As a result, I’ve noticed some great changes to my waistline, but some not so great changes in my digestion! Let me tell you my “step” class at the gym was about 100% more difficult trying to clench my bum the whole time to keep the gas from escaping and killing the whole class! So I quickly got online and did some research on natural ways to relieve the discomfort and stink, and here is what I came up with:
- Chew your food well – We’ve all heard it a million times: digestion starts in the mouth. But how? Enzymes in saliva help start to break down starches and fat before we even swallow. Sending smaller pieces of food to the stomach also means that the acid in the stomach can break down the food into smaller more digestible pieces and kill gas-causing bacteria more efficiently. Less partially digested food in the colon equals less gas!
- Add specific foods/herbs to your diet – Ginger, peppermint and cinnamon are not just flavor enhancers, they also aid in digestion and can help alleviate some of the pain and discomfort associated with gas. Other natural remedies include: chamomile, dill, fennel, basil, caraway, cumin, garlic, nutmeg, oregano, parsley, spearmint, and wintergreen.
- Probiotics – Probiotics are live microorganisms, which are similar to the “good” bacteria found in the gut. They aid in digestion and reduce excessive gas. Sources of probiotics include: supplements, vegan yogurt & kefir, pickles, tempeh, sauerkraut, and miso.
In order to alleviate my gas/bloating I’ve had to use a combination of all 3 tips. I make an effort to chew well before swallowing and make sure that I add at least one or two natural digestive enhancing or probiotic ingredients to a meal when I know I’m consuming gas-causing foods. I also keep a bottle of probiotic vitamins in the fridge for when the going gets really tough! Using all these tips has definitely made a difference in my digestion and now I can relax in step class!
Do you have any other tips? Share them in the comments below!
About the author: My name is Brooke Young. I am a long time vegan transitioning to a raw vegan (or the healthiest and happiest person I can be, whichever comes first). I love to travel, eat, and learn about food and the things I put in/on my body and share this info with people who are interested. Enjoy!
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