Thomas Ortiz10 said:Wait, what?
I deal with slow digestion and constant gas myself... and honestly, nobody ever told me to cut back on veggies. If anything, everyone—my doctor, my trainers—always tells me "more greens, less sugar and red meat!" Can you actually explain the logic behind that?
Well, let me start by clarifying one thing—that gas and bloating you're feeling isn't really a byproduct of slow digestion, but rather a sign of incomplete digestion.
Essentially, it means your body isn't quite breaking down what you consume effectively enough.
The most frequent culprit is usually a deficiency in stomach acid. Beyond that, it’s entirely possible that you simply lack the specific digestive enzymes required to process certain types of vegetables. You see, human biology is incredibly diverse; not everyone can thrive on the same vegetable platter. It’s really about experimentation—finding out which specific greens play nice with your unique chemistry.
Furthermore, we have to consider that vegetables are packed with fiber and carbohydrates, and when they are consumed raw, they also provide essential proteins, vitamins, and minerals. As you cook them more, those delicate nutritional components tend to diminish, leaving primarily the fiber and carbs behind. Ideally, you want to transition your body toward raw produce very gradually.
Consuming raw green vegetables—think things like kale, various salad greens, spinach, chard, or broccoli—actually helps stimulate the production of stomach acid, which in turn aids digestion.
A practical tip I've found useful is to blend your fruit and raw greens with a bit of water; it saves you from having to chew endlessly, which can be quite a chore.
If you're dealing with excessive gas, it’s a clear signal that you are
lacking sufficient acid, so when you start introducing these blended juices, you absolutely must take it slow. There's no need to rush; it takes a little while for the body to recalibrate and kickstart that acid production again.
Under ideal circumstances, if you get your protein and carbohydrates from a diverse range of raw fruits and vegetables, you won't necessarily need to rely on meat. That said, I still find it beneficial to include fish or moderate amounts of meat to ensure you're getting those vital fats, particularly Omega-3s.
And don't be afraid to supplement with healthy fats whenever necessary—high-quality olive oil or some good butter works wonders.