Digestive enzymes changing?

[Locarb4mee]

I used to eat a lot of veggies and salads. Lotsa salads!

Now that I've been doing low carb for about 2+ months, it seems when I eat a tossed salad (typically romaine or mixed greens, onions, red or yellow peppers, cucumbers and vinaigrette dressing) it just doesn't sit right. I get heartburn more readily and feel slightly bloated! Does that sound strange?

Do our bodies learn to crank out different enzymes when we are basing our food choices more around protein and fat, and then go nutso when we add back some vegetables? Raw especially?

[kindke]

id imagine yes.

[Demokat]

Sometimes it's the vinegar or the peppers that may be upsetting your stomach. Maybe try just putting plain olive oil on the salad, or eliminating the peppers. Some people realize they have allergies and food sensitivities during the process of low carbing.

[mike_d]

I read on the IBS forum that raw veggies like cabbage, cucumber, garlic or onions can cause gas and bloating. Any beans, even when well cooked, bother me later so I limit them. I lightly cook or pickle everything else. Peppers, pickled or raw don't seem to cause me a problem.

[Kisal]

I'm no doctor, but if you followed low fat diets prior to changing to lc and a higher fat intake, your gallbladder duct might be partially blocked. Some people who followed low fat for years find that they suddenly begin to have gallbladder attacks when they switch to high fat plans.

Perhaps lowering your fat intake very slightly might help relieve your symptoms. If it does, then you could try increasing fats very slowly to allow your body to adjust. Just a thought, anyway.

[Locarb4mee]

Hi all and thanks for the answers and thoughts.

Fortunately, I know this isn't my gallbladder. I'm very familiar with that pain--ouchie. I've been eating enough fat for the past month to avoid issues there.

I'm thinking, this is more like indigestion, pure and simple. I suspect now it's the red and yellow peppers, or possibly the salad dressing. We had salad again tonight and I ate it very slowly and chewed very well. No problems at all. EVOO and red wine vinegar only, not the Good Seasons dry box mix I usually make up and use.

Guess I'll have to wait and see what happens.

[cs_carver]

Do our bodies learn to crank out different enzymes when we are basing our food choices more around protein and fat, and then go nutso when we add back some vegetables? Raw especially?

bodies accommodate to what they expect, and don't waste energy making what they don't need.

People who go from vegetarian to meat and/or back see this most clearly, but I wouldn't be surprised that it happens on high veg/ low veg.

[lisabinil]

Try switching out your salad dressing to maybe a ranch or blue cheese.

[Locarb4mee]

lisabinil, it did happen another time that I was using Walden Farms Ranch dressing. I'm still suspecting stomach enzymes changing, too. How about regular Ranch? I wonder if the higher fat would help. Hm.....

[mike_d]

The dry dressing mixes I used to use is loaded with MSG and other additives, you might check the label.

[waywardsis]

Dry dressings and bottled dressings could contain stuff that you're sensitive to...someone mentioned that ppl often discover food allergies/intolerances while low carbing, and it's true. Check the label - is soy an ingredient? Do you have any trouble with dairy?

I'd be suspicious of the dry mix.

[Locarb4mee]

Good grief.

I did check the ingredients. MSG and a few other unpronounceable chemicals.

Good catch, you guys, thanks!

[Locarb4mee]

Hey Waywardsis, awesome blog!! I just visited there today. You rock!

[Koalaty]

I would say it's unlikely an enzyme issue if you're talking about salad. Why? Because raw foods contain the enzymes you need to break them down. However, if you're suddenly eating TONS of salad, it could be the fiber increase.

[Hybrid]

I don't have this issue. I ate nine cups of salad just about three hours ago, and I feel footloose and fancy free*.

My dressing is 3 TBSP olive oil, 1 TBSP lemon juice, 1/4 tsp tumeric, 1/4 tsp dry mustard, and 1 clove of garlic. Stirred, not shaken. My only topping is 5 slices of thick-sliced bacon.

I'm fine, really*.

I love salad.

http://www.lef.org/images/footer_disclaimer.gif

[Locarb4mee]

Hybrid, that sounds like a mighty tasty dressing. I believe I'll try some of that. No more packaged crap for me. Thank you!!