Monday, March 18, 2013

The BLOAT.

A part of being on a raw food/vegan diet...you can initially get THE BLOAT. (This is where lightening crashes, horror music ensues, and you're supposed to hold your face in horror.)

Seriously, nothing is worse than walking around with a big old melon belly after eating. Especially if you're wearing tights pants or a fitted top.  Now, I'm a newbie vegan. I've been following this diet for only 2 months now and I'm learning quite a few things:

1. I have more energy
2. My skin is improving
3. I want to EAT....A LOT. And I'm not gaining weight :)

I've become so addicted to fruits and veggies, when I hear french fries my brain does this weird, "Whaaat? You mean carrots, right?"

Now I've grown up in a house where fruits and vegetables were well known and cooked in our dinners. But as I got older, I discovered the wonders of fast food, CHOCOLATE *twitch* among other artery clogging delights. Sooo....yeah kind of forgot about apples and celery.

Kicking my butt back into this new veggie world, I feel absolutely amazing! Of course, learning what to substitute with what AND what foods to combine has been a bit of a chore.  But after continuously learning and practicing, I've nearly mastered it. *proud face*

Because if you don't combine certain foods correctly you can end up with this 8 month pregnancy bloat. And let me tell you, not a babe magnet and DEFINITELY not sexy.

I found this food combining chart that has helped immensely when preparing my meals.

Now since I'm vegan, I don't eat the eggs/dairy or meat. So I don't worry too much about that column unless substituting with tofu, soy, tempeh, miso etc.

I have noticed that over time, the bloating has gone down immensely after eating.

I do 3 things that help me out a lot!

3 techniques to KILL that bloating:

1. Yoga! Yoga videos are all over the internet, in books, and DVDs. Find a yoga video that targets bloating or gastrointestinal health and it can really benefit you. Just make sure to do it in privacy...

2. Tea.  Drinking chamomile/peppermint tea always calms my stomach and helps with bloating.

3. Probiotics. I ALWAYS drink or consume a probiotic that helps with digestion.

Good news is? After being on a raw food/vegan diet for a while, the bloating will slowly disappear. It's just your body readjusting to something new!  :)