hi there! I have been evaluating my diet and have cut out all dairy and gluten due to digestion problems they cause for me such as upset stomach, bloating and gas. Then i went briefly to a vegetarian diet and felt great. No more tummy trouble. Now I'm adding back in lean animal protein and the same problems are arising again. I take essential enzymes with ever meal. Any sugestions to help with my protein digestion issues?

Hello Becky,
Go ahead and post your daily intake to include all supplements and also are you allergic or on medication?

Becky, your body is re-learning to assimilate amino acids derived from animal tissues (meats). Those aminos that are few and far between in a vegetarian diet are not nearly the same composition or amount found in, say for example, 4 oz of Chicken breasts. More importantly, these "new" amino chains(peptides) are much closer to your own amino acid profile than any profile found on a vegetarian diet.

Just give it some time and those gassy pains should go away. Although it should not take very long at all. You may want to include some probiotic type supplement for the next 2-3 weeks. What else are you eating? Kamaaina is right. Go ahead and post your current diet.

Two years ago I went vegetarian for 4 months. I had to add the animal proteins in back slowly. I learned this by experience. I made the mistake of having too many too fast, and felt miserable. Bloating and bad stomach pains. I had to ease off and add them in slowly. Took about a month to get to eating them regularly with no problems.

Becky,
If you have a gluten allergy a good book is Wheat Free Worry Free. I have struggled with this the last six months. I was so sick I didn't know if I could compete this year. But I have researched and I am competing. I too thought it was dairy etc. I would be happy to answer any questions-I know how difficult it is. What Kelly said about protein is true. I was a vegetarian for 10 years. You have to add it back in slowly to allow your body time to adjust.

Be careful in engaging in diet...I encounter that before I have an upset stomach...and then I stop it...and continue my normal way of eating and not taking any pills...So if you want to diet just search more about its proper way to avoid trouble...

quote:

Originally posted by jen0608:
Be careful in engaging in diet...I encounter that before I have an upset stomach...and then I stop it...and continue my normal way of eating and not taking any pills...So if you want to diet just search more about its proper way to avoid trouble...

WHOA WHOA WHOA, WAIT!!! What does that mean exactly. "Diet" is NOT a dirty word. It is the description of daily caloric intake... THATS ALL. There is no eating "normal" there is only eating for purpose, goals, and sustanance. I am not sure what you are getting at exactly or what school of thought you are perscribing. But people on these boards are eating for "SPORTS SPECIFIC NEEDS". That is the manipulation of macronutrients to better suit performance and outcome.

Everyone has their own opinion and you take and leave as you will, but I have a BIG problem with using the term "diet" as an other-wordly term.

quote:

WHOA WHOA WHOA, WAIT!!! What does that mean exactly. "Diet"

I looked at it a few times and didn't quite understand what is being meant or promoted.

thank u everyone for all the replies. I will definitely look at the book suggested. I have only been eating 2-3 ounces of protein at a time and I'm also taking 3 enzyme capsules instead of 2.
Kelly- I commend you for making it 4 months as a vegetarian. I found it difficult and I worried I wasn't getting proper protein. Although I love veggies more than anything else so that part was not a problem at all.