My first obstacle….

Gas! 

Although I have eaten (what I thought was healthy) for several years, my body was not used to all that fiber.  The first 2 weeks were hard on everyone around me.  Thankfully I have passed that problem.

In my frantic research, this is what I found: 

·         Enzyme Supplements (does stop gas if taken before you eat or drink)

·         Maybe I should have gradually increased my fruits and vegetables.

·         Pepto Bismol (does not stop gas but it eliminates the odor...at least that is what I have been told)

Enzymes are the catalysts for digestion.  If we do not have enzymes, it would take forever to digest our meals.  The enzymes induce chemical changes that break down the food we eat into a form that our bodies will absorb.  If we do not absorb enough of our food, we crave more and gain weight.

Nope, they are not paying me!

The acid in our stomach activates the enzymes that break down the food.  I enlisted the help of Beano (yes…enzyme supplements!), Beano is not vegan, it is made with animal products, but I am not doing this for religious or ethical reasons.  This seemed like a necessary compromise.  The Beano did not help me….but, Gas X Prevention did.  I would recommend Gas X Prevention to everyone who ever had a problem with gas.

If you are vegan for religious or ethical reasons, my top tip would be to gradually work fruits and vegetables and legumes into your diet instead of jumping right into the change and additions.

As we get older our bodies produce less enzymes.  Food enzymes are important to help us digest food.  That is why adopting a plan for eating raw and unprocessed foods is important.  Canned, processed and heated (over 118 degrees) destroys food enzymes.  

By eating foods with more enzymes our body will crave less food (looking for more enzymes) and keep from gaining weight.  We have several types of enzymes, lipase is an enzyme that digests fats.  This is why a raw diet with mostly uncooked, unprocessed whole foods is so important.  

This brings me to my next adventure!  Soaking and dehydrating food.  Soaking nuts, seeds and legumes activates the enzymes and makes them easier to digest.  Sprouting adds greatly to the nutritious value of the bean, seed or nut.  I am still working on sprouting almonds...I will be posting a victory picture when I am successful! ~Cathy