Problem Digesting Vegetables

[disneyfan]

Has anyone found that their body is not digesting some vegetables? I have noticed the next day that zucchini, red/green peppers, and sometimes spinach have not been digested and I am wondering why these foods would cause a problem. I have been eating gluten free for about 2 months and I continue to find this happening. Is there some relation to certain vegetables that celiacs can't process or is it just part of the healing process?

Thanks!

[Felidae]

It could be that you have other intolerances such as dairy, soy and/or nightshades. Some people can't tolerate these foods while their intestines are healing. Possibly this makes these foods exit your system too quickly. Or, maybe your intestines are still healing and in time the vegetables will be digested fully.

It's kind of a "wait and see" or "trial and error" thing when you are in the early stages of being gluten-free.

[CarlaB]

It was quite a while before I consistently started digesting foods. I had to overcook veggies for a long time after going gluten-free. I bet it will clear up after you are on the diet a while longer. I know 2 months feels like a long time, but it's not really. You're still doing some healing.

Double check and be sure you're not getting any hidden gluten anywhere. This is one of my most prominent signs of glutening these days.

[RiceGuy]

I believe the undigested food is because of the intestinal damage. Certain things are more difficult to break down, so if the gut isn't up to the challenge, the food won't be fully digested.

From my experience, it can take quite a while for the gut to heal enough to handle foods like it should. I'm still nursing mine after nearly three years gluten-free. The amount of time it takes probably varies depending on the extent of the damage. I've found that it is very important to chew thoroughly. Also some veggies require more cooking to make them soft enough. I found it difficult to do these adequately, so I run all veggies through the blender until pureed. It isn't all that tasty this way, but it does the job. It's like baby food - an infant's digestive system isn't initially developed enough to handle solid food. Water is also very important here. I continuously find it tough to drink enough.

Another thing that seems to help is a magnesium supplement. I use a powdered form, because a pill is likely to remain the same shape all the way through as when I swallow it. Magnesium apparently aids in the digestion of many other things.

[wolfie]

I had a problem with veggies for a while after I went gluten-free. Once I was 6+ months in, I was able to tolerate them much better. There are still some that really bother me though like raw peppers and any kind of onion.

[SunnyDyRain]

I'm day 22 gluten free, and I still cringe when people say "well why don't you just eat a salad?". Raw veggies go though me faster than gluten!

I've been told the same thing... it will probally go away as I heal... lets hope for fast healing!

[disneyfan]

It could be that you have other intolerances such as dairy, soy and/or nightshades. Some people can't tolerate these foods while their intestines are healing. Possibly this makes these foods exit your system too quickly. Or, maybe your intestines are still healing and in time the vegetables will be digested fully.

It's kind of a "wait and see" or "trial and error" thing when you are in the early stages of being gluten-free.

What foods are considered "nightshades"?

Thanks for all the encouraging replies, I guess it will just take a little more time. At least I'm still awake after finishing dinner!

[Cruiser Bob]

What foods are considered "nightshades"?

Thanks for all the encouraging replies, I guess it will just take a little more time. At least I'm still awake after finishing dinner!

Nightshades: Tomato, potato, peppers - all, eggplant and I think there are a few others

Not Nightshades: Yam, Sweet Potato, pepper-corns

Bob