Hello - I hope someone has experience with solving an issue I have had for YEARS.
I began eating a plant-based diet last summer after a naturopathic doctor suggested it and a long-time friend had been raving about it for the many months she was eating plant-based. I have always loved cooking, so transitioning to plant-based has been a fun learning experience in the kitchen, particularly with eliminating oils. I've had a great time watching videos and learning from Dr. McDougall and others about this way of eating I will enjoy the rest of my life.
The reason I was seeing that doctor is because for years - more than a decade now - when I eat carbs or starches my body, especially my belly, "blow up." Within minutes of eating starches and higher carb foods (even no oil, no added salt, McDougall recipes from this site), my belly looks like I'm 7 months pregnant. My family jokingly calls it my "food baby." But it's no laughing matter.
Long before I learned about plant-based eating, I followed a low carb / keto diet. Not only did I lose weight, the bloating / blowing up of my belly went away and for the first time in many years I had a flat stomach again. It was wonderful - I felt great and looked great. Except I did not know then I was killing myself eating eggs, cheese, meat, and loads of fats. My cholesterol, which had never been a problem, shot through the roof. Plus after more than a year on that unhealthy diet, my body stopped reacting positively and the weight began to creep back on. That's when I looked for an alternative to a pill and sought the help of a naturopathic doctor. Before that I ate gluten free for several years. That helped a bit. Maybe I have an issue with gluten? But that doesn't explain why I get bloated from rice or potatoes or quinoa or oatmeal.
So here I am... I know that eating low carb helps my gut issues. I also fully believe the facts and statistics of eating starch. But my problem is when I eat starch my body has the reaction I described.
What to do?
Signed,
Food Baby Mama
PS I've also tried various probiotics, antacids, juice cleanses (10 days - had a flat belly then, too with no food, just juices, not meant to be long-term), gut re-setting diets, eating fermented foods, and on and on.
