To not eat my vegetables

[Duskydawn]

Because they come out looking almost exactly as they went in!

Some look identical (sweetcorn), some have slightly changed in colour (peas) or size (carrots) or texture (spinach) but all are very clearly recognisable. It doesn't look like they have been digested at all, so how am I gaining any nutritional benefit?

I am on a waiting list to see a gastroenterologist, so perhaps there is a medical reason for this.

You may have an inbalance in the gut bacteria.
Have you tried bacterial lysates, yogurts and so on?

Do not stop eating vegetables, even if you do not think you're getting any nutritional benefits, they will still be helping with your gut health. Also the more digestible parts may be being absorbed?

I've had my colon and rectum removed so my bowel works a little differently. I've been on an increasingly restrictive low fibre diet for a while now, to try and calm some of my symptoms, and wondered if there was much point trying to reintroduce more vegetables. My consultant was adamant that I must eat as many vegetables as I can tolerate (puréed is fine if that's all you can manage) apnd if I didn't eat any vegetables I would develop further gut issues. He sounded very ominous so I've been continuing to try and introduce new vegetables.

It sounds like the vegetables aren't causing you any problems, it's just that you don't think you're digesting them fully, so I'm not sure that cutting them out would be of any benefit, unless you don't like vegetables?

If you're worried about nutrition then you could take a multivitamin (check with your doctor first). Also you could try drinking fruit juice or smooth vegetable soups. I know fruit juice is pure sugar, but If you aren't getting any other nutrients and are eating healthily otherwise, it might be a good vitamin boost.

And yes to probiotics, they have made a miraculous difference to my health. I get mine on prescription, because they're recommended for my condition, but less specialised ones are widely available and not hugely expensive. Before my diagnosis and surgery I used to take BioKult, as I did some research and they seemed the best at the time. I don't know if they still are. I bought them online, but I've recently seen them in Boots. Yoghurt is good too (natural, full fat, not tampered with in any way).

I've got IBS and my DF has chrons so I can sympathise with the pain aspect...do see the doctor so you can try to manage that. It may well have something to do with your digestion being iffy.

RE your veg...

Sweet corn is fairly indigestable. No worries there. But if you know how big the pieces of carrot are at the point of swallowing, you're not chewing properly. Foods should be a fairly unidentifiable coarse mush at the point of swallowing.

You may well have a digestive problem, but until you're chewing your food properly, it could be hard to tell.

If you are seeing whole pieces of corn and peas and other identifiable vegetables, you can't be eating your food properly.

Digestion starts in the mouth with proper chewing.

Try it.

Just read about your sweet potato mash thing. If this is happening with all starchy foods, it could well be an enzyme issue, perhaps your pancreas isn't creating enough of one. How's your protein intake?

(I'm not a doctor...Just trying to connect some dots. You definitely should still see the doctor.)

unless you are a baby then this is definitely not right - but you know that, so you are seeking medical help.

I'm afraid it may need a tube inserted one way or the other to have a look.

hope you get a diagnosis and help.

I do reusable nappies. Grape skin, potato skin, sweetcorn and pepper skins are often recognisable. Softer foods like carrots don't tend to be identifiable. A good chew makes a big difference to start the process. Hope you get some answers.

We've found high concentration probiotics useful. Ds1s dietician recommended them, and his output calmec a bit after. I've used them after I've had digestive issues, and it's definitely assisted with gassiness.

Unfortunately I don't know exactly what kind of blood test it was Crohnically I just know it was negative. I think it may have been looking for inflammation?

I know they tested a stool sample and that it was negative, but I don't know what for. I believe it may have been looking for bacteria or parasites, but I don't know if they looked for inflammation markers as blood test was already negative for that. Have also had ultrasound and CT, but nothing unusual.

cupid, I haven't noticed the same problem with potato, pasta or rice, just sweet potato, butternut squash and carrots. But it could be a colour thing, as those starches are brightly coloured and more easy to see? I think that potato, pasta and rice are more easily digestible, so maybe my gut can only handle easily digestible foods, and gets bogged down by the more difficult ones.

Think I will try a probiotic whilst I wait for the gastro appt.