Bloated and gassy after eating vegan

[PlinkPlankPlunk]

I was staying with some friends at the weekend who are vegan, so ate totally vegan for three days. I’m vegetarian anyway so don’t miss meat, and the food was lovely and very varied, but OMG I am so bloated and windy it is is unbelievable.

My diet is normally pretty high fibre and obviously I eat loads of vegetables so I don’t think it’s just the fibre, but maybe the protein substitutes, which I am not used to.

What can I do to make it better? I’ve been guzzling water all day and peppermint tea; I can’t lie on my left side (which I think is recommended) as I have a dodgy hip. It’s not helped by the fact that I’ve been sat at my desk all day, although I did a short run at lunchtime to see if it would help; it actually hurt my stomach.

Any ideas please? I’ve been back home for 24 hours but it is not getting any better. My stomach looks like I’m carrying twins and is continually rumbling very loudly!

What did you have that you don't usually eat?

Do you have any indigestion remedies? If not, have you any bicarb? 1/2 teaspoon in glass and water.

Or are you constipated if you've not been eating veg, but have been eating processed stuff?

What sorts of protein substitutes did you eat? I'm vegetarian and get similar wind/bloated feeling when I eat a lot of TVP (soya mince and chunks) but I have no problem with other soya products like tofu and soya milk.

Quite a few dishes with plant protein/meat substitutes, so tofu, saitan (I think it’s called) and so on. I’m used to beans and lentils and things like that, and eat them with no problem; actually I was quite pleased to try some new things as I tend to get my protein more from eggs, nuts and dairy

Yes I also had soya “strips” as we had fajitas.

I suppose technically it is more processed actually; maybe I just need to eat a lot of prunes and oranges to move everything along. I was thinking more that it might be a different sort of fibre that digests differently.

I’ll try the bicarb though as I do have that. I’m not acidly so I don’t think gaviscon will do anything?

If you're not acidy acid the bicarb will probably be of no use.

I prescribe* prunes then!

• well, not really as am not a Dr.

I thought I ate high fiber before going plant based.I didn't...needed up having bloating and gas for couple of weeks till my body adjusted to stuff like beans,pulses...essentially high fiber

@Aggy35 I was planning on going a bit more plant-based and maybe cutting back on cheese etc but I don’t think I could take two weeks of this! I’ll have to introduce things very slowly I think (although I’m ok with the pulses etc)

Prunes it is then @TheSpottedZebra Deep joy!

would you have had any quorn or mycoprotein? That messes with some people in a big way.

I used to eat it and it wasn't too bad, but I developed an intolerance and now get sick, although it's more vomiting and diarrhea than bloating.

I realised I should have asked more about what exactly I was eating, in terms of plant protein - I didn’t realise there were so many types and effects!

Still bloated this morning, so I’m fasting till this afternoon and downing fennel tea and also peppermint. I attended an early morning online meeting lying on the floor in a cobra pose which has done nothing for my 50 year old back but did make things feel better for the duration. I can’t keep it up all day though

I always use Kolanticon Gel for any type of stomach upset/issue. Can be hard to find but Rowlands Pharmacy and independent chemists usually have it.

It was likely the seitan, it’s basically pure gluten so even if you’re not intolerant it can be an overload if you’re not used to it.

Oh definitely.I went cold turkey for veganuary. I would advise any changes to be made gradually.The gut bacteria needs time to grown and adjust :)

@CeeCeeDeeBee

It was likely the seitan, it’s basically pure gluten so even if you’re not intolerant it can be an overload if you’re not used to it.

Or could be the soya - I can tolerate soy in soy sauce, lecithins and soya flour etc, but tofu and edamame beans make me bloated and attached to the toilet

I find Quorn very indigestible. I don’t eat any now.

Seitan used to be AWFUL for me. Made me feel nauseous and bloated and horrible. It will go in the end but big sympathy- it’s yuk

Fake ham and things do for me. Probiotics/ yoghurt might help?

Your body is telling you something.....vegan food is generally bad for you

I suggest a good pro biotic, lots of water and to eat only foods that you know are gentle on your stomach

Try a proper natural yoghurt like Fage full fat and a glass of v cold prune juice (don't think the cold makes a difference just easier to drink).
I sympathise, I get this reaction to brown bread.
It would be less annoying if it was food you think of as unhealthy!

Op I’d recommend some turmeric tea, it’s great for inflammation.

@hamstersarse

Your body is telling you something.....vegan food is generally bad for you

So no one should eat apples?

Sounds like it’s caused by the seitan and soya strips - they’re highly processed. You could try some yoga poses www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/how-to-fart#yoga-poses

Thanks for the advice everyone!

It is a bit better this morning - in that everything is working its way through any my stomach has gone down quite a lot. The issue re seitan/gluten issues resonates, because although I’m not coeliac, I somehow tolerate bread much less than I used to.

I guess I’ll have to try some of these different proteins separately to see if there are any that work for me, that are worth having regularly (I have no idea how to cook them all actually but that is for another day!); I’m only making baby steps anyway, not going full vegan

Soy “chicken” strips nearly immobilised me with gassy pains last time I had them. Tofu etc is fine for me but those strips were nearly the end!

Glad you’re feeling better today.