If broccoli is so good for me, why does it make me sick after weight loss surgery?

People looking for healthy weight management know to stick to the veggie tray at parties and buffets. After all, vegetables are a good healthy food packed with beneficial vitamins, nutrients, and fiber. But some vegetables, particularly cruciferous ones like broccoli and cauliflower, can cause serious gastric upset when eaten raw by gastric weight loss surgery patients. In fact, there are many examples of patients undergoing weight loss surgery who have experienced such severe gastric upset after eating raw broccoli or cauliflower that it was necessary to go to the emergency room.

The reason that weight loss surgery patients of all procedures (gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, adjustable gastric band, or gastric band) are prone to discomfort after eating raw cruciferous vegetables is a matter of balance. Vegetables are rich in enzymes that are believed to aid digestion. However, due to the shortening of the gastric tract and loss of stomach acid, vegetables cannot be fully digested on their short journey through the intestinal tract. The problem is compounded by the presence of cellulose, the dietary fiber in vegetables that requires gut bacteria for processing. Even without gastric weight loss surgery, many humans lack enough gut bacteria to break down cellulose enough to prevent symptoms of gas, bloating, and cramps.

After weight loss surgery, many patients focus intensely on becoming healthy and managing their weight through proper diet and nutrition, and increased daily activity. These are admirable activities that often lead to the conundrum of eating healthy and healthy vegetables at the risk of severe gastric distress. Frustrated and wonderful patients, If it’s so good for me, why does it make me feel so bad? Good question. There are some steps that can be taken to reduce the discomfort that follows eating raw vegetables so that we can have our nutrients and enjoy them too. Have a look:

• Experiment with caution. If you don’t know how you will respond to raw vegetables, be easy at first and avoid the discomfort or embarrassment that can come from eating too much of a good thing. Also, remember that everyday foods will sit differently. Always practice moderation while feeling how food is being prepared that day.
• Lightly steam or parboil vegetables to begin breaking down the cellular structure, which helps intestinal acid take up digestion more quickly. Remember, if you cannot digest the vegetable, you will not be able to absorb the vitamins and nutrients in the vegetable. To serve cold steamed or parboiled veggies, simply prep ahead, drain water, and pat dry. Place, cover and cool. Then serve cold with a lightly seasoned vegetable sauce made from yogurt that contains healthy bacteria that will aid in digestion. Avoid dairy-based sauces, such as those made with sour cream, as this can increase the chance of an upset stomach.
• Take a digestive enzyme as directed before or shortly after eating raw vegetables. There are many digestive enzyme supplements available at a reasonable cost. Many weight loss surgery patients report that the enzyme in papaya is effective in reducing digestive discomfort. According to a papaya enzyme manufacturer, the dietary supplement contains “papain, a proteolytic enzyme and a popular ingredient in dietary supplements used for digestion. Taken after meals, it is a perfect natural supplement that can aid in digestion and can help reduce the effects of poor digestion, including heartburn and gas. ” As with all dietary supplements, please note that the FDA does not evaluate these claims or supplements approved for stated use. Consumers should consult with a healthcare professional before using any dietary supplement.
• Chew, chew, chew. Remember that digestion begins in the mouth and it is essential to thoroughly chew all raw vegetables to give your gastric system the best conditions to digest food and benefit from the vitamins and nutrients they contain.