Hi everyone. I wanted to share something that finally clicked for me after months of bloating and discomfort. For the longest time, I thought that if I just ate a massive raw salad for lunch and dinner, my gut would thank me. We’re always told ‘more greens is better,’ right? But as I’ve hit my mid-60s, I realized my stomach just wasn’t handling all that raw roughage the way it used to. I spoke with a nutritionist who pointed out a common mistake: as we get older, our digestive enzymes and stomach acid can naturally decrease. Tearing through tough, raw kale or broccoli is actually hard work for the body! I started making a few simple changes that made a world of difference. I stopped the ‘giant raw salad’ habit and started lightly steaming my greens instead. It breaks down the tough fibers before they even hit your plate. I also started adding warming spices like ginger or a little cumin to my cooked veggies, which really helps with the ‘heavy’ feeling after eating. Lastly, I try to have my biggest serving of fiber at lunch rather than right before bed, giving my body plenty of time to process it. It was such a simple shift, but my energy levels are higher and that constant bloating has finally settled down. Has anyone else noticed they feel better with cooked foods rather than raw ones? I’d love to hear if you’ve had to adjust your ‘healthy’ habits as the years go by.
This is exactly what happened to me last year! I thought I was being so healthy with my raw kale smoothies, but I was miserable. Switching to sautéed spinach and roasted carrots changed everything.
I’ve heard about this before. Is it better to steam them until they are soft or just a quick blanch?
Great post, Linda. I needed to hear this today.
If you still want that ‘raw’ benefit, try some fermented veggies like sauerkraut. They are already partially broken down by the good bacteria, so they’re much easier on the stomach than raw cabbage.
I’m skeptical. I’ve always eaten raw salads. Maybe it’s more about what’s in the dressing?
Gene, it really is a thing. I switched to making hearty vegetable soups for dinner instead of salads and my nighttime indigestion completely vanished. Our systems just get a bit more delicate as we age.
Does anyone find that certain raw veggies are okay but others aren’t? I can do cucumbers, but raw broccoli is a nightmare.
I thought I was the only one! I felt so guilty for not wanting my salad anymore. Now I feel better about my roasted veggie bowls.
Chewing more helps too. My dentist told me most people only chew a few times before swallowing. If it’s raw, you really have to pulverize it in your mouth first.
My husband calls my steamed broccoli ‘the peace offering’ because it doesn’t cause the usual gas issues in the house anymore! Highly recommend steaming.
The enzyme decrease is real. You can also look into a broad-spectrum digestive enzyme supplement if you really miss the crunch of a raw salad once in a while.
Thanks for the tip on the ginger, Linda. I’m going to try adding that to my carrots tonight.