Green veggies?

amberlink09 · Post by **amberlink09** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:28 am

Hey guys,

I'm finally feeling better today so I'm trying to put together a meal plan for the week so I can go grocery shopping. The thing is that I've always been taught how important it is to eat my healthy veggies but I'm pretty sure brussels sprouts did me in last week and I know I can't even try to touch a salad and I don't seem to do well with peas either, which leaves me with the possibility of green beans, asparagus, broccoli, and cauliflower, but I'm still afraid to even try those so I was wondering what your experiences are with veggies? For now I'm planning on most of my side dishes being winter squash, because those seem to be the safest for me.

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:35 am

Amber if you are still working on long term remmision, I would look at only well cooked veggies. For me my favorites are peas, lima beans, broccolli and carrots. All well cooked... I am slowly getting to the point of tolerating a salad every now and then, but it's taken a good couple of years to achieve this level of dietary tolerance.

Even now if I am bit sensitive I will always fall back to my list of well cooked veggies. I would avoid even well cooked green beans as the fiber does not seem to break down as easily...probably why they call them string beans.

Think of foods that when well cooked an infant would tolerate easily.

Post by **tex** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 11:40 am

Amber,

Well that's good news, that you're feeling better. Let's hope that trend continues.

When I was recovering, I was able to tolerate all of the vegetables that you have selected (except asparagus — I never tried asparagus, so I have no idea whether I could tolerate it or not). Squash, broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans were OK for me, but I only ate a serving of any of them a few times each week, to minimize the fiber risk.

I was afraid to eat peas and dried beans, because most of us who are sensitive to soy seem to have problems with all legumes. Some members seem to tolerate them OK, especially after they have done some healing. I have no idea why most of us are able to eat green beans without any problems, except that it may be because the actual beans in the pod are a minor part of the total volume of green beans, so that might minimize the soy-related risk. The key to good green beans is picking them when they are young enough that they are not stringy. Stringy green beans were already past their prime when they were harvested. In that condition, they're best used as compost material, IMO.

As Joe says, though, it's best to overcook them and not overdo the portions, in order to avoid a fiber problem. I found squash and broccoli to be the safest, but be aware that broccoli tends to cause a certain amount of gas, which can be a problem for those of us who have trouble getting rid of gas while we are still healing.

In the early stages of healing, it's usually best to emphasize the protein, and go light on the fiber (which is found in veggies, fruits, and to some extent, grains). Protein is necessary for healing, while fiber retards intestinal healing (fiber actually causes additional damage to the mucosa of the intestines, so that's why we need to minimize it while we are recovering).

Tex

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 9:59 pm

I know how you feel Amber because I use to eat tons of veggies and salads. As for veggies I could tolerate when I was at my worst, they were carrots, butternut squash, asparagus, artichokes, cooked spinach and swiss chard, and sweet potato. I have since added green beans, cauliflower, a small amount of broccoli, and small amount of brussel sprouts since healing. I can eat soft lettuce salad also, but the second list was not until I healed somewhat. I also drink a "green drink" that is equal to 7 servings of greens. It gives me piece of mind :)

Leah

Fish2575 · Post by **Fish2575** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 12:59 am

I am eating zucchini and carrots :) Only thing that sits well with me! Winter squashes are harder to digest than the summer variety. Susie

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:20 pm

We are very individual when it comes to veggies. I tolerate well-cooked asparagus and cauliflower. I experiment with broccoli on occasion and have a bowl full of Brussels sprouts, but I'm not sure about either.

Gloria

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Tue Jan 22, 2013 6:09 am

Morning Amber,

Well I am truly the weird one here when it comes to veggies. Green beans, asparagus, artichokes and spinach are definitely triggers for me and with the number of years of "healing" under my belt, I still cannot go that route. Most others I tolerate well but try to cook them very well. I can now do a salad every now and then but it sure took years to get there. Also nightshades and most beans are totally out for me.

Love, Maggie

amberlink09 · Post by **amberlink09** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 8:47 am

Thanks for the advice guys, sorry it took me a bit to get back, my week has been totally crazy. I've been sticking with winter squash this week and it seems to be working for me. I had a baked potato at lunch yesterday though because I was very hungry and it was the only available option and I'm still paying for it, so potatoes are definitely out! I think I will add in some carrots tonight, since they seem tolerable to everyone, and once I get a couple of consistently good days I'll probably try out some asparagus or green beans!

coryhub · Post by **coryhub** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 3:38 pm

Hi Amber,
I have had success with canned asparagus with which I make a pureed soup using almond milk and GF chicken broth. I can also eat canned green beans as they are soft. I really don't eat enough green but keep hearing about the benefits of green smoothies. If anyone knows of a green smoothie or green juice recipe that works for them, please share.
Cory :coffee2:

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 12:19 am

I order a powdered green drink called Catie's Organic gluten free greens. It doesn't taste great, but it makes me feel better that I'm getting them in. There are ready made ones in the grocery stores, but it is more expensive to do it that way.

Leah

coryhub · Post by **coryhub** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 11:34 am

Leah: Thanks for the product information for the green powdered drink.
That's been my problem with green drinks, they don't taste so good.
I want to make a drink in my blender/or juicer but can't figure out what to add to disguise the bitter taste of spinach or kale. Apple maybe. I looked on Amazon and there are many books out on "Green Smoothies" so next time I am at a bookstore I will flip through one for ideas.

Cory

Fish2575 · Post by **Fish2575** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 12:06 pm

I have a friend who makes them all the time. I will ask her what she puts in them and get back to you.

CathyMe. · Post by **CathyMe.** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 1:28 pm

coryhub wrote:Leah: Thanks for the product information for the green powdered drink.
That's been my problem with green drinks, they don't taste so good.
I want to make a drink in my blender/or juicer but can't figure out what to add to disguise the bitter taste of spinach or kale. Apple maybe. I looked on Amazon and there are many books out on "Green Smoothies" so next time I am at a bookstore I will flip through one for ideas.

Cory

Hi Cory,
I stuff both spinach and kale into my Vitamix, add 1/2 c. almond milk, 1 scoop of SunWarrior chocolate protein powder, Gelatin (new thing for me-helps to thicken it up) some stevia, ice and water and mix it up into a wonderful tasting smoothy. I don't taste the spinach/kale mixture at all. I would recommend adding a flavored Protein powder to it, in addition to the almond milk. YUMMY!!If you can tolerate it, fruit works great as a sweetner as well.

coryhub · Post by **coryhub** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 3:34 pm

Cathy: I never would have thought of adding chocolate protein powder. Thanks for the recipe!
Cory

amberlink09 · Post by **amberlink09** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 4:20 pm

I don't seem to be able to tolerate green smoothies too well at this point, but I usually just add spinach to some berries and a banana and I've never had a problem with it! I do love pumpkin smoothies and "carrot cake" smoothies though!