Good -in a whileHowever happy I am to be back in China my stomach isn't and I am getting a flash back of those uncomfortable stomach feelings I used to get after lunch during my first few months in China. The other day I had a really spicy, but oily meal, and the next day the stomach felt like a blown up balloon, and I felt really heavy. Darn, I thought all of this was over by now? Sure, in the beginning or when u first come here it takes some time before your belly gets used to the new bacteria culture, the chillies, the oil (yuk) and the MSG (double yuk), but since when do u have to go through that phase again and again?!
Yesterday I had Korean bibimpab for dinner and no heavy feeling appeared afterwards... it's got to be the oil. I guess I just have to suffer for a while before the belly learns how to handle large amounts of grease again.
Good stuff -always
My prediction is that I will be feeling your pain in a week or two. Thought that would be my start-off weight loss plan... get sick, lose 5-10 pounds and then just work hard to keep it off! Haha, too bad it doesn't really work like that.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya! Chinese dishes are way too oily. I commented on your blog before about oily Chinese dishes. I am an expat Chinese. After many years in the U.S. and actually trying out different food other than Chinese, I can never go back to Chinese dishes again. Whenever I crave for Chinese food now, I would go with Thai and Korean food instead. We Chinese want to believe our food is the best cusine in the world, as a Chinese saying goes (eat in China). The fact is that Chinese people are among the world's highest percentage of stomach and liver cancer patients, both of which are food induced. Another problem with Chinese dishes is that it's generally too salty, which contributes to high blood pressure. Again, Chinese folks are inproportionally more likely to suffer from high blood pressure.
ReplyDeleteOhh yes. I was there a few weeks ago for the second time in a 40 day period. The best way to expedite the process and build up the stomach bacteria (and, believe me, I've tried them all) is this medicine called "MeiYa." It's a Japanese probiotic that's solid in this one expat-esque pharmacy I go to. The pharmacist that recommended is actually American, but it worked like a charm. Its 42RMB for a box of 20 tabs at "Parkway Community Pharmacy"-- They'll deliver to just about anywhere.
ReplyDeleteAdditional life savers:
- Berberine for Diarrhea
- Meiya (you take it 5 consecutive days, and you're set)
- Domperidone (Motilium) for vomiting, nausea, bloating
You said:
ReplyDelete"However happy I am to be back in China my stomach isn't and I am getting a flash back of those uncomfortable stomach feelings I used to get after lunch during my first few months in China. The other day I had a really spicy, but oily meal, and the next day the stomach felt like a blown up balloon, and I felt really heavy."
You have said several times elsewhere in your blog that greasy/oily foods make you feel bloated. That's not surprising, because the stomach can't break down fats as quickly as it does carbohydrates. If you're going to eat really fatty foods, you may have to eat more slowly, and eat less.
Gotta keep the tummy happy.
Best wishes!