What to Fix First When Your Nuts and Seeds Lead to Digestive Discomfort
You switched to a vegetarian diet for the health kick, the planet, or both. Nuts and seeds become your go-to protein—almonds on oatmeal, chia in pudding, cashews in sauces. Then your stomach starts talking back. Bloating that rounds your belly by noon. Gas that makes open-plan offices awkward. Somewhere between the hemp hearts and the walnut snack packs, something is off. You are not alone. A 2021 survey by the International Food Information Council found 34% of plant-based eaters report digestive issues within the first year. The culprit is rarely what you think—not a food allergy, but a collision between phytates, fiber, and your new, unprepared gut. This article walks you through the first things to check. Not a complete guide. Just the fixes that work most often, in order of likelihood, so you can eat your seeds without fear.