Reddit mentions of Doctor's Best Betaine HCI Pepsin & Gentian Bitters, Digestive Enzymes for Protein Breakdown & Absorption, Non-GMO, Gluten Free, 120 Caps, Original Version (DRB-00163)

Hi. I responded to you briefly in your post in r/plantbaseddiet, but I wanted to put more info here since there are probably more people coming here for this sort of thing.

You need to see an allergist. It sounds to me like you’ve got oral allergy syndrome, which is basically where you’re allergic to the pollens of foods that are in the same family or otherwise structurally similar. It’s not at all uncommon, but you need to see an allergist because you need to make sure there’s no underlying cause. Also, because OAS can be a bit, erm, unpredictable in that you don’t always realize that you’re eating something that will trigger your allergies, you will probably want to have an Epi-Pen and/or emergency inhaler in the event you have a severe reaction. If your allergist deems it a good idea, keep them on or near you at all times, and remember to get replacements whenever they expire. I’ve gone years without having to use my Epi-Pen but I still have several within easy reach regardless of where I am. I also have made sure that all the people I’m around regularly know where they are and how to use them.

Get evaluated for celiac and related disorders. This would be done by a gastroenterologist, which you will likely need a referral from your PCP to see. Given your inability to keep weight on, I would wager that you have some sort of malabsorption issue — the most commonly occurring one being celiacs. Celiac.org has a symptom list that might be helpful. Another one that has more info.

Have your vitamin/mineral levels checked, in particular Vitamin D. Low levels of Vit D can indirectly cause malabsorption problems. There are a handful of other vitamins/minerals that can cause the same thing, but they are almost always related to low D levels. Fix the levels, and you’ll begin to feel better, although you’ll never be able to undo the damage that’s already been done if this is what the issue is.

Try a stomach acid supplement and/or digestive enzymes. Low stomach acid is a relatively unknown problem that can cause malabsorption issues, amongst other things. I use this one because it’s cheap and I’ve yet to find one that works as well. Edit: This one is not vegan, but as I said, I’ve yet to find something that actually works and is vegan. If anyone has a suggestion, let me know. Keep in mind that every person is different, so what works for me might not work for you. For example, I have a friend with the same disorder as me, but these give her an upset stomach and the ones that she takes (don’t recall the brand) don’t do anything for me. If you don’t want to buy anything like this, you can test if this is your issue by taking apple cider vinegar. The usual starting point is a tablespoon taken about 20 minutes after you eat. For me, I found that I needed more and taking it before I eat was often more helpful.

As someone else mentioned, try pre- and probiotics. This is a brand that’s frequently recommended in the zebra, although I’ve known a couple people who felt they’re too strong. Edit: This one is vegan. This is something else that’s been recommended with good success. Two tablespoons daily, usually in the morning, although it’s more than fine to take more. I know at least one person who drinks it rather than water and swears by it. I also give it to my dog with stomach issues, and he drinks it exclusively even though water is also available. An electrolyte replacement would be a good idea as well. LyteShow (Amazon link) is the brand I prefer, but there are several other brands available. Stay away from things like Gatorade/Powerade and other “sports drinks”. While they’re good in theory, most of them are no better than soda.

Do some reading about gastroparesis, mast cell activation syndrome, dysautonomia, and autism in adults. They’re all related, and chances are high that you’ll at least find some insight into how to manage your symptoms even if you don’t find all the answers.

You are not alone, and your symptoms are not unusual. It’s not “all in your head”, nor is it a result of “being picky”. Unfortunately, it is up to you to advocate for yourself and find a medical team that won’t brush you off. In the meantime, I would strongly caution you about changing your diet suddenly. I understand wanting to change it, to be better as quickly as possible, but you can shock your system when there’s underlying issues. Take it slow, find things that work for you, and go from there.

Excessive editing because I’ve apparently forgotten how to Reddit...

Don't loose all hope. It might just be an imbalance in your gut that can be reversed.

How healthy are you in general? Do you normally eat healthy food? Have you tried taking digestive enzymes?

I used to have horrible indigestion and gerd where I would constantly have stomach acid coming back up with undigested food. The root cause was too much bad bacteria in my stomach. The gas from all the food they were eating was causing a lot of back pressure. It sounds weird, but the answer was taking acid supplements with my food. Essentially it kills the bacteria in your stomach and helps you digest the food instead of the bacteria.

I take this whenever i eat alot of protein and i have no more issues. It might be worth looking into.

get betaine with pepsin inside. it's the best choice https://www.amazon.com/Doctors-Best-Betaine-Gentian-Digestion/dp/B000NRTXGW