I get muffin top from eating this “healthy” leafy green

Have you ever wondered why on some days you have a muffin top, some days you don’t? Or some days, you’re bloated, some days you feel lean?

This has been a mystery for me. “Is it the hormones? Is it because I’m having my period?”

Weeks passed and still my period didn’t come.

In this article, I’ll share with you a big AHA! moment when I figured out what’s causing my bloat and gas and cloudy urine at “random” days.

You’re not fat, you’re just inflamed

If you follow me in IG, Facebook or YouTube, you know I’m recently fascinated with the different perspective offered by Bulletproof Coffee creator, Dave Asprey.

I identify with him ’cause I’m a computer science graduate. We approach problems from a lazy person’s perspective. And during those times, I didn’t know the term “hack” yet. Applying this mentality to your own biology makes a lot of sense to me.

On top of that, I’ve tried diets one after another. I’d lose the weight but don’t feel good like I’m not operating at my best. Recently, I’ve come across the low-carb, clean ketogenic diet which was great. But there’s still some piece in the puzzle I can’t find yet.

Then, I came across Dave Asprey and the idea of inflammation. His book “The Bulletproof Diet” arrived yesterday because I want every detail about foods causing us inflammation.

The obvious ones are sugar, processed foods and low-quality oils. I have eliminated those from my diet. Replaced them with grass-fed beef, pastured eggs, high-quality fats, and cruciferous vegetables.

Yet I still get occasional muffin tops and chronic burping. I used to think of it as my talent to burp whenever I wanted. Because my gut always gets gassy every time I ate!

You’ve been eating clean but still you look fat? Listen carefully if this sounds like you.

Survival mechanism of plants

Core principle we need to understand is every species has a defense mechanism for other species to stop eating them.

Animals (and of course humans) can move so they run and protect themselves and their youngsters from other animals and humans.

Plants however can’t move. And their only way to make you stop from eating them is to develop toxins. These toxins are meant to attack you, hurt you once ingested. It’s war using chemicals, chemical warfare!

This makes sense why plants could be poisonous and if left in the wild, you better know which berries are safe or not. Our ancestors look for the sweet taste, which means these are safe to eat.

I used to love spinach

Spinach, yes. I used to have green smoothies with raw kale and spinach. It turns out these guys have oxalates.

Oxalates bind to calcium in your blood and form oxalic acid crystals which could be deposited anywhere in your body. Asprey recommends to cook these vegetables first before consuming or avoid them altogether if sensitive.

There are 4 categories of anti-nutrients causing inflammation. One of them is oxalates. If this article hits at least 10 likes, I’d create another article discussing the 4 categories in depth.

Effects of oxalates on me

• Endless burping (I’d burp even when I’m about to sleep)
• I noticed my urine becomes cloudy. Cloudy urine is an indicator of infection. My theory is oxalic acid crystals made their way to my kidneys.
• Gassy and bloated (feels like there’s a lump in my throat)
• Muffin Top!!!

I first took the boiling of spinach route but it didn’t make any difference. I figured I’m sensitive to oxalates.

So moving forward, I could have a little spinach here and there. But if I know I’m facing or doing some big tasks, it might be a good idea to save myself from bloating and burping by avoiding spinach.

I’m not meant to be Popeye after all!

What’s in it for you?

Stop eating plants altogether?

If you’re in a carnivore diet, yes you can’t eat plants. Inflammation is actually the reason why some people choose carnivore diet.

But if you’re like me who wants to maximize the benefits of the vitamins and minerals and nutrients from plants, read on.

Bloated your whole life? You might be suffering from chronic inflammation like majority of the population.

Key is to know which kinds of foods causes your inflammation. Start tracking your food (not the calories!), and jot down how you feel right after eating.

#1 Foods making you feel weak?

If you still feel hungry, and craving for something sweet, and you became gassy and bloated for hours, you might want to avoid that food.

#2 Foods making you feel good?

Else, if you feel great, full and satisfied and can forget food for the next 4–6 hours, your body is efficient in converting it to energy so keep on eating those kinds of foods.

Dave Asprey listed down these suspect foods and feel free to download it here.

Inflammation is pointed out study after study as the root cause of nearly all degenerative diseases. Acute inflammation (like being sore from the gym, or cheeks swollen from tooth extraction surgery) is your body’s response to protect you.

However, chronic inflammation (which is constantly subjecting your body to inflammatory foods) is the pathway to diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular and Alzheimer’s disease.

You could start knowing yourself better by recording which ones fuel you the best. Avoid eating your “kryptonite” foods. Eat more of foods that will make you feel better and stronger.

And you’ll notice your muffin top goes away.

Thanks for reading!