Can’t keep food down

Q: Dear Donovan,

Lately I keep bringing up the foods I eat. I’m on a diet plan and I exercise four out of seven days each week for an hour at each session. My diet consists of fruits for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, and fruits for dinner. I have one serving of orange/cherry juice daily and water for the rest of the time. I do not feel sick, I just can’t seem to keep food down. I am also not pregnant. I weigh 202 pounds, down from 220 in August.

A: I am so sorry to hear about your vomiting situation. I am not one hundred per cent sure, but I am thinking that this occurred after you started your weight loss programme. Having constant vomiting after your meals is definitely not good.

You did not say clearly whether the vomiting happens after all your meals or just after some meals. However, that aside, the vomiting must stop for a number of reasons. The acidic content of the food vomited can damage the oesophagus, teeth and even produce mouth sores. In addition, this vomiting can lead to dehydration. Also, it can lead to the loss of vital nutrients, calories, vitamins and minerals. Over time this could lead to deficiency disorders.

Without even knowing, this constant vomiting can lead to weight loss. This is usually due to the fact that the body is not allowed to digest and absorb the food that is ingested.

At this stage it is difficult to say what exactly is causing your vomiting problem. However, there are some possible reasons that come to mind. For example, there might be certain foods or ingredients in the foods that the digestive system is not accepting, for example, wheat in your bread. You may even have a wheat allergy, which can induce vomiting. In addition, going for long periods without eating between meals can also cause vomiting. Also, it could be a reaction to certain smells. If the digestive system is acidic, this could cause vomiting.

In a nutshell, the fact that you are vomiting after meals says that something about these foods in your diet is not working well for you. It may not necessarily be that something is wrong with the foods, but it may be a personal reaction to these foods.

Going forward, knowing what foods to avoid is very important. Sometimes by trial and error you will find this out. Therefore, initially I would suggest that you change your diet for a day or two and see if anything happens. For example, you could have yoghurt for breakfast instead of fruits. You could also have a light soup for lunch and a small salad for dinner. Once you notice what happens, you could then check what specifically in your diet is causing this problem. Is it the fruits or is it the sandwich? In addition, you could also replace the orange/cherry juice with some green juice for the trial period. However, if the vomiting continues you must see your doctor immediately. Good luck.

We will answer your weight-related questions

Are you struggling to lose weight or just need some advice on living a healthier life? Tell us about your health issues and we’ll have nutritionist and wellness coach Donovan Grant answer them for you. Grant has over 12 years’ experience in the fitness industry and is the owner of DG’s Nutrition and Wellness Centre, Suite 16, 39 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston 5. Send your questions to clarkep@ jamaicaobserver.com.