Last night some friends invited us to PF Changs for dinner and, for the first time, I over ate to the point that I started sliming and thought I was going to PB. I was feeling miserable and subtly spitting into my napkin at the table when my friend took out her Papaya Enzymes and popped a couple into her mouth.

Now I know I have read on LBT about some people taking Papaya Enzymes when they get food stuck so, I asked for a couple and chewed them up and swallowed. It was a little hard to swallow anything at that point, but they stayed down so I downed a couple more.

Within minutes I was feeling completely better! I wa amazed and I am going out to buy my own supply later today. I don't plan on making a habit of overeating, but, everyone messes up now and then and it's good to know there is a product that helps!

A certain brand? Where can a person get these? A health food store?

The only good papaya enzymes have ever done for me is to turn my PBs orange. :heh: I'm glad you had good luck with them. A few people I know have also had good luck with granulated tenderizer, but I've not yet tried this.

Linda,

what do Papaya Enzymes *do* that make PBing better? I've never heard of them and they sound like something very cool!

Coco

I use American Health Chewable Super Enzyme Plus tablets. Papaya enzyme is actually the main ingredient in meat tenderizer, and when I get food stuck, especially meat, chewing a couple of these will usually break up the meat and push it down, creating relief within ten minutes or so.

A warning though- using these too frequently can upset your tummy. I had gotten into the habit of taking a few after every meal whether my food was stuck or not, and after a few weeks I ended up with horrible stomach pains. My doctor determined that excessive use of papaya enzyme was probably what was causing it. I had to stop using them for a while and was put on a double dose of Prilosec and carafate (a stomach coater) four times a day. My tummy is fine now, but I only do the papaya enzyme when I am painfully stuck. So don't overdo it!!

I don't know what brand my friend uses but I do know she gets them at a healthfood store.

She says they help to break down Proteins for easier digestion. Whatever they do, they sure helped me after dinner.

It seems that if they do work by helping to break down proteins that I would only use them if I had something stuck or had over stuffed (something I do not plan on making a habit of). I want to experience that "full" sensation as long as possible and it seems like taking papaya enzymes might speed up the process of the food going through.

I don't know but, that seems logical. I always thought the meat tenderizer thing sounded so disgusting, but, if it had been my only option at the restaurant the other night, I would have tried it!

meat tenderizer is usually made out of papaya enzymes - so really they're pretty much the same thing. Some lap-band surgeons feel they shouldn't be used, so you might want to check with your Dr.