How to Avoid the Bean Protocol Detox Side Effects (Plus Simple Remedies)

Health

Jul 27

Written By Yazzi | Intuitive Wellness Coach

The side effects from the bean protocol can be rough and include a wide range of symptoms and it can feel really uncomfortable.

What kind of uncomfortable symptoms can you have on TBP? Well, here’s a list

Fatigue
Insomnia
Night Sweats
Inflammation (arthritis)
Bloating
Acid Reflux
Gas
Nausea
Muscle Cramps
Dehydration
Headaches
Brain Fog
Constipation or Diarrhea
Irritability or Mood Swings
Weakness
Kidney Pain (feels like back soreness around the kidneys)
Acne
Rashes
Itchy bottom (caused by toxins leaving the body)
Or any other symptoms that you’ve previously experienced prior to starting the protocol

Let’s discuss what causes the Bean Protocol detox symptoms, how to avoid them, and simple remedies to cure them.

Table of Contents Show

What Causes the TBP Detox Symptoms to Arise?

There’s no one specific thing that causes detox side effects, but rather it’s often a combination of doing the protocol. Here are five different causes of the bean protocol flu:

The removal of toxins from the body caused by the soluble fiber

Our liver is like a garbage disposal. If you leave food inside the garbage disposal, it will lead to fermentation and build-up - so when the garbage disposal finally turns on, it will stink and clog up the system. Toxic fat-soluble bile builds up in the liver. This is why the body bloats, and gasses are released.

Dehydration

Beans will dehydrate you, so if you’re not drinking up to a gallon of water a day, the toxins that are being removed from your body will linger in your body. This combo will knock you out and make you feel thirsty behind belief.

Withdrawal from sugar and caffeine

Quitting caffeine and sugar is no different than quitting smoking or drugs. They’re all addictive because they cause the brain to go through chemical changes to boost mood, concentration, or increase mood.

After we have sugar and caffeine regularly, we’ll need more to get the same initial effects of concentration or mood-boosting benefits. Aka we are addicted!!!

When we stop consuming them, the floodgates of pain will open like headaches, fatigue, mood swings, irritability, night sweats, and so much more.

Recirculation of old hormones and toxins

Bile is fantastic, and the fact that it’s a safeguard that our body has in case we’re ever without essential nutrients is dope.

However, one of the most frustrating things about bile is that still holds the hormones and toxins that cause the original symptoms.

When the bile recirculates with those old hormones that made our head hurt, well, it makes our heads hurt again. And the hormones will continue to make our heads hurt until those hormones vacate the premises. Thanks, body 😒

Stress

Yup, if shit gets hard emotionally or physically, this can release excess hormones in your body causing your symptoms to reappear.

These adverse experiences don’t have to be big either, they can be small stressors that can release havoc within the body.

Stress from not having enough time, over exercising, having an annoying convo with someone, traffic, and etc.

How to Avoid Adverse Side Effects from the Bean Protocol

There are ways to prevent the protocol, but it requires patience. Try these tips to avoid the symptoms of detoxing.

Introduce Beans in small amounts

Although we may want to jump in removing all of the toxins from our bodies and eat all the beans, it can be harmful if you eat too many to start.

If you’re not used to eating beans, be patient and start slowly so your body can acclimate to all the goodness beans have to offer. Start by eating one bean a day, three times a day, and only increase by one bean a day if you don’t have any symptoms.

If you do have uncomfortable symptoms, go back to the number of beans you had without any symptoms for a few days and try to increase again until you’re able to digest again.

PS bean pasta is totally acceptable!

Slowly withdrawal from sugar and caffeine

Some people swear by cutting sugar and caffeine cold turkey, but not all people should. If you want to ease the symptoms, reduce the amounts of sugar and caffeine a little each week.

Slowly decreasing sugar and caffeine doesn’t put the body into shock and has you on the floor crying for sweet relief. Instead, it allows your body to adapt to lower levels of sugar and caffeine lovingly.

Meditation

We all know the benefits of meditation, and meditation doesn’t have to take hours. It’s just about taking a few deep breaths up to a few minutes to start to 20minutes a day.

Meditation makes you mentally strong, but it also calms the nervous system that relaxes the body and helps if you want to lose weight on the bean protocol.

Plus, it’s a perfect way to begin listening to your body and get attuned to what your intuition tells you about the way you need to heal.

Bean Protocol Detox Remedies

Now that you know what causes these detox side effects, and how to ease them, let’s get to the simple remedies when you experience these symptoms.

Beans

More beans? Yup! Because of the soluble fiber, increasing the frequency of beans you have throughout the day can catch the bile recirculating in your body.

You don’t necessarily need to eat a ½ cup of beans each time, but you break that amount down and choose to eat a tablespoon or two more often.

You can also substitute a serving or two with psyllium husk, but don’t remove beans entirely because there are so many great nutrients and vitamins in beans like magnesium which helps you sleep.

If you’re rolling your eyes thinking about how you can possibly eat more beans, check out these five tips!

But don’t forget, if you’re new to having a lot of fiber in your diet, small amounts of beans is best. Literally start with one bean!

Rest

When we’re sick, what’s the best way to heal? Rest, right? When you’re experiencing any of these detox symptoms, this is precisely what you need to do too. You don’t even need to sleep, but taking it easy instead of pushing yourself to do more or follow through on an intense HIIT workout will do wonders for your recovery.

Water

As mentioned before, beans are dehydrating and that will zap your energy and make it difficult to lose focus. It’s imperative to drink plenty of water while on the protocol. You shouldn’t gulp water. Instead, you should sip on water throughout the day. You’ll be able to retain the water this way instead of making several breaks to the bathroom.

I drink six to seven of these a day.

Animal Protein

If you have brain fog or just can’t concentrate, that’s because you probably need animal protein. Eating small amounts between 1/4 palm-size to a whole palm-size serving of animal protein a day will help the neurotransmitters in your brain spark and clear your head.

If you’re vegan don’t fret, I’ll be sharing more about how my boyfriend who has been vegan for 10 years and vegetarian for 25 years uses protein! Leave a comment below if you want it!

Fresh Ginger

When you’re bloated and gassy, the best and easiest way to decrease bloating is by making fresh ginger tea. Ginger is a long-time remedy that dates back to many cultures as a successful healing remedy.

Cut half an inch of fresh ginger, remove the skin, and chop in small slices or if you want to simplify it use this nifty gadget.

Add eight-12 ounces of 180-degree hot water from an electric kettle and begin to sip. It may take anywhere between 30 to 90 minutes to see the benefit if you don’t feel free to make another cup.

But Ginger with honey is not recommended on the protocol. I’m pretty sure Ginger in general is not recommended, but I needed it and was still able to heal. So, that’s why I’ve included it!

How to Avoid the Bean Protocol Flu

Everyone is going to experience some level of the Bean protocol flu. It’s not fun, it doesn’t smell nice, and it’s uncomfortable, but using the tips above helps ease the symptoms.

Once you get past the first few months, you’ll notice that your body is not only functioning better but mostly free of symptoms! Plus you’ll have a new found respect for beans!