Bowel Movement Help

Fabulous_Fit
Fabulous_Fit Posts: 25
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi there!
I have been increasing my water intake, roughly 13 glasses a day and I have been having about 25 grams of fiber per day. I am not necessarily constipated (sorry, TMI) but I have not been regular either. I have been drinking two cups of coffee per day, also.

I am not sure what to do to make me more regular! I am also eating roughly 60 grams of protein per day. I hope this helps... :)

Thank you in advance!

Replies

  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    when I drink water it comes out of a different orifice, but apparently "we're all different" LOL.

    but seriously, bacteria are a big part of your output so some pre or probiotic foods or things that ferment late in the system are as good as anything.

    If your fibre is from veg it has a different effect to that from wheat bran etc - insoluble vs soluble fibre.
  • mammakat0830
    mammakat0830 Posts: 117 Member
    Since I got serious about eating healthier I have had more problems in this area... I bought fiber with probiotic supplements (which really haven't helped). You can try Miralax which is healthy and won't create dependency (used that in the past too). I felt this problem became worse for me when I increased my protein- maybe watch your protein intake and see if you see a correlation?
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Are you getting enough fat? (Your diary is closed)
  • 122ish
    122ish Posts: 339 Member
    I tend to sound like a broken record often when talking about constipation but I am never regular unless I drink chlorophyll and chia seeds coupled with exercise. I have off days that throw my regularities off so then I eat 10-12 prunes or have 2 tbsp milk of mag to get back on track ( prefer not use milk of mag unless its absolutely necessary) also elevate my legs whole going. I have tried fiber supplements but prefer a more natural approach so chia and chlorophyll it is for me. Hope u solve your issue cause u don't wanna be full of it.

    Oh sometimes eating a little pack of raspberries, blueberries or blackberries helps too.
  • kazzsjourney
    kazzsjourney Posts: 674 Member
    I find chia seeds helps.
  • pinkgigi
    pinkgigi Posts: 693 Member
    Since having more protein and cutting out carbs, I've had the same problem, I also swear by Chia seeds.

    GG
  • balancedbrunette
    balancedbrunette Posts: 530 Member
    I've noticed problems with my digestive system strangely enough since i started loosing weight more, for a while there i was thinking perhaps i just wasn't getting enough but i have been cutting gradually, i guess it is largely down to the type of foods you eat, i have significantly more protein in my diet and it could be this, also need to get more probiotics into me
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    watermelon helps me poop
  • Doodlewhopper
    Doodlewhopper Posts: 1,018 Member
    Spinach, apples (or unsweetened apple sauce) and tbs of ground flax seed daily.
  • 4theking
    4theking Posts: 1,196 Member
    Bowel movements are closely tied to metabolism. Speed your metabolism up and they become more frequent and regular.
  • EmmaKarney
    EmmaKarney Posts: 690 Member
    Are you getting enough fat? (Your diary is closed)

    This.

    I see a nutritionist and he said the cause of my 'irregularity" was not enough fat in my diet - so I am now eating a lot more meat and switched to full fat dairy - if you eat a lot of fibre and a low-fat diet you can actually gum yourself up.
  • ladyark
    ladyark Posts: 1,101 Member
    I have had some problems since upping the protein and the fiber. Too much can cause constipation too. I have found that if i take 500 milligrams of magnesium every day ( good for nerve and muscle health) i am as regular as can be now.
  • BeccaBollons
    BeccaBollons Posts: 652 Member
    I have had this prob a bit in the past, and I find that apples with the skin still on really helps. Also oats can help. And exercise.
  • ThimbleSizedPerfection
    ThimbleSizedPerfection Posts: 20
    Hi there Fabulous_Fit!

    I have a rare bowel disorder called EGE (eosinophilic gastroenteritis). Basically it is different in every person but in me I don't have the right amount of white blood cells in my GI tract. So since birth I have dealt with constipation, I was three weeks old before I even had my first bowel movement. I'm not going to give you the advice for what I do now (because I do unhealthy things now), but before I got into unhealthy behaviors (that I'm trying to quit) I drank more coffee (I know they tell you NOT to, but coffee is a natural laxative), green and herbal tea, didn't bulk up on too much fiber, and once a week I would sit down in front of the tv with the heating pad on my stomach (it's a gross thought, but it WORKS)! It did wonders for me!

    Hope this helps,
    Madison
  • 4theking
    4theking Posts: 1,196 Member
    I have had some problems since upping the protein and the fiber. Too much can cause constipation too. I have found that if i take 500 milligrams of magnesium every day ( good for nerve and muscle health) i am as regular as can be now.

    Good point, as most people are deficient in magnesium and if so, magnesium supplementation can raise metabolism.
  • glovepuppet
    glovepuppet Posts: 1,710 Member
    do you walk/run enough? walking & running stimulate the bowel muscles.

    everyone checks diet but people often forget exercise.
  • MyJourney1960
    MyJourney1960 Posts: 1,133 Member
    so you're not constipated, just going less "than usual"?

    Maybe you don't need to go more. your body may be adjusting to a new diet/water intake/exercise.

    what has helped me (not all at once :laugh: ):
    *coffee first thing in the morning (even if you don't have time- make a pot the night before and drink it cold).
    *oatmeal - mixture of rolled oats, quick oats and oat bran. mix 3 tablespoons with yogurt or boiling water or milk or juice.
    *vegetables, fruit, a little bit of dried fruit (figs, prunes)
    * lots of water.
    *hard boiled eggs
    *exercise (anything that gets you moving - running, walking, etc)
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    3 words


    Cayenne pepper capsules


    but be warned...EAT after taking..... or you will suffer..and I'm not talking from burning when going to the loo...I'm talking the moment the capsules 'burst' and then you will feel sick, hurt in the gut like never before, and really almost pass out.


    Eat after taking ( banana you saved my life) and you will only feel mild tingling & nothing more. Yet it WILL be enough to get things moving inside, with the added bonus of sweating a bit more.


    100,000 each capsule has on the scoville scale....or you can get 40,000 ones. They will.....WILL hurt if you dont eat. I had to be rescued by son & hubby cause I forgot to eat after it & went walking. I was in tears from almost passing out, cramping up & feeling like I was having a heart attack.


    Put all that aside & they are BRILLIANT for constipation. Better than laxatives (you cant take them ALL the time)
  • Cameron_1969
    Cameron_1969 Posts: 2,855 Member
    smoke a cigarette.
  • OgahpahBear
    OgahpahBear Posts: 13
    I find Kombucha and Chia seeds to help a lot. You can also try eating more fresh fruits. The juice in the fruit will help to hydrate your body and keep the mucus in your gut flowing well.
  • evileen99
    evileen99 Posts: 1,564 Member
    Twenty-five grams of fiber isn't enough for me to be regular. I have to eat around 35 gm to keep things moving. Maybe you should try adding a little more and see what happens. Berries are very high in fiber and easy to fit in to your diet without adding a lot of calories.
  • CarmenSRT
    CarmenSRT Posts: 843 Member
    Hmmm. My average fiber intake is about twice yours. Regularity isn't a problem for me *except* when we go on a several days' length car trip. What I miss out on when we do that is my exercise. Without at least an hour of exercise daily my regularity suffers.

    How much exercise do you do daily?
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    when I drink water it comes out of a different orifice, but apparently "we're all different" LOL.

    but seriously, bacteria are a big part of your output so some pre or probiotic foods or things that ferment late in the system are as good as anything.

    If your fibre is from veg it has a different effect to that from wheat bran etc - insoluble vs soluble fibre.

    Seriously? Water/hydration are essential for BM's and regularity. I had to stop reading there. *smh* bionics :grumble:
  • wwstewart
    wwstewart Posts: 135 Member
    smoke a cigarette.


    Oddly...this helps me, too.

    Of course, if you DON'T smoke, you probably shouldn't. But yeah, nicotine is a stimulant, and that's one of the things it stimulates.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    Yeah I agree with everyone above who is concerned that you aren't having the right balance to keep you regular.

    There are herbal supplements as well as OTC stuff that can help you go when you're in a bind but for the most part your diet should do it.

    Here are some natural remedies that work for me before I reach for anything herbal or OTC.

    -coffee (as you stated)
    -coffee and a bran muffin with butter (whoosh!)
    -coffee with cayenne, coconut oil, maple syrup, cocoa powder and coffee-mate (found this one out by accident when I ran out of sugar and thought maple syrup might not taste good with coffee so got crazy adding stuff).
    -OJ
    -apple cider vinegar a tablespoon
    -going for a walk
    -laying on your left side
    -some weird shake machine that you stand on that looks like a scale but literally shakes the crap out of you (at colonics places and lately at the mall as an exercise machine in the kiosks at the center walkways)
    -burrito's from questionable restaurants
    -chinese food from same
    -indian food from same


    The end. Happy eliminations! :flowerforyou:
  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    I never ever have this issue but did the other day after surgery for some reason. 8 prunes and some water fixed it easily. TMI but you asked. Be well!
  • MyJourney1960
    MyJourney1960 Posts: 1,133 Member

    -burrito's from questionable restaurants
    -chinese food from same
    -indian food from same


    The end. Happy eliminations! :flowerforyou:
    lol

    add questionable falafel to the list:explode:
  • freddi11e
    freddi11e Posts: 317 Member
    bump! i drink 2 cups of coffee.. 2 cups of tea... and 8 cups of water... HAVENT HAD A BOWEL MOVEMENT IN A WEEK. also eat way more than 25 g of fiber...
  • freddi11e
    freddi11e Posts: 317 Member
    I tend to sound like a broken record often when talking about constipation but I am never regular unless I drink chlorophyll and chia seeds coupled with exercise. I have off days that throw my regularities off so then I eat 10-12 prunes or have 2 tbsp milk of mag to get back on track ( prefer not use milk of mag unless its absolutely necessary) also elevate my legs whole going. I have tried fiber supplements but prefer a more natural approach so chia and chlorophyll it is for me. Hope u solve your issue cause u don't wanna be full of it.

    Oh sometimes eating a little pack of raspberries, blueberries or blackberries helps too.

    you drink chlorophyll and chia seeds? how much? like u put it in a blender or something?? im going to try this.. more details pls :) thanks
  • rumplesnat
    rumplesnat Posts: 372
    bump! i drink 2 cups of coffee.. 2 cups of tea... and 8 cups of water... HAVENT HAD A BOWEL MOVEMENT IN A WEEK. also eat way more than 25 g of fiber...

    A week??!!?? I'd stop at the store and get some Mirilax. Like now.

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