Healty diet really screws up my digestive system (not in a good way)

lbride

So I want to lose 10 lbs, had a solid two week start - lost five (good part of that water I'm sure); then my digestive system just stopped - too much "health" food, lot of greens, which have fiber, but not in the amount / type that I'm used to. My digestive system can be considered "sluggish" on a good day, so the fewer calories and the lack of the same type of fiber pretty much stopped it.

Finally back on track after eating anything and everything and trying anything and everything. (And for fun, now I'm back up those same 5lbs)

I'm back on track, and will start eating my standard fiber one every day. Anyone else's body revolt when eating a ton of green veggies? I don't typically eat much fat, and did not eliminate it anyway, so I think is the problem. Just the change in not getting the "grain" based fiber that I'm used to.

Gamliela

Why did you stop eating grain based diet you were used to?

LivingtheLeanDream

If you're eating completely different then its just your body adjusting to these new foods, give it time.

Scamd83

Fibre's great, you just need to carefully increase how much of it you eat. If you go for a spell where nothing is coming out, it'll be followed by a spell where you're basically living on the toilet. If you want your digestive system to not be sluggish on a good day, more fibre is going to help long term. Also lots of water, coffee and tea.

bonnie824

low carb will do that to me- and most people I think. If you eat low carb you need to add metamucil or something. If not, eat whole grain pasta, brown rice, sweet potatoes, beans.

lbride

Gamliela wrote: »

Why did you stop eating grain based diet you were used to?

Stopped because grains really are not that filling to me; so did it to stay within the calories allowance. Didn't go low carb - but definitely lower-carb than I typically eat.

lbride

Also, I drink a ton of water and coffee, always have so that has not changed.

Sabine_Stroehm

It always takes a bit of time for your body to adapt when you radically change up your diet.

msf74

Errr, yeah, if you ramp up fibre intake very quickly that's a common occurrence.

How much water are you drinking?

lbride

Thanks all - guess I didn't expect as drastic of change to the digestive system b/c I didn't much change the amount of fiber intake, just the type (mostly veggies with a bit of fruit, from primarily grain fiber, fruit and some veggies).

lbride

msf74 wrote: »

Errr, yeah, if you ramp up fibre intake very quickly that's a common occurrence.

How much water are you drinking?

I would say gallons, but I really don't know. Probably five or so 22 ounce water bottles a day (I have a re-fillable one) plus other drinks that I drink (I've been drinking a lot of sugar free carbonated water - maybe that's a difference?)

Amount of total fiber has not changed, just the "type" if you will.

msf74

lbride wrote: »

msf74 wrote: »

Errr, yeah, if you ramp up fibre intake very quickly that's a common occurrence.

How much water are you drinking?

I would say gallons, but I really don't know. Probably five or so 22 ounce water bottles a day (I have a re-fillable one) plus other drinks that I drink (I've been drinking a lot of sugar free carbonated water - maybe that's a difference?)

Amount of total fiber has not changed, just the "type" if you will.

Apologies for the reading comprehension fail on my part and sure that must seem puzzling.

I agree with what others have said as it seems your body is still adapting to the large scale changes you have made in some areas.

not_a_runner

refilling a 22 ounce bottle five times is only 110 ounces. A gallon is 128 ounces, so I really doubt you are drinking "gallons" of fluids.

arditarose

Don't do a 360. Add some veggies into your diet, keep a few grains, and don't forget to eat fat. If your fiber is high and fat intake is low AND you're in a deficit....not pretty.

lbride

TresaAswegan wrote: »

refilling a 22 ounce bottle five times is only 110 ounces. A gallon is 128 ounces, so I really doubt you are drinking "gallons" of fluids.

Very true - that def was an exaggeration. That's the "water" that I drink, I also drink about 7-8 cups of coffee per day (most decaf) plus carbonated sugar free water drinks.

I could try more water - how do people do it? This post-baby body seriously already is peeing all day long!

JeromeBarry1

Your " standard fiber one every day" gives you a high dose of insoluble fiber. You did change your fiber profile when you switched to greens but more so you upset the bacteria in your gut. Getting your fiber from a variety of sources allows the bacteria in your gut to diversify and be able to handle any fiber source.

lbride

JeromeBarry1 wrote: »

Your " standard fiber one every day" gives you a high dose of insoluble fiber. You did change your fiber profile when you switched to greens but more so you upset the bacteria in your gut. Getting your fiber from a variety of sources allows the bacteria in your gut to diversify and be able to handle any fiber source.

This is probably it. Thoughts about drinking a pro biotic like kefir or something? I've done that in the past when taking antibiotics. Haven't thought about it until now. (hate to "use up" calories for something that doesn't taste that great!)

rainbowbow

My biggest question would be....

Since you've started watching your calories and eating more fibrous vegetables have you cut down on the amount of fat you were eating?

In my opinion, getting enough fat in your diet with those veggies is the single most important thing (other than getting plenty of water) to having good digestion.

P.S. If you did, i suggest you add some fats to your diet. Like coconut oil, olive oil, canola/peanut oil, a fish oil supplement, krill oil, flax seed oil, avocados, etc. It will be night and day. I recommend hitting just around 30% of your intake from fat if you aren't already and see if that fixes the issue.

lbride

rainbowbow wrote: »

My biggest question would be....

Since you've started watching your calories and eating more fibrous vegetables have you cut down on the amount of fat you were eating?

In my opinion, getting enough fat in your diet with those veggies is the single most important thing (other than getting plenty of water) to having good digestion.

Honestly never really ate much fat - but perhaps need to focus on incorporating it if I'm upping the veggie intake.

rainbowbow

lbride wrote: »

rainbowbow wrote: »

My biggest question would be....

Since you've started watching your calories and eating more fibrous vegetables have you cut down on the amount of fat you were eating?

In my opinion, getting enough fat in your diet with those veggies is the single most important thing (other than getting plenty of water) to having good digestion.

Honestly never really ate much fat - but perhaps need to focus on incorporating it if I'm upping the veggie intake.

yep. Fat+ Fiber+ Water = good digestion

not_a_runner

Just to clarify, how long ago were you eating all these green veggies? Going back in your food diary I only saw 1-2 servings of greens on average, but maybe I didn't go back far enough?
How much fiber do you normally intake, and how much were you eating when it was causing you issues? Too much fiber can plug people up too. You don't need a ton if you are only eating 1200 calories, versus say 2000.

lbride

TresaAswegan wrote: »

Just to clarify, how long ago were you eating all these green veggies? Going back in your food diary I only saw 1-2 servings of greens on average, but maybe I didn't go back far enough?
How much fiber do you normally intake, and how much were you eating when it was causing you issues? Too much fiber can plug people up too. You don't need a ton if you are only eating 1200 calories, versus say 2000.

Started the "diet" (calorie counting) about 3 weeks ago today; last week was not great (system already feeling bad); typically would eat couple veggie kabobs with dinner, bag of salad or spinach with lunch, box of snap snow peas, some carrots, container of pre-cut celery, etc. Basically low cal stuff to "fill me up" b/c of low calorie goal (12-1400 per day).

"Normal" diet would include a couple servings of fiber one for breakfast and high fiber bread sandwich, high fiber pasta, etc.

singingflutelady

ChristopherLimoges wrote: »

I doubt it did. Looks like just another troll post.

Actually I have a GI disease (Crohn's) and am low fibre, low residue, no raw veggies and fruit, a few cooked, mo seeds, nuts, legumes, no red meat, no spices, etc and eating any of that really bothers my GI system ( diarrhea not constipation though). My body digests chips way easier than veggies.

lbride

ChristopherLimoges wrote: »

I doubt it did. Looks like just another troll post.

? based on what?

tlflag1620

Most fibrous veggies actually have more fiber than most grain products (even whole grain products) per serving. If you suddenly increase your fiber intake (by switching from lots of grains to lots of veggies), your digestive system is likely to protest (sluggishness, gas, etc). Sounds like you are drinking enough water. I second the suggestion to make sure you get adequate fat. Exercise can also help keep things moving. Beyond that, it may take a few weeks to get used to the changes.

I eat low carb, and get my fiber from veggies, seeds, and nuts, and the first couple weeks were a bit sluggish, but once my digestive system got accustomed to my new way of eating, I've never been more "regular". No Metamucil necessary.

LisaKay91

I'm 23? days in and I still am not regular yet. Raw vegetables really hurts my stomach- cramps, nausea, pain and then loose bowels. The first few weeks I didn't go but every few days. It slightly gets better with time.

singingflutelady

singingflutelady wrote: »

ChristopherLimoges wrote: »

I doubt it did. Looks like just another troll post.

Actually I have a GI disease (Crohn's) and am low fibre, low residue, no raw veggies and fruit, a few cooked, no seeds, nuts, legumes, no red meat, no spices, etc and eating any of that really bothers my GI system ( diarrhea not constipation though). My body digests chips way easier than veggies.

Why has this been flagged as abuse?