Excess protein killing my family-help please!!

cardbucfan

So, I'm doing great with changing my diet and have lost almost all the weight I want to lose but I'm having a little digestive problem. To put it bluntly, I have gas that makes the dog whimper (and she eats her poop!!!) I don't think I'm eating excessive amounts of protein, the food I'm eating is keeping me full, I am lifting weights and working out hard so I need to protein, but apparently my body doesn't like it! Can you all give me some suggestions for things to eat that won't tax my digestive system so much? (aftraid my husband is going to divorce me or at least make me sleep in the guest room, not to mention leaving the house late in the day is a risky proposition!) I don't like oatmeal so that's not an option for breakfast but am open to others. I also need to chew, so drinks/ meal replacements aren't an option either (plus most of the meal replacement drinks have...protein!) My diary is open (no comments on the Ghiradelli chocolate chips please!)

NatalieWinning

Are you sure it's the protein? I have this problem with onions, garlic, bell peppers. It will be worse the more of them I eat. And better if I cut it out of my diet all together. Too much onion can even leave me up heaving in the middle of the night!

hpsnickers1

I don't know if this will help but maybe try some probiotics? I've had IBS so I have the problem anyway. Eating healthier and getting regular has helped my IBS but the gas stays. Lots of veggies cause it. For me, even the natural sugars do it.

And there's that yogurt for good digestion. Maybe yogurt? I wish I had more for you.

FelipaJ

(no comments on the Ghiradelli chocolate chips please!)

:flowerforyou: I just had to let you know, this made me smile :happy:

mlb929

It sounds to me like you need to increase your fiber or get things moving a little better. You may want to take magnesium at bedtime or try a fiber chew or other fiber source. Our bodies process proteins slower, so there is a chance that the protein is just not moving through your system fast enough and is the meats are fermenting per say. You may want to watch your dairy intake as this is also a common problem. I know I can't eat soy my body hates it.

Red13

I think it may not be the protein either. If you have increased your fiber significantly and your body is not used to it, you will have gas problems.

elainegsd

I get those problems when I consume too much sugar. Are you sure it is the protein? Your diet looks heavy on beans and leafy green stuff that can also cause gas. Maybe try Beano?

HerbieSue

cardbucfan: I am impressed that you can keep a bag of chocolate chips in the house and only eat 8 at a time!!! You are my hero!

garedds

I have this problem more when I eat "gassy" veggies like cabbage or broccoli, also if I eat beans too much. YUM taco salad last night, but my poor husband.

JDMPWR

I don't feel your protein level is just for your gassiness. I think if anything you could cut down on beans and change your source of fiber. Also cut down your carbs. They are way too high IMO. I would shoot for a 45/35/20 ratio of carbs, protein, fat or even 40/40/20.

I take in upwards of 230-250 grams a day and am never really gassy at all. I do notice when I take in beans or large amounts of broccoli then I become gassy and broccoli is certainly not a protein source, beans yes, broccoli no.

Valtishia

I was looking at your food diary and the only thing I can see is that lately your fibre intake has been quite high. From what I understand you should be drinking 8 glasses or water per day to accomodate 25g of fibre. There needs to be a balance of water and fibre for it to promote peristalsis (movement of your bowels) properly. Generally it looks like you have 8-9 glasses of water a day from your diary... maybe you need to down the fibre a little or up the water a little?

Valtishia

I don't feel your protein level is just for your gassiness. I think if anything you could cut down on beans and change your source of fiber. Also cut down your carbs. They are way too high IMO. I would shoot for a 45/35/20 ratio of carbs, protein, fat or even 40/40/20.

I take in upwards of 230-250 grams a day and am never really gassy at all. I do notice when I take in beans or large amounts of broccoli then I become gassy and broccoli is certainly not a protein source, beans yes, broccoli no.

That may be it too. I don't have this issue but I can tell you my husband is gassy as hell when he eats alot of veggies. thats how I know when he has been lying to me about his food intake lol

elainegsd

cardbucfan: I am impressed that you can keep a bag of chocolate chips in the house and only eat 8 at a time!!! You are my hero!

Oh MAN! I was going to say the same thing, but didn't because she requested no comments on the chips! :happy:

cardbucfan

Thanks guys for all the comments. I was thinking it was the protein because I was eating so much more of it but I am eating a lot more salads and almost every salad has chickpeas on it. I did some research before posting and I found several things saying that excess protein will cause the problems I am having. I don't think it's the fiber because I have always taken a fiber pill and things are moving along like usual (I also drink TONS of water, I just don't keep clicking on the button, I probably go through four 24 oz water bottles per day). I have always had issues if I eat a ton of broccoli, onions or garlic but lately it's been reeaally bad. So, I'm gonna cut out the chickpeas immediately and see if that helps.

(I also think I'm gonna have to lose the chocolate chips too, they were a lovely way to assuage my chocolate cravings but I've adapted quite well to dark chocolate now!)

svackar

You migh also consider cutting down the amount of fat gram intake...I know my body has issues when I have too much fat. Good luck!

rosalunde

I noticed that you use Splenda each morning. I have the same problem if I use Splenda. Can't tolerate even a little of it. I am not against artificial sweeteners- just know how this one affects my body. Also read labels and check for the sugar alcohols such as mannitol and sorbitol. Even low calorie chewing gum has some of these. they can adversely affect the GI tract. http://www.ask.com/wiki/Sugar_alcohol

kjensen15

I noticed that you use Splenda each morning. I have the same problem if I use Splenda. Can't tolerate even a little of it. I am not against artificial sweeteners- just know how this one affects my body. Also read labels and check for the sugar alcohols such as mannitol and sorbitol. Even low calorie chewing gum has some of these. they can adversely affect the GI tract. http://www.ask.com/wiki/Sugar_alcohol

I have this same exact problem...

I've also lived with digestive problems for the last several years... I recently have started eating Greek yogurt just aboute every morning. I have been amazed at what a difference it has made.

cardbucfan

I don't think it's the splenda, I have been using that since it came out (please don't start on the artifical sweetener rant-I'm not giving it up and I don't like stevia) so it's not new. I didn't eat the chickpeas yesterday (actually not a great eating day all the way around) and didn't have quite the problem so we'll see if that was it. I do eat Greek yogurt occasionally, I really try to limit calcium because I see a big difference in how my skin looks when I consume calcium. I tend to break out a lot more when I've had some. I'm having broccoli on Thanksgiving and there will be onions in the dressing so that won't be a good barometer but I'll just keep plugging away!

I'm actually pretty happy with my fat/carb/protein mix (other than that digestive issue!) and this is a combination that I can maintain for life. I'm one of those people that do NOT do well when I really restrict one thing and if I'm not able to maintain what I'm doing forever, I'll be right back 20 lbs. heavier. Over the years I have tried every "diet" out there and have lost weight but I gain it all back and then some because I'm not willing to give up that deprivation thing (be it carbs or fat) forever. The way I am eating now is really easy for me and I don'f feel deprived. For me, it's truly about how much I eat and trying to eat healthy 80% of the time. I know when I want to wear the little black dress or fitted pants to cut way back on carbs for a few days to get the tummy pooch a little flatter but I've had a pooch since 8th grade when I weighed 115 lbs. and was 5'8 so that's my body. I just need to play around with some of what I'm eating so I will be a socially acceptable person to be around!

rosalunde

please don't start on the artifical sweetener rant-I'm not giving it up and I don't like stevia

I don't think I was ranting about artificial sweeteners. I did say I wasn't against them. "apologies for any offense & bows out of discussion here"