Warning: Gross subject

Dclem1206
Dclem1206 Posts: 42
edited October 5 in Food and Nutrition
So I've been using MFP for 3 weeks now and my bowel movements have went from once a day to once or twice a week. Should I be concerned? Does eating healthy cause you to have fewer bowel movements?
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Replies

  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
    increase fiber, veggies, and water. Should help :]
  • jessashcher
    jessashcher Posts: 155
    mine did that too, and I find when I do increase my fiber it goes back to regular.
  • NemesisJRM
    NemesisJRM Posts: 248 Member
    Dunno the answer but I have noticed the same thing..... I even tried increasing my fiber to compensate but nothing..... so bump to see the answer
  • themetra
    themetra Posts: 174 Member
    My guess is your body is adjusting. Make sure you're getting enough fiber and drinking lots of water.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    As soon as I hit reply, Sunshine_88's answer was already there and was pretty much what I was gonna say.
  • mbb0301
    mbb0301 Posts: 33
    No, eating healthy regulates everything. You should have a bowel for every time you eat (if you eat 2x's a day, you should have 2 bowel movements).

    Are you getting enough fiber? Are you eating fresh fruits and veggies? Are you drinking plenty of water?
  • CaptainGordo
    CaptainGordo Posts: 4,437 Member
    No worries. I think most folks here get a kick out of poop threads. Well, I do.
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    yeah...that is not good...I agree with the fiber comments! you need to poop :)
  • lucylue21
    lucylue21 Posts: 214
    i hadnt pooped in four days and i ate 10 satsumas yesterday... i pooped
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    and i looked at your diary for a few days...slow down on the bananas and cheese, both will bind you up!
  • 12skipafew99100
    12skipafew99100 Posts: 1,669 Member
    no worries, you're still within normal limits.
  • lucylue21
    lucylue21 Posts: 214
    As soon as I hit reply, Sunshine_88's answer was already there and was pretty much what I was gonna say.

    she hasnt replied yet
  • spammyanna
    spammyanna Posts: 871 Member
    My guess is your body is adjusting. Make sure you're getting enough fiber and drinking lots of water.

    This, it can take some time, but it will work itself out.
  • Kslice39
    Kslice39 Posts: 146
    increase your fruits and veggies along with your water intake :)
  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    Start tracking your fibre. It does help.

    I've also heard there are some ways to help you go, such as coffee, apples, raisins etc
  • slnash
    slnash Posts: 16
    OK, I did this too and tried more fiber, etc. Everything just hurt my stomach (pain) but STILL nothing. Finally, I just got a stool softener and took them every NIGHT until something happened, then took them an extra couple of nights. You would not believe the pressure that was removed! After that, I made sure I had a yogurt every day. That has kept things normal since.
  • auntiebabs
    auntiebabs Posts: 1,754 Member
    As soon as I hit reply, Sunshine_88's answer was already there and was pretty much what I was gonna say.

    she hasnt replied yet

    hers was the first reply
  • RaeN81
    RaeN81 Posts: 534 Member
    It could be a sign that you aren't eating enough. Since I have no idea of the deficit you are carrying, I can't say for sure but if your deficit is much more than 1000 cals a day, you might be shocking your system and your body may be going into conservation mode. If you know this is the case---eat more!

    Carefully go over your diary and make sure you are getting enough water and fibre (reminder: fibre will do you no good without water). Yogurt may also help to regulate your digestive tract and could be added to your regimen.
  • megan6709
    megan6709 Posts: 60 Member
    No worries. I think most folks here get a kick out of poop threads. Well, I do.

    LOL at that one.

    I kind of went the opposite way, but not too terribly. BUT I was eating crap before and now with all the vegetables and extra water, I am pretty sure its normal. What I think is that if you don't feel constipated or bloated, you probably shouldn't worry too much. If you do start to feel that way, you might want to get checked out just to make sure... Maybe talk to a nutritionist?
  • hhorncastle
    hhorncastle Posts: 84 Member
    I'm having the exact same problem. The only thing is everything I've read says increase your fiber, drink more water and exercise. Well, before I started MFP, I was a junk food-snarfing couch potato who only drank water if I happened to open my mouth in the shower. And I was regular as clockwork. Now, I'm consistently getting more than the daily recommended amount of fiber, at least 8 glasses of water a day and hit the gym two or three times a week and ... nuthin'. I've tried Benefiber, Fiber One cereal, probiotic yoghurt, even MORE water ... still nuthin'. (ETA: Well, not NOTHING.. maybe 3 times a week instead of once or twice a day.) It's uncomfortable and I'm sure it's messing with my weigh-ins. Glad to hear I'm not the only one, though. I was ready to make a doctor's appointment.
  • maggiemay365
    maggiemay365 Posts: 181 Member
    For breakfast I eat a greek yogurt and Kelloggs all bran buds (51percent fiber) and it seem to do the trick.
  • emergencytennis
    emergencytennis Posts: 864 Member
    No, eating healthy regulates everything. You should have a bowel for every time you eat (if you eat 2x's a day, you should have 2 bowel movements).

    Are you getting enough fiber? Are you eating fresh fruits and veggies? Are you drinking plenty of water?

    Is that right? I have never heard that before. I eat 3 meals plus snacks like fruit and I just go once. Am I going to die?
  • megan6709
    megan6709 Posts: 60 Member
    yogurt too, like other people have mentioned. I don't even LIKE yogurt, but I have been eating it every day. (It's the slime factor I don't like, otherwise its ok)
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    As soon as I hit reply, Sunshine_88's answer was already there and was pretty much what I was gonna say.

    she hasnt replied yet

    hers was the first reply

    Ever since the advent of time travel, forum threads have become very confusing to follow.
  • Agito
    Agito Posts: 45 Member
    It could have to do with how much you're eating too. Less food in, less waste comming out.

    Not sure if it's true or not, but my grandmother claims that eating dried appricots every day helps with this.
  • CateLouise
    CateLouise Posts: 60 Member
    in the hospital if you havnt gone on the third day you get laxatives....thats pretty standard in Australia
    i wouldnt take any laxatives or anything just increase your fibre and water, if you do that and its still only twice a week go see a doctor as if you dont poop it out it goes hard and that is not good
    i looked after a lady who hadnt gone in like 12 days.....................it was bad
  • fiberartist219
    fiberartist219 Posts: 1,865 Member
    I just saw a doctor last week for some... uhh... difficulties I was having.

    She said that anywhere from three times a day up to three times a week are all normal, but if you used to go more often than you are now, something could be going on.

    I agree that fiber won't help without water. Here's what I suggest, in this order:

    1. Drink more water (I'm currently drinking three quarts a day, and it is helping a lot. It didn't at first, but after a few days, it's great.)

    2. Eat more fiber. Whole grains are a great source of fiber. Some cereals are known for having lots of fiber. Beans are good too. You'd think veggies have a lot of fiber, but they don't have as much as I thought they did. They are still better than nothing. If you have trouble getting 30-35 grams of fiber in a day, consider a fiber supplement, like Metamucil or Benefiber. I like to get the drink mixes, because it helps me get more water.

    3. Consider a stool softener. My doctor recommended Colace. It doesn't soften it up that much for me, but it does make it a little more slippery so it eases out better.

    4. If you can't go for more than three days, you should check in with your doctor.

    Some other ideas: Activia yogurt (it helps me, but it doesn't solve all my digestive issues), magnesium supplements (if you take enough, they give you diarrhea.)
  • fiberartist219
    fiberartist219 Posts: 1,865 Member
    Oh, and whatever you do, don't push too hard. That's how people get hemorrhoids.
  • Articeluvsmemphis
    Articeluvsmemphis Posts: 1,987 Member
    mine was silly for a couple weeks but every month (once a month only) i drink an organic laxative tea. tastes good, you go in the morning a couple times, cleans you out good, and keeps you rolling well for a while. i also take braggs organic apple cider vinager. i drink tea or coffee pretty much everyday. and avoiding heavy foods pretty much ensures i am regular everyday (and vitamins) i take 1 multi vitamin a day naturemade
  • liz3marie
    liz3marie Posts: 211 Member
    i have the same problem, when i started eating healthier, not to be gross but i got really constipated, i took a laxitive and give a few days it went back to normal, i wouldnt normaly take a laxitive but i was in alot of pain from gas build up and constipation, which is also a good reason for me to remeber to stick to eating healthy or ill have to go threw that again
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