WARNING - toilet talk! Induction Phase of Atkins

Purple_Orchid_87
Purple_Orchid_87 Posts: 517 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hopefully the warning in the topic will help ppl who dont wish to discuss such things, but im really worried about something but dont want to go to my doc to be laughed at.

Ive recently switched to an atkins induction style diet - basically less than 20g carbs, lots of plain meat and a little low sugar salad things, and no added sugar squash - say 1 and 2 were GREAT, on day 3, no bowel movement, day 4, stomach cramps, day 5 started with bad tummy pains followed by VERY watery light brown stool, day 5 ended with less stomach cramps, but very yellow, VERY watery stool

quick google search says yellow = too much fat
is this *normal* for atkins style diets?
will it go away after a few days?

Replies

  • kenzietate
    kenzietate Posts: 399 Member
    Are you drinking enough water? You need more water going through Induction then you normally would. I was drinking about 100 ozs a day for my low carb diet.

    If you are drinking enough water, then I don't think that is normal. I was constipated for a day but after I upped my water intake everything went back to normal. I would be concerned if the water doesn't help.
  • mamma_nee
    mamma_nee Posts: 809 Member
    Induction = Lots and lots of water

    What do you mean by sugar things in salad??? If you are using any atkins bars etc… THEY WILL DO IT !!! Stay away from that .

    OnThe induction phase , your 20 g of carb should all be coming from green leafy veggies.

    Everyone reacts differently in the 2 week induction , your body is detoxing from all the carbs your body was used to getting so the higher carbs you used to eat the more your body will react during induction , for most people it subsides within the 1st week , more water will definitely help some. You may also feel other flu like symptoms.
  • Purple_Orchid_87
    Purple_Orchid_87 Posts: 517 Member
    kenzietate
    am trying to drink as much as i can, sometimes i feel like i just cant drink any more - i mix it up with flavoured water, but the no added sugar ones so the sugars are natural and at least a little better than the added stuff. im so worried that i gonna let out a little fart and end up in a puddle - now it might just be something that is happening today, and only today, but the colour is worrying me

    mamma_nee
    sorry, sweet salad things like carrots - im avoiding them because i know theyre so high is sugar, like beetroot and parsnips - im not eating any atkins bars or shakes or any of that - trying to eat chicken, salad and mayo for lunches, either chicken or burger (no bun) for dinner with side salad etc, and bacon and mayo for breakfast - had milk one morning with my breakfast to make sure i was getting calcium

    im not good at explaining things sorry
  • LavaDoll
    LavaDoll Posts: 595 Member
    Many changes will occur with your bowel movements, during induction and throughout an atkins type plan.

    i found this on the atkins forum, regarding loose stool in the first part of induction:
    "This is very normal. Carbs are like a magnet for water...they attract water into the muscle. As you eliminate carbs from your diet, your body is going to initially lose a lot of water. What you are experiencing is that water loss. That is why Atkins dieters usually lose so much weight the first 2 weeks on induction. What you are experiencing is temporary but very normal."

    I was the opposite, and for the first few months of atkins induction, i found that i was only having 2-3 bowel movements a week, and not much at that.

    Constipation is a usual issue, you may experience this soon. It is normal, but needs to be managed.

    Here is what the internet said:

    "a number of people do experience constipation during the beginning of The Atkins Diet. Others don't experience any kind of digestive disruption. It's different from individual to individual. Induction is a common time for Atkins dieters to experience constipation. Induction is the strictest period of The Atkins Diet. Without your normal intake of fruits, vegetables and grains you could easily experience a short-term period of constipation.
    If you've read about induction, you realize it will significantly change your dietary habits and of course, a major change in your diet can lead to a major change in bathroom habits.
    The most important thing to remember is to drink plenty of water -- even surpass that old eight glasses a day recommendation if you possibly can.
    You may also find taking a fiber supplement, such as Metamucil, to be helpful."

    I found this fiber product that is Sugar-Free - it is called Citrucel, but also Metamucil is about the same.
    Not sure what is available where you are.
    But I got the Orange flavor powder, Sugar-Free, and mixed a heaping tablespoon with a glass of ice cold water and drank that in the morning every day for about 5 days, and then only once about every 3 days or so, and that helped immensely.

    Bottom line is, when you change what goes in, expect a change in what comes out.

    Pun intended.

    ^_^
  • AlabasterVerve
    AlabasterVerve Posts: 3,171 Member
    I think better quality fats like those from fatty cuts of meat, butter, coconut oil, and heavy cream might digest better than mayonnaise which is typically made with canola oil.

    Eggs, whole roasted chicken with the skin, beef and the like would be better sources of protein (and fat) than lean meats you have to add fat to. That and A LOT of low sugar/starch vegetables instead of a little -- 20 net carbs in vegetables is not small amount -- would be the changes I would try.

    Also double check that your flavored drinks, salad dressing and what not don't have sugar alcohols -- that could be causing problems as well. Best wishes. :smile:

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