Trouble with Constipation since I started eating clean.

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  • grassette
    grassette Posts: 976 Member
    Probiotics. Lots of them!

    I need to deal with this too. I'm having a really, ahem, hard time lately. After having IBS for so long, not being able to go is an issue! I'm taking a laxative 2x a week right now. And I drink plenty of water, and eat plenty of fat. Pretty sure I'm getting enough fiber too.

    I do have an issue with veggies though. Maybe that's why? Ever since I had my gallbladder out, I go through bouts where I cannot stomach veggies of any sort. They cause intense stomach pain! That's a whole other topic though.

    I hope you get situated!

    Take Metamucil instead of a laxative. It does not make you dependent the way a laxative does. Take a laxative that frequently and you will need them forever.
  • albamakeup
    albamakeup Posts: 3
    the fiber can be hard to digest, it can be binding rather than stimulating, I tried it all this is a very common problem, 2 tablespoons of udo oil before bed is good
  • melr789
    melr789 Posts: 35 Member
    Had the same problem, just increase your water intake, You need an adequate fluid intake so that the fiber can absorb it; otherwise your stool may become hard and constipation may worsen
  • FlynnMacCallister
    FlynnMacCallister Posts: 172 Member
    An abrupt change in eating habits is always going to take a little while to adjust to. >_o Upping you water intake should hep a lot.

    Some people have suggested metamucil or other fiber supplements: considerin gthe big change for you might just be a sudden increase in fiber, that's not the route I'd go right now. If it becomes a chronic problem, then yeah, the extra fiber can help a lot, but it might not be the answer right now.
  • habsfan802
    habsfan802 Posts: 61 Member
    An insoluable fiber supplement (something with psyllium husk is great) will help. Also make sure that you have an excellent probiotic as it will help with the gas. Don't be afraid of farting - it helps to relieve the gas. I know are taught that passing gas is "bad", but really a normal adult should pass gas about 14-20 times per day.

    I need you to come to work with me on monday and explain this to my co-workers
  • ariant23
    ariant23 Posts: 161 Member
    Think about it the opposite way... if you have loose stools (diarrhea) you eat ABC/BRAT Apples-Bananas-Cereal(non whole grain) or Bananas-Apples-Rice(white)-Toast(white). Pick whichever acronym you can remember. So if you're constipated.... AVOID these foods. Eat plums, prunes, pears, berries of all kinds to loosen things up.
    As for fiber... read the warning on the side of any of the fiber one products about adding too much fiber too quick.. it will constipate you. And yes, add some fluid, and caffeine, it's a stimulant, it will stimulate your digestive tract.
    If you recently added a multi-vitamin, it could be the iron in it. If you opt to purchase something in the pharmacy section, try a stool softener first, before a laxative. Softeners don't have the same "dependent" effect that laxatives can create.

    *edit... oh yeah, it's the pectin in the apples/bananas that binds up the stool (the same way pectin makes jelly, well, gel).
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    That happened to me as well. Increased water intake, started taking 2 caps of Metamucil before meals (plus makes you fuller faster), started taking fish oil and increased fats in diet (avocado, peanut butter). Haven't had problems since!
  • icandothis318
    icandothis318 Posts: 40 Member
    I actually struggle with the same thing. When eating cleaner, I go much less often (and sometimes hurt- but not all the time). But, when I eat junk, I have a nice, healthy looking BM 1-2x a day. It is crazy...(I eat lots of fiber and drink close to 2 gallons a day, so it isn't either of those). It is so weird.

    I am the same exact way. It seems like I go more (even though that's not often either) when I am eating horrible. Nowadays, I am eating a pretty clean veggie, water, fiber and all the good stuff type diet and.... nothing or not frequent, I should say. But if I were to go the diner right now and get my corned beef hash and eggs breakfast, I would go about 20 minutes after and it is just as natural as can be. It leads me to believe, with my system, it is something with fat and perhaps eating clean I am not getting enough. The ironic part is that I do get fat now as I am not caught up on the fat free thing but I don't get the kind of fat I would get from that diner meal. Not sure what to do!
  • theartichoke
    theartichoke Posts: 816 Member
    Thank you for all the responses! It was a too little fat issue for me too. At breakfast I started taking 1 tablespoon of whole golden flax seeds and toasting them over med-high heat until they start to pop. I pulse them in a coffee grinder for about 10 seconds. Mix into 1 tablespoon freshly ground almond butter, spread on Ezekiel bread and voila! Not a problem once since then.

    Edit - The already ground flax didn't work. The oils break down too fast and the seeds should be kept refrigerated.
  • charlybu
    charlybu Posts: 47 Member
    I had the same problem for about 3 weeks after I started. I suggest Fiber supplements, coffee, and my personal favorite Swedish fish =) ( They're made with mineral oil, natural laxative!) Things should normalize after a little while.
  • SCVSarah
    SCVSarah Posts: 231 Member
    Same thing happens to me. If I eat like crap I'll go 1-2 times a day. I eat healthy and I'm lucky if it happens every two or three days and it hurts. Activia, coffee, lots of fruits/veggies, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, all these things seem to help a little. I'm assuming this is normal since it happens to the best of us.
  • nitepagan
    nitepagan Posts: 205 Member
    Take magnesium supplements, I like Peter Gillhams Natural Calm. Available at natural food stores. The magnesium restores balance and helps regulate calcium. You will know when your no longer deficient when your comfortably loose. I like the lemon flavor, the orange flavor was not to my liking.
  • HollywoodDJ
    HollywoodDJ Posts: 296
    Yup...me too! Thank you for posting this! My body can't decide what it wants to be...constipated or diarrhea. I spent this last weekend in incredible amount of pain due to gas cramps. My tummy is still sore and hurts. Like I had surgery or something. I will try more fiber because I am also noticing no weightloss too. I am looking at my numbers and drinking the water and staying under my calorie goal (for the most part) and exercising 5-6 days a week. I feel frustrated but I know that I am trying to listen to my body and I do want to give it what it needs!~

    Again, thank you for the post!

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  • tldust
    tldust Posts: 103 Member
    Dried prunes, flax seed and more water. Do you drink coffee? Coffee always helps. But if nothing is working, try a bottle of Magnesium Citrate. They use it for colonoscopy preps. Be prepared to be on the toilet all day. I would use that just to get started. It's not something you want to use on a regular or even semi-regular bases. Just for constipation emergencies.
  • LizLSB
    LizLSB Posts: 8 Member
    Having the same problem. Good suggestions here!
  • MalPal2
    MalPal2 Posts: 6 Member
    I am having this same issue! I've switched my diet up quite a bit and it's been a few weeks since I've really felt comfortable. I ended up taking a laxative tonight just so I could get some relief. Hopefully after I drink some more water this issue will go away soon. I'm on week three of eating clean. I feel better aside from the bloating and constant fullness. But I read some of the reply and I'm going to try. My diet now has LOTS of fiber in it already.... not really sure why things are being so difficult in that department. Maybe it is an issue of dehydration with me though. I am bad about getting my water intake. I probably only drink about 6 cups a day. Hope it all clears up for us soon! And stick with it! :)
  • kdeaux1959
    kdeaux1959 Posts: 2,675 Member
    bump up the fiber and drink plenty of fluids. Make sure you eat enough to poop... sometimes that can be a problem for some who severely limit their intake. Also, it will take a little time for your body to adjust.
  • tennisdude2004
    tennisdude2004 Posts: 5,609 Member
    Sometimes too much insoluble fibre (grains wheat green leafy veg) can actually have a negative effect on constipation.

    Try eating more of the soluble fibre and also fat is a good mover of things and can help you be more regular.

    Hope you work things out (not like an accountant though).
  • orchidee1987
    orchidee1987 Posts: 97 Member
    What works best for me : a side salad with (olive) oïl and a pear everyday.
  • hopesmothermon
    hopesmothermon Posts: 1 Member
    Me too, Icannot take physillum, it makes me gag. Did you find a solution let me know,
  • KimiSteinbach
    KimiSteinbach Posts: 224 Member
    I take 1,000 mg of magnesium daily... It works great! I go every day now!!!
  • lewispwest
    lewispwest Posts: 498 Member
    Yeah I used to go for a #2 when I woke up every morning. I feel I need to now but I can't manage it until after I've had breakfast.

    Will try some of the tips here.
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