Low Carb Dieters - do you have problems with.....

mexigrl64
mexigrl64 Posts: 14 Member
edited September 28 in Recipes
OK, a little embrassing but from what I've read this isn't unusual when you drop your carbs so much and end up losing alot of fiber during the early phases of Low Carb diets.

You know what I'm talking about right??? I bought some BeneFiber supplements and have started on those but still not much help. Does anyone use either stool softeners or laxatives? The pharmacist told me to take laxatives but then my best friend (who is a nurse) said not unless its the last resort. I guess the side effects can be pretty bad.

Any thoughts on this sensitive subject?

Thank you!

Replies

  • Drunkadelic
    Drunkadelic Posts: 948 Member
    I use a probiotic every morning (mine is align) and I just bought benefiber supplements as a helper. But I still it a ton of fruit and veggies so I still get a bunch of fiber.
  • FairyMiss
    FairyMiss Posts: 1,812 Member
    yeah it does happen, but it all comes out in the end (okay really bad pun)
  • LaDawn74
    LaDawn74 Posts: 132 Member
    I eat a LOT of salads....eat lots of veggies.......I don't have that problem and I've cut back a LOT on my carbs......
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    And make sure you are drinking plenty of water to keep everything moving (so to speak!)
  • sbarrett7171
    sbarrett7171 Posts: 65 Member
    Way back when I first started a eating low carbohydrate diet, it took some time to regulate myself. But, it is no longer necessary for me to worry about it. My system adjusted. I don't belive that a lot of fiber is as necessary as many believe
  • ckroys
    ckroys Posts: 219 Member
    Smooth Move tea. Works well!!!
  • lalickly
    lalickly Posts: 1
    I did at first, but a LOT of water and greens/veggies helps and your system adjusts. Smooth Move tea works well, but I use orange flavored metamucil (psyllium husk) every once in a while and it's pretty pleasant tasting and works great too.
  • LaJauna
    LaJauna Posts: 336 Member
    OK, a little embrassing but from what I've read this isn't unusual when you drop your carbs so much and end up losing alot of fiber during the early phases of Low Carb diets.

    You know what I'm talking about right??? I bought some BeneFiber supplements and have started on those but still not much help. Does anyone use either stool softeners or laxatives? The pharmacist told me to take laxatives but then my best friend (who is a nurse) said not unless its the last resort. I guess the side effects can be pretty bad.

    Any thoughts on this sensitive subject?

    Thank you!

    I drink a cup of coffee every morning with a tbsp of extra virgin coconut oil in it with my heavy cream and liquid splenda. It has been very helpful. Also you can take extra magnesium to help you to "relax". Keep in mind that low carb eating has less "waste" so to speak so your BMs will be smaller and less often. That is a good thing. Protein is almost completely used up by your body and there is no poop left! Carbage is so loaded with poopy ingredients that you need to expel more!
  • haldeman5
    haldeman5 Posts: 121 Member
    I mix my greek yogurt with the sugar free preserves with fiber. I get an extra 6-12 grams of fiber everyday. I also drink tons of water, eat lots of veggies and if needed use mirolax. I hope you find something, it took me a few weeks to get myself regulated!
  • martinah4
    martinah4 Posts: 583 Member
    When I feel like that, I make a fiber muffin out of flax seed. Do a search on here for Muffin in a Minute. It's so easy and fast to make, and pretty tasty, too. You can put some cream cheese on it, to flavor it up a bit! Anyway, gets the plumbing going again in less than an hour for me! and only 3 net carbs.
  • shesnotthere
    shesnotthere Posts: 117
    TMI but you generally go less when you eat low carb - so it might not be that you're struggling so much as you just don't need to go. I could go into the reasons but it's really more than anyone needs to know about poo....
  • tiffanyquincey
    tiffanyquincey Posts: 107
    It may sound strange but I've been having the opposite problem. I can't stop going for some reason..
  • suzooz
    suzooz Posts: 720 Member
    For some reason, almonds always help me -- lots of fiber and good fat.
  • LaJauna
    LaJauna Posts: 336 Member
    It may sound strange but I've been having the opposite problem. I can't stop going for some reason..

    I have heard that if you were once a low fat dieter, when you start to increase your fat intake your gallbladder is soooooo happy that is finally has something to work on that it dumps too much bile for a bit until it settles down. Once your body gets used to a higher fat intake it starts to react better and your bowels calm down.
  • _Bro
    _Bro Posts: 437 Member
    I never go low carb for more than two to three days so I don't really have this problem..
    I would suggest considering a day to bump your carbs back up every now and then. Frequency dependent upon your restriction.

    Carbs are anabolic!
  • MissWait
    MissWait Posts: 160
    Muiti Vitamin, Benefibre and lots of water and I don't seem to have a problem, but I do go less now...Probably TMI lol
  • skinniejeans11
    skinniejeans11 Posts: 15 Member
    lol yup totally normal. :tongue:
  • katschi
    katschi Posts: 689 Member
    It took a couple of months for my bowels to adjust but I'm now in a regular routine.
    I experienced too loose stools there for a few weeks and now everything is dandy.

    I don't go as often as before ... anywhere from once per day to every other day.
    I don't experience constipation. I don't have to strain. When its ready, there it is! lol

    I no longer suffer from bloating or excessive gas. That's nearly non-existent these days.
    If I eat too much fruit though ...

    I don't take a fibre supplement. I have slight diverticulitis and excess fibre is the last thing I need.
  • kelseyk14
    kelseyk14 Posts: 95
    You can get plenty of fiber from fruits and veggies!! Which would prob happen naturally if you lower your carbs. :)
  • mexigrl64
    mexigrl64 Posts: 14 Member
    I'm stil in Phase 1 but am giving in and eating cereal in the morning - Kashi Go Lean, but I think the All Bran is better so I'll buy that. I ate it 2 days ago and finally went ;-) Again 2 days and nothing...even with all the Fiber Supplements and the stool softeners. I hate the idea of laxatives, a friend who is a nurse said they can be a nightmare - painful cramps and sudden urges. Has anyone used them?

    Thanks!
  • heatherfrancis
    heatherfrancis Posts: 100
    I add 2 tablespoons of Flaxseed to my food daily. It is the best fiber source out there. Try to find the ground up flaxseeds so your body uses the whole thing. If you eat the whole seeds and dont chew them enough you dont get as many nutrients. It seems to help me :)
  • Sherbare63
    Sherbare63 Posts: 6 Member
    I started taking konjac root fiber supplements that also have the added benefit of expanding in your stomach and making you feel full. It's the same fiber that is in Japanese shiritake noodles and is a Japanese weight loss tool that they have used for years to maintain their weight and glucose levels.
  • deb1130
    deb1130 Posts: 38 Member
    You could try magnesium supplements. It's a main ingredient in some laxatives (Milk of Magnesia for instance), but it's also something we don't get enough of. If you take any calcium supplements or certain other medications, you need more magnesium, for instance.

    AND, it's excellent for sore muscles--Epsom salts is magnsium salts and is absorbed through the skin. Dietary sources are green leafies and whole grains. You should be getting the greens on a low carb diet, but not the whole grains, so it might help. And, mag supplements are usually cheaper than laxatives containing magnesium.

    I'm not a doctor! But, my doctor suggested supplements for chronic muscle spasms and it seems to help.
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