Why doth the body protest a healthy diet so much?

I spent pretty much my entire adult life living off mostly processed foods...frozen food, lunch meat, barely any fiber, things like that. About three weeks ago I decided to change....I started buying fresh produce, started cutting out processed foods, began eating fruits and veggies to get fiber. After all, I keep hearing about how GREAT healthy eating is supposed to make you feel...

Well...so far...WRONG.

My body has been almost nonstop throwing a fit. Abdominal cramping every day, bowel movements that I can't even come close to predicting as to how often or what will come out of me, and don't even get me started on the stress.

Did I do something wrong? I was always told 'eat healthy, your body will thank you!' But it honestly feels like my body is actively punishing me. >.<

Replies

  • Perriwen
    Perriwen Posts: 32 Member
    you've probably massively increased your fibre consumption since actually eating fruit and veg... your body isn't used to it.

    Well....there is that. I was finding out on most normal days on my old diet I was getting maybe 6 or 7 grams. I bumped it up to about 14 on some good days...then on Friday I ate 28g according to the diet tracker.

    Apparently that was a fairly stupid move.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Perriwen wrote: »
    you've probably massively increased your fibre consumption since actually eating fruit and veg... your body isn't used to it.

    Well....there is that. I was finding out on most normal days on my old diet I was getting maybe 6 or 7 grams. I bumped it up to about 14 on some good days...then on Friday I ate 28g according to the diet tracker.

    Apparently that was a fairly stupid move.

    maybe go back to a half and half old/new diet and then increase the veg more slowly?
  • Perriwen
    Perriwen Posts: 32 Member
    Perriwen wrote: »
    you've probably massively increased your fibre consumption since actually eating fruit and veg... your body isn't used to it.

    Well....there is that. I was finding out on most normal days on my old diet I was getting maybe 6 or 7 grams. I bumped it up to about 14 on some good days...then on Friday I ate 28g according to the diet tracker.

    Apparently that was a fairly stupid move.

    maybe go back to a half and half old/new diet and then increase the veg more slowly?

    I was thinking of trying that. I still have a crap ton of frozen stuff in the freezer that I need to gradually get rid of.
  • missysippy930
    missysippy930 Posts: 2,577 Member
    edited August 2018
    As others said, gradually increase your fiber consumption. Your body will become accustomed to the change.

    BTW you just need to eat less calories than your body burns in order to lose weight. Eating “healthy” is a matter of perspective.
    The recommended daily servings of fruit is 2, veggies 3. Your body should get used to that very quickly, it’s not really excessive. Pay attention to serving sizes.
  • NovusDies
    NovusDies Posts: 8,940 Member
    Fiber is most likely the main cause but remember that digestively our bodies can get accustomed to certain eating patterns. For instance, former vegetarians can get really sick if they jump too fast back into the meat pool. It is best to avoid abrupt changes of any kind.

    It is also not a good idea from a lifestyle perspective. If you have gotten by mainly on pre-prepared foods you may find it exhausting to maintain eating only fresh ingredients if there is no transition period. Learning all the tips and tricks to cut down on repetition and daily cook time is important if you have a busy life.

    I'd also advise against the all-or-nothing attitude towards packaged foods. There seems to be this nonsense trend lately that if you don't eat the very best foods for you at every meal/snack you are missing out on the greatest health you can experience. Just about everything in your freezer that is not ice still has nutritional value. It may not be as high as fresh food but that doesn't mean it doesn't help supply some of what your body needs to be healthy.
  • Perriwen
    Perriwen Posts: 32 Member
    Thanks for the feedback! I'll definitely try to be more gradual, instead of trying to push myself to get as much fiber as I can within a day.