how can i eat lots of fruit and veg without pooing all the time
trulyhealy
Posts: 242 Member
sorry for the 2 questions in the row but badiakkt i’m trying to be healthy and i want to eat lots of fruit and veg abs make it a priority within my diet alongside protein but how does a person eat a lot of fruit and veg without *kitten* all of the time?
i know this is tmi but will the body eventually get used to it 😭😭
i know this is tmi but will the body eventually get used to it 😭😭
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Replies
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There is no way. If you are eating a lot of veggies it is a lot of indigestible material and fiber that makes up the bulk.5
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But you may need to gradually increase fibre if you are not used to it5
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Much will depend on what type of fruit and veg. For instance potatoes and bananas don't have the problem you're asking about. If you mix them in with your other fruits and veggies, you can experiment and see if it helps.5
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paperpudding wrote: »But you may need to gradually increase fibre if you are not used to it
I agree with this. It might also mean adjusting expectations. It's possible that how it went for you before was not actually that great either, but you were just used to that.
Drinking enough water and having sufficient fat in your diet should make things come out easily, to be blunt. It shouldn't be difficult, or painful, or take a long time.6 -
penguinmama87 wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »But you may need to gradually increase fibre if you are not used to it
I agree with this. It might also mean adjusting expectations. It's possible that how it went for you before was not actually that great either, but you were just used to that.
Drinking enough water and having sufficient fat in your diet should make things come out easily, to be blunt. It shouldn't be difficult, or painful, or take a long time.
I thought that the OP had the opposite problem--in the bathroom all the time.2 -
snowflake954 wrote: »penguinmama87 wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »But you may need to gradually increase fibre if you are not used to it
I agree with this. It might also mean adjusting expectations. It's possible that how it went for you before was not actually that great either, but you were just used to that.
Drinking enough water and having sufficient fat in your diet should make things come out easily, to be blunt. It shouldn't be difficult, or painful, or take a long time.
I thought that the OP had the opposite problem--in the bathroom all the time.
Right, but to be frank, I wasn't sure if the problem was diarrhea or not. A lot of posters come here after drastically increasing fiber intake and it can resemble constipation more, because you've got a lot of increased bulk but not enough to help it pass easily. You can be in the bathroom "all the time" but it doesn't necessarily mean there's "production" all that time, if that makes sense. Even if you're stopping in the bathroom several times per day, it shouldn't be a lengthy process.
Maybe for a "TMI" post we actually don't have enough "I"!7 -
it’s not really diahoerrea but kind of in between that and a normal poop like u went 4 times in the past 24 hours1
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You're going to have to be open to experimenting with what your body likes 🤷🏿♀️
There are clinical benefits for women having 25 to upwards of 40 grams of fiber daily. Some people in MFP have more, because that's what works for them.
Perhaps get used to hitting the lower end of the range (25 grams) while having the number of bowel movements you're used to (or at least reducing the current number). I go once a day because that's normal for me. Normal is a different frequency for everyone.
That said, if you can't get that under control by mid-month, you may want to check in with your family doctor. Show them your MFP food logs, explain your goals and your results to date. They'll get you sorted.3 -
Any sudden dietary changes can have unwelcome results but should settle down over a week or two. If they don't then it may be a medical issue.
I eat a lot of fruit and veg and poop once a day in the morning. Very occasionally (once a month) I might go again in the afternoon.
By "a lot" I mean:
a salad of mixed salad and raw veggies at lunch time. The salad typically at least half fills up a bowl the size of a 3 pint pudding basin. Today's consisted of 1 bell pepper, 8 cherry tomatoes, 1 large courgette, 2 inch lump of cucumber, 100g bunch of asparagus, 5 sticks of celery.
At tea time I have yogurt with a handful of mixed berries and 2 other items of fruit (say an apple and some chopped melon)
At dinner I will have some veggies with my main meal.3 -
paperpudding wrote: »But you may need to gradually increase fibre if you are not used to it
Yes, but if OP is "pooing all the time" from eating more fruits and veg, it doesn't sound like the potential effects* of increasing fiber too quickly are a problem in this instance.
ETA: *I mean constipation -- sorry for being coy about it.0 -
penguinmama87 wrote: »snowflake954 wrote: »penguinmama87 wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »But you may need to gradually increase fibre if you are not used to it
I agree with this. It might also mean adjusting expectations. It's possible that how it went for you before was not actually that great either, but you were just used to that.
Drinking enough water and having sufficient fat in your diet should make things come out easily, to be blunt. It shouldn't be difficult, or painful, or take a long time.
I thought that the OP had the opposite problem--in the bathroom all the time.
Right, but to be frank, I wasn't sure if the problem was diarrhea or not. A lot of posters come here after drastically increasing fiber intake and it can resemble constipation more, because you've got a lot of increased bulk but not enough to help it pass easily. You can be in the bathroom "all the time" but it doesn't necessarily mean there's "production" all that time, if that makes sense. Even if you're stopping in the bathroom several times per day, it shouldn't be a lengthy process.
Maybe for a "TMI" post we actually don't have enough "I"!
I didn't take it as diarrhea or constipation -- just having more bowel movements than OP was used to on a lower-fiber diet. When I eat a largely plant-based diet, I have a bowel movement pretty much every time I visit the toilet, which might be alarming to someone coming from a very low fiber diet and possibly only having a bowel movement every second or third day.5 -
You're going to have to be open to experimenting with what your body likes 🤷🏿♀️
There are clinical benefits for women having 25 to upwards of 40 grams of fiber daily. Some people in MFP have more, because that's what works for them.
Perhaps get used to hitting the lower end of the range (25 grams) while having the number of bowel movements you're used to (or at least reducing the current number). I go once a day because that's normal for me. Normal is a different frequency for everyone.
That said, if you can't get that under control by mid-month, you may want to check in with your family doctor. Show them your MFP food logs, explain your goals and your results to date. They'll get you sorted.
While I would never discourage someone from seeing a doctor if they have concerns about their body, I wouldn't suggest that, objectively speaking, having four bowel movements a day is a medical problem.3 -
lynn_glenmont wrote: »You're going to have to be open to experimenting with what your body likes 🤷🏿♀️
There are clinical benefits for women having 25 to upwards of 40 grams of fiber daily. Some people in MFP have more, because that's what works for them.
Perhaps get used to hitting the lower end of the range (25 grams) while having the number of bowel movements you're used to (or at least reducing the current number). I go once a day because that's normal for me. Normal is a different frequency for everyone.
That said, if you can't get that under control by mid-month, you may want to check in with your family doctor. Show them your MFP food logs, explain your goals and your results to date. They'll get you sorted.
While I would never discourage someone from seeing a doctor if they have concerns about their body, I wouldn't suggest that, objectively speaking, having four bowel movements a day is a medical problem.
Nor did I say - or imply - that it was one. A healthcare team is also helpful for proactive (as opposed to just reactive or acute) issues and questions.1 -
Give me lots of poops over constipation any day! We take out buttholes for granted.... until they decide to go on strike......
**edit** maybe this is how we are supposed to poop. Most Westerners are eat far too little fiber and have BM's that are always hard or runny. We have a medium gut. We have room for plant fibers to digest.6 -
I have 2 large bowel movements every day because of all the fiber I eat (100g+). Been this way for years and years. If you eat a lot of fiber you will have more BM, but once your body adjusts they will become regular.3
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trulyhealy wrote: »it’s not really diahoerrea but kind of in between that and a normal poop like u went 4 times in the past 24 hours
That's normal for me has been for years. I don't see it as a problem and, as others have said, prefer this to the opposite any day1 -
trulyhealy wrote: »it’s not really diahoerrea but kind of in between that and a normal poop like u went 4 times in the past 24 hours
I think it's just a case of adjusting expectations, then. I don't typically go that many times in a day, but it does sometimes happen. As long as each bathroom visit is not difficult or painful, I wouldn't worry about it. It's not wrong, just different.0 -
I contemplated posting this before, but decided not to get graphically TMI-ish. Now that people are coyly semi-describing semi-unclearly, this is the classic Bristol Stool Chart:
That's about consistency/texture of the stool. Frequency is another issue. I'm currently seeing a pelvic floor physical therapy specialist (for another issue, but bowel movements are part of the assessment: I had to do a BM diary, basically, with times & types!). She said up to twice a day is probably normal/optimal, less frequent (including less frequently than optimal) is much more common, but what matters more is consistency/texture as per the chart (which will usually affect frequency).
Since I'm deep into TMI here, the usual advice I've received (from this PT and other medical specialists (doctors including urologists)) is to gently resist urinary frequency (in women, at least; i.e., don't go "just because" or at first twinge), but unless logistically essential, don't resist/hold BMs (go when you first feel the urge).6 -
This is the basic plan for a week I wrote for a guy who was trying to "lean up". I had to transcribe it to MFp, because I had it saved in PDF form. He was a 220lbs, 5'9" ,semi active, 28 y.o. male. Fiber was high for him. He told me the first 2 weeks he went like crazy. Then after a few weeks, he started pooping 2 times a day. I asked him if they were watery or super hard. His response, "they came out like butter" they were so smooth. He he......
1
Black Beans, 0.5 cup 110 19 1 7 7 0
Lucini olive oil - Olive Oil, 0.67 tbsp 80 0 9 0 0 1
Veggies: Beans (Green Frozen) - Green Beans (Frozen), 3 cup (85g) 105 15 0 3 8 0
365 Organic - Quinoa Dried, 0.25 cup 160 29 3 6 3 0
Usda - Chicken Breast Usda Skinless Boneless, 6 ounce 204 0 4 38 0 0
Add Food Quick Tools 659 of 524 63 17 54 18 1
2
Fage - Greek Yogurt, Fat Free, 283.75 grams 150 9 0 29 0 0
Strawberries - Fresh, Usda (Grams), 300 g (1c halves/8.4 berries 1.375" diam) 97 23 1 2 6 0
Youngs Pecans - Pecans, 0.19 cup(30g) 158 3 16 2 2 2
Add Food Quick Tools 405 of 524 35 17 33 8 2
3
Apple Medium - Apple Medium, 2 medium apple 160 34 0 0 10 0
Wisconsin String Cheese - String Cheese, 2 each 140 2 10 10 0 6
Add Food Quick Tools 300 of 524 36 10 10 10 6
4
Unico - Chick Peas, 1/2 cup 125ml 170 29 2 10 8 0
Great Value - Onion and Pepper Blend, 2 cup (85g) 40 8 0 2 2 0
pork loin roast - pork loin roast, 4 oz 140 0 11 23 0 4
Brown rice - Brown Whole Grain Rice, 0.75 cup 113 24 1 2 1 0
Oil - Sesame, 1 tsp 40 0 5 0 0 1
Essential Every Day - Broccoli Florets - Frozen Broccoli Florets, 3 CUP 90 12 0 3 6 0
Add Food Quick Tools 593 of 524 73 19 40 17 5
5
Steel oats - Steel Oats, 0.25 cup 150 27 3 5 4 1
Better'n Eggs - Eggs, 4 ounce 62 0 0 12 0 0
Fresh Fruit Blue Berries - Blue Berries, 1 cup 70 17 1 1 4 0
Nice eggs - Eggs, 2.25 egg (50g) 158 0 11 14 0 3
Usda - Red Bell Pepper, Raw, 59.5 g (1 medium) 19 4 0 1 1 0
Tomatoes - Fresh, Usda, 4 ounce 19 4 0 1 1 0
Add Food Quick Tools 478 of 524 52 15 34 10 4
Extra!
Add Food Quick Tools 0 of 462
Totals 2,435 259 78 171 63 183 -
Nor did I say - or imply - that it was one. A healthcare team is also helpful for proactive (as opposed to just reactive or acute) issues and questions.
You are right, of course. But the OP is in the UK, I believe, and my experience of healthcare here is that (unless you are in a position to pay for it privately) you are lucky to get an appointment for something reactive/acute. Proactive care does not exist here.
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SnifterPug wrote: »
Nor did I say - or imply - that it was one. A healthcare team is also helpful for proactive (as opposed to just reactive or acute) issues and questions.
You are right, of course. But the OP is in the UK, I believe, and my experience of healthcare here is that (unless you are in a position to pay for it privately) you are lucky to get an appointment for something reactive/acute. Proactive care does not exist here.
@lynn_glenmont and I were saying, essentially, the same thing so there's no disagreement. I was clarifying my POV though.
That said, @SnifterPug, for an industrialized country to overlook proactive approaches to quality of life seems odd and extremely counterintuitive. Yet, "anticipatory care" does seem to be a new NHS initiative. Google says this page was added a day ago 😱
Thank you for the cultural insight and reality.2 -
Eat normal portions of fruits, veggies, beans, whole grains and you will be just fine. In the beginning, people overeat. Once you adapt to eating this way, you can gradually cut down portion sizes, keep losing weight, and returning to a reasonable bathroom routine. All the fiber seems to help your stomach give you accurate "full' sensations as you eat and your blood sugar is steady (with occasional lapses like the vegan oatmeal cookies we devoured yesterday) and you don't get the "I ate some cake, now I am hungry again 30 minutes later so time for more cake" reaction.
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trulyhealy wrote: »it’s not really diahoerrea but kind of in between that and a normal poop like u went 4 times in the past 24 hours
It's normal/optimal to go 3 times a day if it's solid and well-formed. Most of us just don't because we aren't eliminating properly.3 -
SnifterPug wrote: »
Nor did I say - or imply - that it was one. A healthcare team is also helpful for proactive (as opposed to just reactive or acute) issues and questions.
You are right, of course. But the OP is in the UK, I believe, and my experience of healthcare here is that (unless you are in a position to pay for it privately) you are lucky to get an appointment for something reactive/acute. Proactive care does not exist here.
I'm sorry but I don't think this is correct. I have seen adverts before and during the pandemic encouraging people to visit their GP if they notice changes in their poo, or blood in wee or a persistent cough, or a lump or sore -the list goes on. There have been articles in newspapers and on the BBC saying the NHS is "open for business" and encouraging people to contact their GP if they have any worries. I think it was even mentioned by the Prime Minister and experts during one or more of the press conferences.
On a personal note, I experienced the symptoms of a possible gynaecological cancer about 12 months ago. I contacted my GP and had a scan and biopsy in just over 1 week. It was fantastic service and I can't believe it could possibly have been quicker, no matter how much money I could have spent. I thank God it was a false alarm.
The NHS has plenty of detractors (I can only assume they are upset they can't make a profit from other peoples illnesses) and like all human organisations, it makes mistakes. However, it is dangerous to tell people there is no point in contacting their GP if they have a worrying symptom because they will not be seen. It is untrue and against all the advice we have received from the NHS13 -
Fatgonegirl wrote: »SnifterPug wrote: »
Nor did I say - or imply - that it was one. A healthcare team is also helpful for proactive (as opposed to just reactive or acute) issues and questions.
You are right, of course. But the OP is in the UK, I believe, and my experience of healthcare here is that (unless you are in a position to pay for it privately) you are lucky to get an appointment for something reactive/acute. Proactive care does not exist here.
I'm sorry but I don't think this is correct. I have seen adverts before and during the pandemic encouraging people to visit their GP if they notice changes in their poo, or blood in wee or a persistent cough, or a lump or sore -the list goes on. There have been articles in newspapers and on the BBC saying the NHS is "open for business" and encouraging people to contact their GP if they have any worries. I think it was even mentioned by the Prime Minister and experts during one or more of the press conferences.
On a personal note, I experienced the symptoms of a possible gynaecological cancer about 12 months ago. I contacted my GP and had a scan and biopsy in just over 1 week. It was fantastic service and I can't believe it could possibly have been quicker, no matter how much money I could have spent. I thank God it was a false alarm.
The NHS has plenty of detractors (I can only assume they are upset they can't make a profit from other peoples illnesses) and like all human organisations, it makes mistakes. However, it is dangerous to tell people there is no point in contacting their GP if they have a worrying symptom because they will not be seen. It is untrue and against all the advice we have received from the NHS
I don't believe I told anyone there is no point in contacting the GP if you have a worrying symptom. I was addressing the poster who suggested a health team could provide proactive care in order to point out that this is not the general policy of the NHS.
The NHS and government can advertise all it likes, but I have heard countless stories of people who are simply unable to get a GP appointment. I myself had to go private in the end because my GP ignored/refused all my requests to address a lung condition during a pandemic which - er - is known to attack the lungs. I even wrote a letter to the surgery in desperation. Said letter was returned the following day with a covering letter telling me their surgery policy is not to read any letters from patients. Getting an answer to a phone call was about as frequent as getting a lottery win (and even then you would be promised a call back that never came), they don't publish an email address and their door was locked for most of the pandemic. Now at least, if you travel to the surgery and queue outside the window to reception, you can eventually speak to a receptionist while standing in the street.
This is not the thread on which to continue this discussion, but all I can say is that your experience is not that of many. That said, I am very glad that you got seen quickly and even more glad that it was a false alarm.
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Try focusing on fruits and veggies that have a lot of water but not a lot of fiber at first: tomato, cucumber, peppers, melons, berries, etc. Slowly increase amounts and diversify.0
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