Sorry but have to ask... BM questions after going Low Carb.
RonneyKay
Posts: 464 Member
So I've been low carb now for about a week:) loving it, finding it fairly easy and everything.
But I am also noticing that I am constipated:( Is this normal? Its not uncomfortable or anything. Just wondering if my body is going through some weird stuff and is just regulated me out?
Any advice on this?? did this happen to anyone else?
But I am also noticing that I am constipated:( Is this normal? Its not uncomfortable or anything. Just wondering if my body is going through some weird stuff and is just regulated me out?
Any advice on this?? did this happen to anyone else?
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Replies
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Eat more greens! Load up on fresh salads made with spinach and other leafy lettuce and try almonds as a snack! The first time I went low carb I had that same issue, but I was not eating enough fiber rich greens. Your plate should be filled. I eat several cups at each meal. And the PLUS is they are vitamin rich!!3
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Constipated is different than having full-thick stools that you can move.
Are you unable to empty your bowels at all? If so, that is constipated.
Full thick stools that you can move, but requiring more effort is not constipated by definition...
The other poster really nailed it on upping your greens, the darker the better.
Also, up your water intake... this will also help with the 'process'3 -
Lots of salads! I have had that problem in the past but I'm on Metformin now for PCOS so that helps get things moving right along.0
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You can also try adding a probiotic. That will help digestion and keep thing "moving".
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hi,
adding protein to your diet should make things easier to flow out not more difficult.
Adding magnesium supplementation will help, as fiber binds and bloats. Focus on adding Magnesium to use as a natural and safe laxative. You can find it in any health food aisle as a liquid supplement.1 -
This is very common. The first week constipation, next week might be very loose. Your body is adjusting to a much healthier food plan. By week three you will be normal.1
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Taking magnesium supplement will help address the issue....or for more speedy relief use magnesium citrate found in a drug store or local grocery! Greens do not always work for everyone!3
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I agree with everyone here so far... excellent advice... Best of luck!!!0
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I've had the opposite problem. I've had to cut back on my Miralax.0
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I was a bit constipated in the beginning, too. Now I eat upwards of 10 Tbsp of Chia seeds a day. Ton of fiber and literally cleans you out 3 times a day, lol.4
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I still celebrate each time I produce a stool instead of my usual butt pee.5
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Stop stop stop
First
Define constipated because I've seen people saying they are constipated just because they aren't going often.
Cobstipation is a blockage or back up that creates a heavy, uncomfortable or painful feeling in the gut.
You go less on keto because you aren't eating junk fillers that serve no other purpose than to create poop! You do not need to ever seek to specifically eat things just to create more poop.
I really think we need a constipation sticky in the launchpad for how often this comes up.
If you are actually and truly, by definition, constipated then I'm willing to bet it's due to low sodium. I.e. Dehydration.
Keto is naturally diuretic and you lose a lot of sodium with the water you lose from glycogen being used up and from flushing out excess ketones. Low carb creates water/sodium loss even without keto levels. Low sodium causes very common symptoms like nausea, dizziness, lightheaded especially upon standing, dry skin and membranes, fatigue and CONSTIPATION.
On keto you need 3000-5000mg a day minimum. Every. Single. Day. Some people need even more than that.
Low carbers generally can aim for the 3000-4000mg range of that scale.
If you aren't getting that much every single day, you're sodium deficient and dehydrated no matter how much water you drink, your body cannot retain it. You need to be able to retain it.
But again, if you have no symptoms of discomfort, then you're probably not constipated. You just make less poop than before.4 -
It appears the original constipated poster made her post back in 2012 and hasn't been here for quite some time but carry on. The conversation may help someone current.1
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Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »Stop stop stop
I really think we need a constipation sticky in the launchpad for how often this comes up.
This! Seconded!2 -
Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »Stop stop stop
I really think we need a constipation sticky in the launchpad for how often this comes up.
This! Seconded!
THIS too, bowel movements really is a LCHF thing... and we talk c r a p a lot here as questions comes up.1 -
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I need so much sodium, I've taken to sprinkling my salt with food.
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Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »Stop stop stop
I really think we need a constipation sticky in the launchpad for how often this comes up.
This! Seconded!
Bwaahahahaa!
I want a constipation sticky, too.
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No one ever read the Electrolytes sticky when it was there. Even if I titled it "POOP PROBLEMS CLICK HERE!!!" Or "POOP PARTY INSIDE!" they still would not read it.4
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baconslave wrote: »No one ever read the Electrolytes sticky when it was there. Even if I titled it "POOP PROBLEMS CLICK HERE!!!" They still would not read it.
So true...1 -
baconslave wrote: »No one ever read the Electrolytes sticky when it was there. Even if I titled it "POOP PROBLEMS CLICK HERE!!!" Or "POOP PARTY INSIDE!" they still would not read it.
Where can I find good electrolyte literature? I just joined this group yesterday and I've been on the keto diet for about 6days and would like to learn more.0 -
baconslave wrote: »No one ever read the Electrolytes sticky when it was there. Even if I titled it "POOP PROBLEMS CLICK HERE!!!" Or "POOP PARTY INSIDE!" they still would not read it.
Where can I find good electrolyte literature? I just joined this group yesterday and I've been on the keto diet for about 6days and would like to learn more.
Go to the top of the page where it say Low Carb Daily Forum and click on it. Look under Announcements. I think there are 5 categories. The best place to start is the last one: "Launch Pad.
I'd do a link but it is best to direct you there so you (and others) can find it again.1 -
baconslave wrote: »No one ever read the Electrolytes sticky when it was there. Even if I titled it "POOP PROBLEMS CLICK HERE!!!" Or "POOP PARTY INSIDE!" they still would not read it.
Where can I find good electrolyte literature? I just joined this group yesterday and I've been on the keto diet for about 6days and would like to learn more.
Go to the top of the page where it say Low Carb Daily Forum and click on it. Look under Announcements. I think there are 5 categories. The best place to start is the last one: "Launch Pad.
I'd do a link but it is best to direct you there so you (and others) can find it again.
It's under "FAQs and General LC Info"
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baconslave wrote: »No one ever read the Electrolytes sticky when it was there. Even if I titled it "POOP PROBLEMS CLICK HERE!!!" Or "POOP PARTY INSIDE!" they still would not read it.
Yes, I they would.1 -
baconslave wrote: »baconslave wrote: »No one ever read the Electrolytes sticky when it was there. Even if I titled it "POOP PROBLEMS CLICK HERE!!!" Or "POOP PARTY INSIDE!" they still would not read it.
Where can I find good electrolyte literature? I just joined this group yesterday and I've been on the keto diet for about 6days and would like to learn more.
Go to the top of the page where it say Low Carb Daily Forum and click on it. Look under Announcements. I think there are 5 categories. The best place to start is the last one: "Launch Pad.
I'd do a link but it is best to direct you there so you (and others) can find it again.
It's under "FAQs and General LC Info"
Oops!0 -
baconslave wrote: »No one ever read the Electrolytes sticky when it was there. Even if I titled it "POOP PROBLEMS CLICK HERE!!!" Or "POOP PARTY INSIDE!" they still would not read it.
I would! Even looked for a poop thread, and with all the *kitten* conversation topics we have here, I am sure I would not be the only one. You just need to clearly label the poop thread appropriately1 -
Thank you for your assistance.1
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baconslave wrote: »No one ever read the Electrolytes sticky when it was there. Even if I titled it "POOP PROBLEMS CLICK HERE!!!" Or "POOP PARTY INSIDE!" they still would not read it.
I would! Even looked for a poop thread, and with all the *kitten* conversation topics we have here, I am sure I would not be the only one. You just need to clearly label the poop thread appropriately
We have plenty of diarrhea threads, which are appropriately named. And the Electrolytes FAQ is appropriately named and has always been. I can't make people click on them. The Electrolytes sticky was up for months and people still did not read it. We can't have 20 stickies up anyway, there would be no room for active posts on the main page. 1-2 clicks to reach a library full of links isn't too terrible a task to expect of anyone.
When I have time to search back for a constipation thread, I'll look for a suitable candidate. It will be in Open Threads when I find one. Open Threads is still a sticky, even though no one ever looks for it. It's right above the Launch Pad which no one notices either.
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baconslave wrote: »baconslave wrote: »No one ever read the Electrolytes sticky when it was there. Even if I titled it "POOP PROBLEMS CLICK HERE!!!" Or "POOP PARTY INSIDE!" they still would not read it.
I would! Even looked for a poop thread, and with all the *kitten* conversation topics we have here, I am sure I would not be the only one. You just need to clearly label the poop thread appropriately
We have plenty of diarrhea threads, which are appropriately named. And the Electrolytes FAQ is appropriately named and has always been. I can't make people click on them. The Electrolytes sticky was up for months and people still did not read it. We can't have 20 stickies up anyway, there would be no room for active posts on the main page. 1-2 clicks to reach a library full of links isn't too terrible a task to expect of anyone.
When I have time to search back for a constipation thread, I'll look for a suitable candidate. It will be in Open Threads when I find one. Open Threads is still a sticky, even though no one ever looks for it. It's right above the Launch Pad which no one notices either.
I use open threads a lot to retrieve links to answer the questions that were right there in open threads....
I recently joined Ketogains Facebook page and they make it very clear that you must read their Stickey in its entirety or risk being kicked out if you break one of the rules. But I remember thinking "OMG!!!!!!! Don't tell me what to read!!!!! I don't wanna read all this!!!!!" Lol
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