Diet problem - wanting advice

[blahdeblah]

Hi all. Over the past 6 weeks or so i've been on a fairly casual diet. My plan was simple:

• make no major changes to the types of foods i eat (so that i can maintain the diet anywhere)
• except for fruit and vegetables, eat half as much of everything as i normally would
• eat more slowly
• chew thoroughly

The plan has worked a treat - i've lost about 5 kilograms in that time (which is about the right rate as far as i'm concerned), and i haven't really felt hungry more than once or twice.

My problem has been the effect on my digestive tract. My bowel movements are about every 4-5 days (instead of daily like they used to be), and they are very hard, and cause painful bleeding.

Has anyone else experienced this sort of dramatic change due to such a small change of diet? What natural remedies have you tried that have helped? (I've been told prunes and pear juice are good.)

Thanks in advance.

[ken nubo]

Sounds like you need more fiber.

But I'm not a doctor, so what do I know

[SunnKali]

Congrats on the weight loss, but wow - it sounds like something is terribly wrong with your current plan.

The results so far sound dangerous for your bowel health (and painful!) and potentially dangerous to your health in general. More fiber as in whole grains, ground flax, phyllium husk type fibers, nuts, beans, adequate water, even more good oils like olive oil should help. Are you eating fruits like apples? The pectin helps with bowel health. Also, supplements like magnesium and vitamin C can help loosen the bowel.

[Kaspian]

Try more fruits & veggies.

[freshwala]

fibre is the obvius one, but more fruit n veg, less meat specialy red meat if u even eat meat, ur bleeding and ur bowl movements are dodgey thats serius business so u should get that looked at, never know could be cancer, but its most likely an anal fissure as u said its been painfull, but better safe than sorry.
well done on the weight loss still.
peace

[DayInTheLife]

Your plan sounds fine to me.

4-5 days between bowel movements is very odd. If eating more fibre doesn't work, see a doctor.

[Alison Jenkins]

Have you cut your fluid intake? Constipation can occur if you don't have adequate fluids and remember food contains fluid too.

If you are bleeding YOU MUST see your Dr and get this checked out. Your bowel function may have altered for medical reasons and not due to the change in diet. Piles (haemorroids) are the most likely cause of the bleeding but you must get this investigated.

Alison

[blahdeblah]

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions, folks. I hadn't been watching my fluid intake carefully, and i suspect that i've let it slip a little. I'll also try putting my morning cereal intake back to the previous level to see if it makes any difference.

[bf1983]

Yes - get yourself to a doctor.

I am vegan, eat loads of fruit and veggies.

I "go" like 2 - 3 times A DAY!


Brian

[Ali from The Office Diet]

Yes, do make sure you're drinking enough water -- especially if your fiber intake has increased. And check with the doctor too, in case there's a medical cause.

Ali

[Shorebird]

Well you can try these out:

Have 3-4 glasses or more of water first in the morning. That will initiate the bowel movement.

Include something in your diet which has a softening effect. For me, milk or yoghurt serves this purpose.

You should see a doctor if the problem increases.

[gnitratser]

DO ENEMAS! Its so damn easy!
& if you aren't already addicted: a little coffee & lots of water will get it out for you!

"Have 3-4 glasses or more of water first in the morning. That will initiate the bowel movement."
Good idea, it also removes apetite for some people.

Find some good herbs for constipation, & keep gathering knowledge about food & herbs until you have your own pharmacy with nicely effect-classified herbs for any problem. You only need to gather the knowledge once...

& if you even consider changing diet:
Drink only juice in the morning & evening & eat only heavy somewhere in the middle.
It's nothing like fasting for me -- it has the detox symptoms + high energy, but not the hunger & exessive detox problems.
& you can easily keep a balance between detox & energy.

[Uberman]

Hi gnitratser!

You definitely need to consumer more water and more fiber.

Try this meal plan for a day or two, and I GUARANTEE you'll be sh*tting up a storm in no time (and you'll lose weight too).

* 5-6 small meals a day

1. Protein shake with fruit

2. Banana + 1tbs almond butter

3. A sandwich with lean protein, avocado, spinach, and tomato on a whole wheat or sprouted bun/bread. (sprouted bread has lots of fiber!)

4. Handful of nuts

5. Sautee pinto/black beans, firm tofu, spinach, green peppers + (tempeh - optional) in 1tbs of olive oil. Eat it.

Make sure to drink 2-3 liters of water a day.

Do all this and you're going to feel INCREDIBLE.

Have fun!