Constipation
 

UGH sorry for the TMI post but I am having a huge problem with constipation since starting this diet. I never had problems like this before and I am so confused. Before I didn't get even 1/4 of the fiber I get now. I didn't drink even 1oz of water a day, and now I drink 100oz a day. I didn't eat ANY fruits or veggies and am now eating at least 4 servings a day. So I don't understand at all why I am NOW having problems like this when I am doing everything right as far as that is concerned. It is really bad.

Anyone else dealing with this? Is it just from the drastic diet change? It has been 3 weeks now you would think my body would be used to it by now right? I really am not a person that likes to take any medication, but if this keeps up I guess I will have to take a med for it. :( Any other ideas?

Do you have problems with dairy? i subconsciously increased my dairy when i started dieting, now I have always had problems with certain dairy, and the increase made it worse
Are you eating a lot of bananas?, those always do me in

Thats what i can think of off the bat

I have struggled with this too. I have found that there are three things that cause this for me, not enough:
fiber,
healthy fat, or
exercise.

I am willing to bet that you need to add some healthy fat. I have found that a little olive oil on salad really helps this problem.

I can totally relate. I was on a regular cycle and when I started dieting it was only a couple of times a week (sorry - TMI). Even with increasing my fiber, still - nothing. I am the same as you, I rather avoid anything that is not natural so I try to incorporate a glass of apple juice (high in sugar but it works) mid-week. I also will have 1 cup of coffee on Sunday's. If your not a regular coffee drinker, this makes a difference. I dont care for the taste but it is more natural than say pills.

I don't get much dairy, maybe a slice of cheese a day, and 1/2 cup skim milk once a week or so, I just don't like it.

I am allergic to bananas so I haven't had any. I hate most fruits/veggies so the only ones I have been eating are grapes, grapefruit, carrots, and cauliflower.

I've had this issue sometimes too. In fact, I've had it so bad that I've had to take meds for it. BUT, the last time I took something, I woke up in the middle of the night feeling like little gremlins were picking away at the lining of my stomach at about 2am. I went to the bathroom, and when I was done I stood up and had one of the worst dizzy spells I can remember. I know I knocked my huge clothes hamper over trying to catch my balance, and I don't remember a lot of what happened after that, only that I did wind up on the floor ( I think I thought I could crawl back to my room ) and I remember sweating, even tho I was not hot or cold. It was scary. Now, I still don't go every day ( which kinda stinks and is uncomfortable ) but not nearly as scary as what I went through last time I took a pill that is sopose to "help" I will put a spoonful of benifiber in my coffee in the am tho sometimes.

are you exercising? that always helps things along for me. a couple of walks a day and some yoga (look up 'yoga for digestion') should help.

I have always had problems with this, but it's just getting worse. I don't have dairy issues at all, I workout regularly, I have been eating lots of fibre, drinking plenty of water and I stopped eating bananas much. I just don't go unless I take a stimulant laxative some weeks, which I only do out of desperation. :-(

In my case it only gets bad if I seriously cut out fats. As long as I'm having some lean meat and not 100% fat free dairy I'm pretty decent but I need a little bit of oil to lubricate the system as it were...

I added a serving of Fiber One original cereal to my day (I weigh it and it's only a few tablespoons of cereal) and 2 Citrucel fiber tablets that are supposed to be easy on your system. It makes all the difference! And I get a lot of fruit and vegetable fiber, but I think it's the lower fat that made it "difficult" after I changed my eating patterns.

My thoughts exactly. I need some fat in my diet or I get bunged up. Having low fat dairy not FF helps me.

Kitty

This seems to be a common problem. I have been taking Probiotics daily, and it seems to be helping somewhat.

I am another vote for healthy fats. Going low-fat, no matter the fiber, water, or exercise, always results in constipation for me. Try working in half an avocado every day - so yummy!

I have to agree with the avocado. A whole one daily does the trick for me.