dieting/losing weight causes constipation?
 

Hi--

This is just in response to an earlier rant I had about constipation & weight loss.

Do people in general (minus health problems) experience constipation on occasion when losing massive amounts of weight? (Particularly if they were morbidly obese to begin with?)

I've never heard of that possibility until recently.

Thanks!

Hi! From my own experiences, and from other posts on 3FC, it is not uncommon to experience some constipation on some food plans. Low-carb plans such as Atkins are especially prone to cause this at first.

Prunes, dried apricots, or a fiber supplement can help with this, but that last one should be introduced slowly. Eating more fiber in fresh fruits and vegetables can also help.

Jay

I am frequently constipated during weight loss. I think it is not only reduction in bulk and changes in diet, but also reduction in a lot of fats and oils.

It does get better, at least it did for me.

This is going to depend completely on what your diet is like. Some people are going to have problems, and others are not. People who eat a lot of fruit, veggies, whole grains, and water in their diets are going to have LESS problems in that area.

Now...something else to consider. If you are now eating LESS...then less is going to come out. :D So, because you are most likely taking less food in...your frequency is going to change. THIS is normal, too.

Tell me again what medications you're taking? Iron? ....

Can't help it ... I'm a nurse ...

Oh my goodness, I have the same problem. I take a Centrum multi-vitamin. But wow, some mornings I feel like I'm squeezing out a brick. Damn...

My changes have included focusing on eating far more whole grains, fruits and vegetables & far less fat. Protein is about the same - but spread out in small servings & more lean meats.

I have always been regular & now I'm regular 2-3 times a day (sorry if that is TMI!!).

So I do think it would depend on the foods you include in your healthy eating plans.

:strong: ~ Strong

I think it definitely depends on the foods you eat and the plan you're on. It hasn't been a problem for me at all during the course of my weight loss. But I know some people do suffer with it.

.

I agree. I use to think dieting made me less regular, but now I realize it is what you eat. Eating more whole healthy foods REALLY helps! Also eat some beans :)

After I lost weight, I developed IBS. So I developed constipation problems. But I don't think I can blame the weight loss on that though.

My experience with this: I ended up at emergency one afternoon, I had horrible pain that had me doubled over and unable to walk. Turned out I had upped my fiber too rapidly and was incredibly blocked. The pain was horrific....well, not as bad as childbirth, but it was up there :) Definately take it slow if you decide to up your fiber.

Hi. I eat a low-er carb diet. ---- I have NEVER been more regular.

I have read constipation is expected and othertimes experienced great constipation with weight loss and/or higher protein/lower carb eating. :shrug:

But, I'm not complaining! :D :cp:

Well, I think everyone, regardless of weight or losing, experiences "constipation on occasion." It would be hard to pin down the reason.

I am more regular than I have ever been in my life. I eat lots of fiber foods like cabbage, apples, broccoli and beans. Before I started my healthy diet, I had chronic diarrhea. It is wonderful to have daily formed perfect poop. ;)

I have awful issues with not even being constipated but literally not needing to go for weeks at a time. Ridiculous!