Low Carb Diet

[ruthandsam]

I decided that I needed to change my food intake to include less carbohydrates and increase lean protein instead. All is going well and I feel already so much better as I don't have that tired slump after lunch. I feel full after a meal as well.

My intake of green veg has increased as I'm eating a homemade soup and having a salad for lunch instead of pasta, pesto and meat, etc. I was advised by the trainer at the gym that this is the sort of diet that would best suit my needs and I'm looking forward to the results.

Question is, I haven't been to the loo for 4 days and I thought this would increase rather than decrease. Therefore, can you point me in the right direction of what I'm doing wrong?

On a typical day I would eat for breakfast, small bowl of bran with fruit, lunch as above and protein / veg evening meal. Many thanks in advance!

[woofgang]

If you are going to eat somuch bran, you need to MASSIVELY increase your liquid intake. Bran absorbs liquid...loads and loads of liquid. if you eat loads of bran and not loads of liquid, it sets like concrete in your bowel.

[Infomaniac]

If you are already taking at least 3 tbs of bran a day, are you drinking enough fluids?

[Craftypig]

That seems like a long time to be "backed up", might be worth a trip to the doc's?

[237SJ]

Personally, by increasing your veg and fruit I would think you are getting more liquid rather than less. A change of diet can affect your bowel workings though and it might take a little bit of time for your insides to get used to the new diet. Have you always belonged to the gym or is it a new thing? The increase in exercise could be dehydrating you.

[woofgang]

fruit and veg has enough water in it for its own digestion but, unless its mega juicy (melon, mango, cucumber and so on) it won't add enough to help with the bran.

[hammerman]

Try mixing a few spoonfulls of linseeds with your dinner...that'll get things moving again.

[TopKat]

Having been on a low carb diet myself for ages (first to lose weight and now to maintain weight loss and for my health) I can sympathise with your problem. I used to get constipated at first too - I think it's just while your body gets used to the change in diet. My solution was to take a couple of senokot tablets, once a week for a while. This got me going and, over time, the problem solved itself. You could also try adding bran to meals or three tablespoons of linseeds per day (this is cheapest bought from Tesco's NOT health food shops!). Stick with the diet and the problem will resolve - and you'll lose weight! Just make sure you're eating enough fat - lots of protein with too little fat can make you unwell.

[auntiebertie]

If you are on P2T you should be taking Psyllium Husks which you get in H&B.

[bushbaby_de]

I've recently increased fibre and had similar problems but have started drinking Fibogel drinks, which really help. One after breakfast and one just before bed. I ask Boots to order it in bulk for me to make it cheaper.

[ruthandsam]

Oooo - many thanks for your responses I really do appreciate them. Still waiting but managed to keep on track with the low carb diet. I really think I need to increase my water intake as I just drink copious amounts of tea. I have bran for breakfast and again today homemade veg soup and prawn salad followed by blueberries and yoghurt. Can't believe it's 6+ days now since I've been but I don't feel ill with it. I might resort to some chocky and if nothing happens I'll go for the Fybrogel. Better get some exercise as well! Thanks again........................x

[bushbaby_de]

Just to clarify, the Fibogel isn't a laxative - its a pysllium husk based fibre drink that generally helps your digestive system, with the happy coincidence that it makes things regular! So it doesn't need to be a last resort - I actually drink it every day.

Doing exercise will definitely help too.

Good luck, hope you feel better soon.