Well, I recently began the shift towards a more plant oriented diet. Now my stomach is acting up and it's like someone stuck a blasting cap up my ass. I used to eat a lot of meat and carbs but now I'm going for that whole quasi-vegan thing with fresh greens and stuff, but it's like my body is going through withdrawls or something. Is this normal? On a side-note, I've got a significantly noticable amount of energy, my heartburn problem has suprisingly vanished (I used to constantly have to take antacids) and I'm feeling more alert, (colors are even brighter, and I have to wear sunglasses outside because light kinda hurts my eyes now) but those trips to the bowl are what's freaking me out. Anyone here know what the heck is going on? Sorry if this sounds like a disgusting first post, but I joined primarily to find out if this sort of thing happens often.
Yes, this is normal. You have made major changes to your diet, and your body needs time to adjust. You are most likely eating more gassy foods than before (broccoli, beans, cucumbers, soy), which would account for your tummy acting up, and as far as the frequent need to use the toilet is concerned, you are probably eating WAY more fiber. This should also calm down somewhat in time. Also, if you're going to eat a primarily Vegan diet, you are probably going to go more often. This freaks a lot of new Vegans out because they didn't realize that they were chronically constipated before. Congratulations on the positives to your new diet. If you don't start to see things normalizing, then see your doctor.
well the heartburn was prolly due to all that rotting flesh you used to have in yer belly. May I suggest taking iron suplements, still eating carbs, and upping the amount of colour in what you eat... dont JUST stick to greens
are you eating tofu or mock meats? I had the same scenario happen to me when I began to eat tofu and mock meats... after about a few weeks, my body adjusted quickly and it became a lot less frequent and eventually i was back to a normal "digestion" schedule, lol its totally normal when changing your diet like that.... give it some time, and it will probably subside. Also remember that vegetables and fruits are easier for your body to digest than meat is, so you're going to notice changes ...you'll probably go more often and it will be easier to do so as well... by the way, it's not gross. everyone shits!
Thanks a lot you guys, I actually feel better now that I know that this sort of thing is to be expected. Let me give you the run down. For about three years now, I've had the most horrible heartburn. I just chalked it up to my stress on the job, but I was buying the big jar of antacids and even taking the more expensive stuff on a regular basis. A few months ago, I bought a house which used to belong to an elderly couple who turned the backyard into an orchard. She even had the remnants of a vegetable garden (Swiss Chard everywhere) and I decided to carry on the tradition after I bought the place. Well, as fate would have it, I picked up a bunch of seeds and planted stuff and it grew. I suddenly found myself eating a lot more of the healthy stuff instead of the other crap I used to eat. It actually tasted good---unlike the supermarket stuff (especially the tomatoes) which tasted like plastic cardboard. I'd actually forgotten how good home grown tomatoes were. So for a few weeks now, I've been drinking fresh carrot juice, fresh apple juice and eating the stuff that was growing around the place. Then I noticed that my heartburn was gone... And it was like when I went to the john, my body was (for lack of a genteel term) rapidly expunging itself. So naturally I got a bit worried thinking that perhaps what was causing the heartburn had simply moved "lower." But since this sort of thing often happens, I'll just wait for the "detoxification?" process to take it's course. It's hard to believe that the cure for my horrible heartburn problem was as simple as switching my diet to a more vegetarian board of faire. I mean, seriously... I'd tried everything. I was about to get a rather expensive prescription medicine when I just literally stumbled upon the cure in the form of some fruit trees and a garden. Wow... I'm just in shock here.
me same thing i havent eaten meat now in two weeks, i've gained weight though wtf? my period was late, i'm crapping a lot and i want to eat all the time, it sucks. i don't think i can stay veggie.
I dunno what wisdom I can offer(I''ve felt better since going veggie), but I wanted to say that, token carnivore, your garden sounds beautiful! I only have some wimpy herbs, and I still can't seem to remember to water them! Maybe your body's just not used to the fibre?
hmmm yeah definatley sound like your bodies detoxifying, almost like youve been fasting. what you described definatley sounds like some signs of someone on a fast, and going straight into a fresh live food diet would probably be similar to a fast, witholding something from the body thats its reallllly accustomed to recieving, i.e being ignored and jammed with processed and cooked junk foods... the way i see it, diet is constant evolution because your constantly learning and changing it and information is constantly changing too as are your food sources, so what i'd do is introduce some healthy cooked or processed foods back into you as to not totally shock and funk your body up, unless your really dedicated to eating really right and really dig on the raw foods diet and feel like your body can handle that dramatic jump. some people swear by raw foods diets and they have even cured cancer beforre with it and overcame a huge number of health problems and changed the way they feel totally just by eating right. but they take a little more work than just vegetarianism or veganism, which are childs play in comparison. and it probably isnt too healthy to jump riiight into raw foods from being a meat eater. thats perfectly normal though, your body is just getting read of all its toxic and dead and useless cells, its fun isnt it? i love fasting, its almost like tripping, the mind body connection is really a fascinating thing, i find it to be anyway..
That's why a lot of experts recommend easing into a diet change, with any diet change, becoming veggie, switching to a raw food diet, they always say to ease into it because your body has to react to the changes, the more of a rapid change you throw at it, the more of a harsh reaction its gonna throw at you, it is going through a detoxification and in order to do that it has to respond to what is going on, you will become more aware of your body and you won't be bothered by your shits after a while, you may be shitting a bit more than you would when your body has settled into your new lifestyle and when it settles in all the new 'side effects' will be good ones. You can do it guys! But if its too much for you ease into, throw in some carbs, maybe some fish(lots of people transition into veggie-ism with fish) if you're only eating greens throw in some beans and fruits and grains. Don't be alarmed expect your body to react to the changes, it has reacted to your diet since you were born you were just not as aware because you ate the same way for so long. Good luck to you guys!
any change will knock a period l;ate. Just keep track on it. The crapping is what we are SUPPOSED to do! Hungry a lot? add some fats (excuse for ONE slice of cheesecake) Gained weight? what are you eating? empty carbs: white flour, white rice, pasta that isn't whole grain? Hit up Magnolia's in S Austin and treat yourself!
Most carnivores, and even many non-veganvegitarians, are chronically constipated without knowing it. Seriously, taking a dump two or three times a day is what a non constipated person is supposed to do. When I first switched vegitarian my period was all messed up for the first two months two. Most major diet changes will screw with your normal cycle for a few months. In terms of weight gain and being hungry, are you getting enough protein? Try eating fake meats and lots of soy. Eat lots of veggies and fruits, and try to avoid junk food as well as bleached out rice and flour. If you're craving carbs try brown rice or somthing whole grain. If you try all that and are still having problems, contact a nutritionist. Also, try to do some reading up on vegitarianism. Learn what supplements you should take. Find some exotic meat-free dishes and try them. Explore local healthfood/vegitarian stores and talk to the employees there(seriously, the employees at such stores can be super helpful!).
slightly off topic, but i dont remember the changes i went through when i went veg cause it was wy too long ago (18-22 years ago i think) but i do remember whhat i went through when me & a freind decided to go on a strictly orange diet for 2 months the most noticable change was energy energy energy we couldn't simply walk anywhere..we bounced..& skipped & litteraly with every step we'd bounce 2-3 feet into the air..we must have looked rediculouse, but it sure felt good after the first 2 weeks however we did get the shits you get around day 8-9 of a long fast so we started suplementing the diet with a plate of brown rice & steamed veggies every friday & that was enough to regulate things to a tolerable state my point is when you make a drastic diet change, making just a small adjustment can maked a big difference, adding a veggie burger or some tofu somee whole grain breads, nuts, or brown rice may help you adjust quicker (p.s. i'm not sure i would recomend astricktly orange diet, sure we felt incredible, but we probably wern't givingh our bodies all we should have, it was really just an experimental thing)
The period thing's normal. A change in diet can cause a gap in menstrual cycles, happened to me for about a half a year. But now it's gone, and adjusted itself. You may need some magnesium for your cramps, as well as iron. How about eating very fatty foods? They stuff you up better than carb. foods. Also protein, do you have your protein? (you need about 0.8 grams of protein for every KG you weigh) If not, good sources are: legumes, mushrooms ( portabellos consist of about 30% protein, you eat one average portabello head, 80 g, and you'll get about 17-25 grams of protein. Stunned eh? it's got lot's of iron too.), grains (you'll be shocked to see how much protein those spaghetti have), milk/eggs ( if you're ovo-lacto ), and mock meats. I hope this is of help to you.
