I hate to be the one bringing up this topic but I've been really constipated since going vegetarian almost  3 weeks ago. I'm not happy about this b/c I'm feeling really uncomfortable. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Jill,

What type of stuff are you eating? I haven't experienced that, in fact, I am now going 3 times a day with the "super" poop that Alicia likes to talk about.

I'm wondering if an allergy to something you are eating could cause that. Have you decreased fluid intake? Vegies and whole grains should increase output not clog you up. Maybe someone else has experienced it too.

I experienced the same thing last week and then I realized I wasn't eating any grains that week.  It is confusing sometimes to figure what is "doing this" to your body.

I experienced the same thing last week and then I realized I wasn't eating any grains that week.  It is confusing sometimes to figure what is "doing this" to your body.

I experienced the same thing last week and then I realized I wasn't eating any grains that week.  It is confusing sometimes to figure what is "doing this" to your body.

Hi Karen,

 Thanks for replying to my post. It's reall y appreciated.

 As far as fluids all I drink is water. I drink the min of 8 glasses of water a day.

 I've been eating, couscous, wholegrain pasta, gardien "chicken", avocados, fresh tomato sauce, carrots, squash...

 I must be doing something wrong b/c it's been a battle and a strain to go. I mean I feel like I'm giving birth (sorry for being so graphic) and it's dark. I'm a little freaked out.

Jill I'm a new vegan and I have had the same issue. I was really worried too and felt uncomfortably constipated. The first 4 days I didn't go at all and I knew that was bad. However, I'm only at the end of my first week and it's already getting better. I am able to go more easily now, though there's not that much of it. Don't know if that's good or bad, but I figured out that when I made sure I ate a really high fiber cereal (there's some good organic ones) for breakfast and have beans on a more regular basis things are moving better.

Jill, You are not eating very much fiber. Couscous and pasta are refined grains. Try whole grains such as brown rice and quinoa. Beans and Tempeh are high in fiber. Leafy green vegetables and berries. Nuts. Gardien "meats" are made partly from vital wheat gluten that has no fiber. Here is a list of some high fiber foods.
http://www.healthcastle.com/high-fiber-foods.shtml
You mention becoming vegetarian. Are you using dairy? Dairy can be constipating.

I also had this problem for a couple of weeks right after starting. I figured it may have to do with eliminating dairy from my diet b/c I know lots of dairy used to keep things flowing. I don't think this was a very healthy process though. I also think after I started eating foods with lots of nutrients, my body was like "oh, maybe I want to hang on to this for awhile and pull the vitamins out." Silly, but that was my theory.

I think veganali's got it right.  There is a huge difference between how your body processes "white" starches and "brown" or whole grain starches.  This is gross, but when I picked up my dogs from the kennel they had terrible diarrhea.  The vet had me feed them boiled white rice -- it stopped them right up for a couple of days!
Also, the comment you made about it being dark -- reminds me of the first couple of weeks I went vegan (not too long ago) I was in terrible detox -- very moody, constipated, weak achy and tired -- I was stirring up years of poisons that had been stored throughout my body.  Thank goodness that passed.  Exercise helps speed this along -- good luck!