New semi-vegetarian has some bathroom questions.

[JacobMcNally]

Apologies in advance about the subject matter of this thread.

Hey all. I hate to bring this up because I saw that it popped up a few times in the past, but none that have addressed my particular situation. I will attempt to be concise while giving enough background on myself and my current situation.
I am a 30 year old male, 5’11”, 163 lbs. I exercise and run regularly, and I’ve been a flex-vegetarian for about a month now. If I’m at work and we’re cooking a dinner that involves meat, and I don’t have something that I brought from home; I’ll occasionally have a small portion… mostly for appearance as firefighters can be brutal to each other (in a strange, loving way).
I was feeling great for a while and had no problems, but lately bowel movements have become somewhat difficult. They tend to be accompanied by abdominal pain, nausea and slow, full movements. I’m assuming that this is just my normal gut flora adjusting to a changing diet consisting heavily of legumes and increased vegetables.
Has anyone else had this problem, or should I consult with a doctor/nutritionist on this matter? I knew that some issues like this could be expected, but this one seems a little different than what I had in mind.

[Tom]

I wouldn't expect your cutting back on meat to do that to you. Eating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains/legumes might easily increase the frequency and/or size of your movements, but I don't know about nausea or pain.

[raefactor]

hey,
First off, thanks for protecting your city as a fireman! As someone who lives in a dorm with crazy people who don't turn off their coffee pots and straightening irons, you guys are my heroes! :)

The pain sounds like gas or constipation. Are the movements themselves hard and painful, or is it just painful in an intestinal cramping way? If you're eating lots of veggies and legumes I would assume it's gas... try taking beano for a while with high-fiber foods and see if that helps. If it's constipation, make sure you're drinking enough water and maybe start drinking something like teeccino.

For a long while when I was vegetarian by force (in my mid teens) I would just pick meat off of pizza or out of soup or whatever and eat around it. It freaked my mom out and would probably freak me out today, but if you're easing into vegetarianism that might be the next step towards it, when feasible.

Also, don't let people hassle you! ^_^ There's a lot of health reasons not to eat meat, such as reducing protein strain on your kidneys or not getting kidney stones, reduced chance of heart disease, etc. Hehe, or if you happen to be seeing someone you can joke that you're a vegetarian because it makes her want to go down on you more often! It's true for me and plenty of other girls. :P

[luvuhunny]

The pain sounds like gas or constipation. Are the movements themselves hard and painful, or is it just painful in an intestinal cramping way? If you're eating lots of veggies and legumes I would assume it's gas... try taking beano for a while with high-fiber foods and see if that helps. If it's constipation, make sure you're drinking enough water and maybe start drinking something like teeccino.

I agree! Great advice Raefactor!

[veg_blondie]

hey,
Also, don't let people hassle you! ^_^ There's a lot of health reasons not to eat meat, such as reducing protein strain on your kidneys or not getting kidney stones, reduced chance of heart disease, etc. Hehe, or if you happen to be seeing someone you can joke that you're a vegetarian because it makes her want to go down on you more often! It's true for me and plenty of other girls. :P

:lol:

[Lucious]

Make sure you're ingesting enough fiber. Whole grains, fruits, veggies, legumes.... they're all really high in fiber and will help your bowel movements be smoother and not so painful.