Awful Digestive Problems, New Vegan

I am rarely constipated as a vegan, but the few times I have experienced horrid bloat and constipation as a vegan, it was usually one of two reasons (or both):

restricting calories too much

going too low in fat

Ground flaxseeds work wonders in getting things moving for me, and a serving or two of almonds or chia seeds or some other nut/seed each day keeps me more lubricated, along with all the fiber I get from beans, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains.

Also, drinking enough liquid is very important, especially with increased fiber.

However, as David said, we can't assume this is diet related. One bowel movement a week is indeed very abnormal and worth visiting your doctor. I used to get like that many years ago when I was on an antidepressant that dried out my system and slowed things down. I was really miserable and nothing helped until I went off it. I am also very sensitive to supplements and some can cause the same effect (such as calcium pills).

I did not experience constipation when I transitioned (overnight). In fact my digestion became much better without having to work so hard to digest meat. Things move faster and smoother. I used to get awful cramps, pain, and diarrhea with most dairy so avoided it for years but would consume Greek yogurt regularly which was the only dairy product I could tolerate. It did slow me down some. One time I went all raw for several weeks and was pooping five to ten times a day lol. It was too much too fast. I went through a period of starving myself (both as an omni and at one point as a vegan) and lost a lot of weight and at that time I was sometimes constipated, though surprisingly as a vegan still not too bad. I have hypothyroidism that can cause bowel changes when my levels veer off but it's usually gradual.

In addition to all the very helpful and wise advice above, it also helped me, personally, to remain mindful of food combining, especially not eating or drinking fruit after other food groups, and no longer drinking with meals, but rather 20 minutes before or after (allowing about a cups worth with the meal, if necessary).

I also learned it was beneficial to add a step stool to my bathroom toilet space to serve as a "squatty potty" in the daily elimination process to help place my body/organs in a more opportune position on the throne to be able to release as much as possible, as our bodies were apparently designed to do. I'm no expert, just a curious and experimental layman sharing what helps me.

Not eating late at night and chewing very very well, even my liquids, was a big help, too. I wasn't constipated as much as I was a loose cannon, salad shooter as I used to joke, when first transitioning, but there were times of severe bloating and pain that scared the hell out of me.

I noticed those were when I was trying to construct smoothies with various nuts, plant milks, greens, sea vegetables, fruit, etc., all in one serving along with meals of meat substitutes, a lot of starchy root veggies, many beans, often enhanced with nut based cheese and meat substitutes all combined, often adding more fruit later on as a snack and/or dessert and man...I was hurtin' for certain.

I now do my hydration, fruits, juices, and nice cream and such in the first part of my days and enjoy all the other yumminess after. Some folks aren't bothered in the least by eating and drinking fruit after other things, but my particular biology doesn't enjoy it.

Best wishes for relief...take good care of you.

Nope. The only link I can provide is my direct link to trying it out and experiencing much relief from it. You're an avid and excellent researcher, though, so I'm sure if anything exists, you'll happen upon it before I will. It's highly likely you've already searched and haven't found anything to your satisfaction which is why you've come to ask. Sorry to let you down.

It was suggested to me by a local long time vegan consumer (12+years) I sought advice and support from after my medical emergency. I didn't study or specifically seek peer reviewed or agency approved information to support every single thing we discussed, as she and others had already lived it with great success and she was kindly sharing her direct experience, just as I am. Not to mention, I had been repeatedly harmed by several agencies and their so called expert advice and such in the past, so that level of verification of information doesn't hold as much weight in my world as it used to.

She explained to me that fruit and fruit juices digest much more quickly than the other food groups and it would be beneficial to eat them first to avoid digestive back-up, bloating, fermenting in the gut, etc. Even mixing certain fruits with others was mentioned as potentially problematic.

The drinking while eating was explained as washing away the digestive enzymes that we need to keep very much in place to healthily break down what we ingest. A registered dietitian had also explained that aspect to me a few years prior to hearing it again from my vegan friend, but I wasn't ready to hear/absorb/retain it, apparently.

I had no need or desire to question and dig further once I tried her advice and it provided me with much relief from the bloating and pain I was experiencing. It just made good sense to me that even though I was choosing healthier foods, it might actually matter how I was combining them. I was sensitive to certain non-vegan food combos, why not the vegan ones?

All those less than pleasant after dinner bodily sounds and functions that used to be grossly yet humorously regarded as simply being, "Compliments to the chef!" greatly lessened once I incorporated her suggestions. Gratefully, the bloating was no longer a thing.

CHECK THIS


What are the symptoms of low hydrochloric acid?

• Bloating, especially soon after meals
• Heartburn or reflux (though some reflux can also be caused by hyperacidity)
• Gastritis (especially secondary to H Pylori infection)
• Undigested food in stool
• Flatulence, especially the smelly kind
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• IBS
• Bacterial or parasitic infections
• Colonic dysbiosis
• Yeast overgrowth
• SIBO
• Food intolerances
• Leaky gut
• Bad breath
• B12, magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc deficiency
• Poor hair, teeth and nails
• High triglycerides and cholesterol
• Estrogen dominance and PMS

Espirito said:

Foods That Help Increase HCL

Foods in the diet also help the body produce more HCL naturally over time, though may not be as quick acting as a supplement. These foods are: lemons, limes, apple cider vinegar, along with papaya, pineapple, and a high-quality salt. Though a low-sodium diet is healthy for many, some people can actually take in too little salt, which can decrease HCL levels naturally, hence the name hydro-chloric( with chloric meaning salt). A great idea to improve your stomach acid levels naturally would be to try making a HCL-producing meal, such as a large salad with some apple cider vinegar lemon dressing, and a sprinkle of high-mineral sea salt (such as pink Himilayan or true salt), and perhaps some miso (also high in quality salt that provides beneficial bacteria).

Click to expand...

Hi Espirito,

Indigestion can be caused by several things, not just low hydrochloric acid. According to the reputable Mayo Clinic, all of these are possible causes of indigestion:

Overeating or eating too quickly
Fatty, greasy or spicy foods
Too much caffeine, alcohol, chocolate or carbonated beverages
Smoking
Anxiety
Certain antibiotics, pain relievers and iron supplements
Gastritis
Peptic ulcers
Celiac disease
Gallstones
Constipation
Pancreas inflammation (pancreatitis)
Stomach cancer
Intestinal blockage
Reduced blood flow in the intestine (intestinal ischemia)

Link:http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/indigestion/symptoms-causes/dxc-20209277

Unfortunately, it's not really possible (or safe) for us to attempt to diagnose or treat these potentially dangerous medical conditions over the internet. For everyone's safety, none of us should attempt to serve the role of physician on this forum.

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