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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To give up plant based diet because I nearly shit myself?

34 replies

Fifi00 · 06/05/2023 14:35

Every time I attempt to go vegan my bowels hate it I get very windy and loose stinky stools there's so much poop!!! Why does no one discuss this. I think I have to face that my body doesn't like an entire plant based diet. Does anyone else really struggle with veganism?

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 06/05/2023 14:35

When I went veggie I was woken in the morning by needing to poo, I had to sprint to the loo.

CrunchyCarrot · 06/05/2023 14:37

Maybe you are attempting to go vegan too quickly and so your body can't adjust? Perhaps ease into it over several months.

ADHDDDDDDDBOOM · 06/05/2023 14:39

Are you eating quorn? Because that's evil for the gut.

And lentils/beans can make some people very windy.

Get rid of those and you'll be grand.

Yogazmum · 06/05/2023 14:41

What the Hell are you eating? I’ve been Veggie/Vegan for many years and eat a large range of plant based stuff daily. I also run and I’ve never nearly sh*t myself once!
My bowel movements are regular and perfectly formed 💩
I would suggest you get checked for IBS

kateislate · 06/05/2023 14:43

CrunchyCarrot · 06/05/2023 14:37

Maybe you are attempting to go vegan too quickly and so your body can't adjust? Perhaps ease into it over several months.

This - it's perfectly normal for the first few months while your body adapts to more fibre.

grinner83 · 06/05/2023 14:45

I've been vegan for a few years and my bowel movements are far more pleasant now than they used to be when I was eating meat and dairy 😂

However, if you "shock" your system it can have a dramatic effect initially. I have the opposite problem if I eat too much bread - I get totally bunged up! So I would suggest (if you want to go plant-based) to ease yourself into it. Make small changes and build up to it. If you're used to eating meat and 2 veg and you suddenly eat loads of beans instead (for example), then yes, you will be very gassy!

Simonjt · 06/05/2023 14:48

What is your usual diet like?

PennyAndThatSword · 06/05/2023 14:52

Poo troll gonna talk about poo

Original poster
Fifi00 · 06/05/2023 14:55

Yogazmum · 06/05/2023 14:41

What the Hell are you eating? I’ve been Veggie/Vegan for many years and eat a large range of plant based stuff daily. I also run and I’ve never nearly sh*t myself once!
My bowel movements are regular and perfectly formed 💩
I would suggest you get checked for IBS

I have IBS my dh jokes and says I'm allergic to fruits. I get the shits after all eating fruit apart from a small apple. Most vegetables aren't a problem apart from pulses and meat substitutes. If I can't eat those then I won't be getting enough protein.

OP posts:
MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel · 06/05/2023 14:57

As soon as I cut back on meat and eat more fruit/veg when dieting my arse turns rotten!

Shoots through me and I get horrific stomach pain.

BansheeofInisherin · 06/05/2023 14:58

I have the opposite problem. I can't eat meat.

I think it's what you are used to. I was raised veggie and eating lots of lentils, so now that's all I can eat.

Fluffytoebeanz · 06/05/2023 14:59

I have something similar to ibs and have had to give up some foods. Veganism does not work for me, but I am trying to eat more fibre. I've looked at the fodmap diet, which is fascinating and so am choosing more gut friendly fibre.

MidlandCatGirl · 06/05/2023 15:01

When I went vegan a good while back I went from being a 1-a-day’er to 4 to 5 times a day. At one point I wondered where the hell it was all coming from. It settled down and normal service was resumed after about a week.

loislovesstewie · 06/05/2023 15:04

I can't eat some veg as I have IBS. I did try to eat more vegetarian food but I really can't do it. Too much bran does me in. The problem I have is a painful, gripy stomach. I just think some people can't do it.

FlipFlops4Me · 06/05/2023 15:10

What are you actually eating. I've been vegan for longer than I care to remember but my bowels/habits are fine! It takes a couple of weeks for the wind to die down but after that I'm not aware that I've been any windier than others.

Are you rinsing any tinned beans/pulses you are using in the cooking thoroughly? And pre-cooking if required for those particular things?

Also, some fake meats are awful for the wind.

And if you're using a non-dairy milk, maybe you should try others before settling for one in particular? I'm an oat milk woman but I know others who swear by coconut milk (which is actually very good in tea and tastes like dairy milk).

SNAFUED · 06/05/2023 15:11

I’ve been vegan for years, vegetarian as a child before that. Never had your issue.

IchWill · 06/05/2023 15:15

How long are you sticking with the new diet? I ask, as it can take a few weeks for your gut to get used to it.

Also, both Quorn and soya can be disagreeable to some people's digestion. So if you're eating them, cut them out one at a time to see if it helps.

Good luck.

Summerpetal · 06/05/2023 15:27

I’m vegan 7 years with IBS and no gallbladder and also on orlistat ,so I do have to be very careful what I eat ,so a tiny portion of beans or veg is all I manage .
salad I tolerate well .I have salad or veg with every meal ,and always some carbs to soak everything up..I eat a lot of tofu ,because the fake meats upset my stomach .I manage hummus very well .
linda McCartney vegan original sausages I tolerate well ,plenty of bread and toast to bulk out or I’d probably be on the loo a lot too,I tend to have fruit as treat after dinner or a vegan yogurt ..
im on orlistat to loose weight because prior to this healthy eating regime ,I lived of crisps ,because most things upset my stomach…so has been a try and see approach with different foods ,to see what I can and can’t tolerate

Purplefoalfoot · 06/05/2023 15:33

Never had this issue in 5 years of veganism

Choconut · 06/05/2023 15:39

Onion and garlic tend to be the two worst things for people with IBS. I can't tolerate onions at all but am a bit better with garlic if I don't eat too much.

Careerdilemma · 06/05/2023 15:41

Have you tried pre-soaking all lentils, beans etc?

Iknowthis1 · 06/05/2023 15:42

Do a Google search for 'Fructose Malabsorption'.

SchoolShenanigans · 06/05/2023 15:43

How long have you been vegan? Chances are you're eating much more fibre than usual and your body just needs time to get used to it.

Otherland · 06/05/2023 15:45

Vegan for nearly 25 years. Kids (12, eight) are lifelong vegans. Never experienced your issues. How odd.
I don't think it's the vegan thing.

TiredOfCleaning · 06/05/2023 15:46

kateislate · 06/05/2023 14:43

This - it's perfectly normal for the first few months while your body adapts to more fibre.

Show quote history

yes was going to say this.

DH is vegetarian but eats barely any dairy (and no eggs whatsoever) so is fairly close to vegan. It takes time for it all to settle down.

He's been veg*n for 8 years now and I still get a blow by blow account of what his gut is doing. Sometimes it is quite impressive. Hmm