Diarrhoea after eating fruit in the evening and after evening meal sometimes

[Gonnagetgoing]

This happens approx 2-3 times a week.

After I eat a normal evening meal (fishcakes with potato and veggies, omelette with potato and veggies, spaghetti Bolognese, shepherds pie with veggies, fajitas etc (I usually have a whole kiwi fruit cut up approximately 10-15 minutes after the meal. During the day I have a portion of apricots and raspberries as a snack, a vegetable soup and blueberries with porridge in the morning. I do have other snacks like biscuits sometimes.

This has mostly been since my 40s (just turned 50).

The diarrhoea is quite chronic and is a one off and I usually take peppermint tea to calm my stomach but only at this time never any other time and it’s not every day. I don’t think it’s IBS.

Any clues as to what it is before I see the doctor?

You might have developed an intolerance to one of them. Cut one out each day to try and find out which one.

You could always call the Dr and have online appointment.

I used to get this with eating oranges too so I don’t eat those at night now.

I think I’ll call the doctor and have an online appointment.

Stop eating fruit in the evening?

@Greenmarmalade

Stop eating fruit in the evening?

@Greenmarmalade - actually I might just try that and see what happens.

Kiwi can go through you like a tornado!

@DrinkFeckArseGirls

Kiwi can go through you like a tornado!

@DrinkFeckArseGirls - right I’m cutting out kiwi fruit and replacing it with something else.

I might see the doctor in case I have IBS but I really don’t think so.

I can only eat fruit or veg in one to two portions a day or I get the same problem.

It’s only fruit and veg that does it. Only in my 40s.

I’ve no idea why. I do have ibs but that’s just a label. I’d love to know what actually causes the problem so I can address it.

Too easily digested?

Too much stomach acid?

What actually causes it to happen? If you find out post back please OP!

Kiwis are well-known for their laxative properties!

@Greenmarmalade

Stop eating fruit in the evening?

@Greenmarmalade - the thing is, it’s usually explosive and sudden but not every night? Just 2-3 x a week. So I’m not sure if its fructose intolerance etc? I’m not sure if it’s building up during the day or if it’s after eating eg kiwi fruit 🥝 or oranges which I used to eat?

Anyway for now I’ll eat all fruit before my main evening meal.

When I was pregnant I was quite constipated and the midwife recommended kiwis - it’s quite well known to increase gut transit time (just google kiwis and constipation) but that isn’t a good thing for everyone! See this study for example pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21147704/

I’d try cutting them out for a while and see if this makes a difference.

I don't mean to be unkind, but realistically, what do you think the doctor will say? Are you losing weight? Do you have any other abdominal pains? Unexplained fatigue?

As we get older our digestive systems generally become more temperamental. Fruit is known to speed things along. My advice is to cut down on your fruit consumption and see how things are before you bother your very busy GP.

@Elieza

I can only eat fruit or veg in one to two portions a day or I get the same problem.

It’s only fruit and veg that does it. Only in my 40s.

I’ve no idea why. I do have ibs but that’s just a label. I’d love to know what actually causes the problem so I can address it.

Too easily digested?

Too much stomach acid?

What actually causes it to happen? If you find out post back please OP!

@Elieza - just found this article which is very enlightening:-

www.nhs.uk/conditions/incontinence-bowel/documents/nice%20guidelines%20ibs.pdf

I’m similar as you but don’t think I have IBS or not severely. Maybe I’m wrong…

@mibbelucieachwell

I don't mean to be unkind, but realistically, what do you think the doctor will say? Are you losing weight? Do you have any other abdominal pains? Unexplained fatigue?

As we get older our digestive systems generally become more temperamental. Fruit is known to speed things along. My advice is to cut down on your fruit consumption and see how things are before you bother your very busy GP.

@mibbelucieachwell - I get what you say. But honestly apart from a few years ago where 2 older women in my office told me digestive systems get worse with maybe IBS as you are, I had no idea about it. But I’ll leave the doctor alone for now.

@Fleur405

When I was pregnant I was quite constipated and the midwife recommended kiwis - it’s quite well known to increase gut transit time (just google kiwis and constipation) but that isn’t a good thing for everyone! See this study for example pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21147704/

I’d try cutting them out for a while and see if this makes a difference.

@Fleur405 - ah that’s so interesting! Bloody kiwi fruit 🥝 they’re now off limits! I only wanted to eat something high in vitamin C, I’ll stick to apples.

@NanTheWiser

Kiwis are well-known for their laxative properties!

@NanTheWiser - honestly I had no idea about kiwis and laxative properties but now I know and I’ll recommend them to anyone who’s constipated!

So out of interest does anyone know what fruit doesn’t have a laxative effect but is high in vitamin C?

Just to add a different perspective. I once did the FODMAP diet under a dietician. It transpired that I am intolerant to some sugars in fruits I can't eat fruit after meat. I can't wat apple at all.

It may be the combination of foods, or an intolerance to sucrose or fructose. Always worth speaking to a healthcare professional.

My worry is that we are meant to eat five a day but I can’t even eat two every day so how can I reduce the likelihood of getting bowel cancer.

A lot of nutritionists don't recommend eating fruit just after a meal for digestive reasons.

Have you thought about spacing them out, so mid morning and afternoon snack instead of as dessert in the evening?

Are you eating the skin of the kiwi, if you are, try eating it without he skin. As others have said kiwis are suggested for people with constipation so even without the skin they will have a laxative effect.

One possible reason it is not happening every time you eat kiwi after tea is that it could be due to the combination of food you've eaten that day, maybe if you are eating several things that your body finds hard to digest in a day then you are more likely to get your intestines throwing the toys out of the pram by the end of the day. You could keep a food diary to see if there are any patterns.

Another thing you could try is leaving a bigger gap after your tea before you eat the fruit, maybe try waiting 30-45 minutes and see if you still get the same issue.

I remember reading years ago that it is best to eat fruit before a meal rather than after it. Something to do with the rate of digestion. I've never been able to tuck into a fruit salad after a full meal without ending up with massive bloating. Fine on an empty stomach though.

I believe strawberries are very high in vitamin c. Honestly I would try going easy on the kiwis but if it doesn’t make a difference then go see your doctor.

@jamaisjedors

A lot of nutritionists don't recommend eating fruit just after a meal for digestive reasons.

Have you thought about spacing them out, so mid morning and afternoon snack instead of as dessert in the evening?

That’s a good idea. I’ll do that.