Second week of diet. Can not poo

[fortifiedwithtea]

Starting weight just under 16 stone. On 12 week program with the doctors. Low carbs. Eating on average 1450 calories a day.

first week lost 3lb. But I am so uncomfortable. Switched from porridge to bran flakes. Eating prunes for 3 days and fresh oranges. Drinking water by the pint ‘cos of the weather.

had a lot of headache due to low carbs and the heat.

will I gradually get used to this or am I going to have an explosive poo?

Reduced pooing is a side effect of low carb, make sure you're eating low carb veg like brocolli, green beans, asparagus (stuff grown above ground), add in any fibre you can, some people use psyllium husk added to water.

This is classic low carb made worse by the hot weather.

I'd get yourself some Movicol/Laxido, start with 2 a day and keep going.

In the long term loads of people swear by psyllium husk or chia seeds. Personally I really dislike chia seeds but found swapping porridge oats to oat bran a winner.

Not heard of psyllium husk. Where do I buy that, Holland and Barrett, Boots?

Also didn’t know chai seeds make you go. I think my husband has had those when on a health kick.

I feel fuller on portidge but bran flakes has always been my go to cereal for staying regular.

Think I’m thoroughly blocked and will have to get some latulose 🤢

Oat bran is good

You also need way way more water than you think when low carbing. I know you say you're drinking it by the pint, but drinking it by the litre is more like it.

I'm about the same weight as you and need 2-3 lts a day when dieting. Make sure you eat foods with a little salt to keep your sodium levels from dropping too much.

If lactulose works for you then great - but it is very mild!

Chia seeds can be mixed - some people they make go, some people they bung up.

Basically low carb can radically reduce the amount of fibre you are eating unless you are careful to have a lot of extra veg.

I used to add a teaspoon of psyllium husk to about 20mls of water and then quickly mix it in with a yoghurt. But I don't need to do that any more. My body as adapted. I'm not keto, just no pasta, bread, crisps, flour, maybe a tiny bit of white rice occasionally in a bit of supermarket sushi but far fewer carbs than I would have eaten this time last year. I'd sometimes have one weetabix with some soya yogurt in the morning though so definitely not NO carb

TBH Lactulose I find is horribly sweet and just makes me fart but its what always been prescribed when any of my household have had bowel troubles.

if anything I am eating more on this diet. Pre diet would have been a Gregs sandwich, cake and sometimes half a bottle of ribena. Then I would have had a sugar slump and be tired in the afternoon. Now I am cooking a small meal for lunch and dinner.

Magnesium is your friend on a low carb diet. Lots of different types, but look for magnesium citrate. It’s a mild laxative so may help.

Yes, lactulose definitely gives you wind!

Movicol or Laxido (different names for the same thing, depends what the pharmacy has in stock) is much much better

Was just coming on to post this!

12 days in, my bowels have remembered what their purpose is at last.

Headaches are less. Not got cravings for sugar but at the same time will power is still not existent. I know the theory is don’t deprive yourself of all treats but honestly I can’t stop at one. Visited my mum last night. A jam tart was to be eaten with a tea of cup. 121 calories yikes! Could not resist a second but in my mind justified that I had many calories to spare. I really did, even with two jam tarts I got change out of 1300 calories yesterday.

At the moment heart palpitations are the biggest problem. I have read up , its due to reduced salt but will pass within a couple of weeks. Hope so because its not a nice feeling.

Had a rubbish night’s sleep last night, my fault for falling asleep on the sofa then crawling up to bed at stupid o’clock.

I buy psyllium husk from Amazon and add a teaspoon to my evening meal. I don’t even notice it now. I very occasionally use 2 teaspoons if it seems required!

I'd echo the poster above who said eat lots of veggies...

For me, one tbsp of oat bran and one of linseed (whole) bulks up a nice soft stool (tmi??)

Our local hospital consultants recommend 2tbsp of linseeds to those who want to use a natural approach

Also agree wiht magnesium and psyllium husk but like my combo better

I dont worry about calories in oat bran and whole linseed.. little gets digested....

I hot loads of psyllium husk with my prenatal vitamins and have barely needed any because i have a pretty good fibre intake already. I can send you some if you like! All sealed.

Oatbran is what Dukan recommends on his low carb diet to stay regular.

@Whataretheodds that’s a kind thought but no thank you. Off to google the Dukan diet.

weigh day today. Hoping for a loss. Bowels are better than last week but still not great. Headache and palpitations have been the biggest issue this week.