Vegetarian bowel movements (sorry but serious question)?!
Vegetarian bowel movements (sorry but serious question)?
Sorry to ask this kind of question but I'm concerned. I've only been a vegetarian for about a month and I've noticed a change in my stool. I've read other q&a's where people talk about going more often which is definitely the case for me but my question is has anyone experienced a change in the shape and texture? I just started noticing that they are thinner and longer. It almost seems like I can have an obstruction. Or like if it was coming out like the shape of my colon. Sometimes I get some that look like an "S". Is this normal since I changed my diet? Has anyone experienced anything like this after going veggie?
Answers: Oprah had a whole show with Dr Oz and they talked about how it should be shaped like as S.
You can probably watch a video of the episode on OPRAH.com Serious answer as well.
Any type of major dietary change will have an affect on your bowel movements.
For instance, when people go on a low-carb, high protein diet, they often become constipated and must drink a lot more water.
When you go on a vegetarian diet, you are probably increasing your roughage (found only in vegetable products), thereby decreasing the transit time it takes for food to be metabolized and excreted, and softening your stool as well.
Any bowel changes that result in a dark, tarry, or really foul smell should be reported to your doctor but your's sound like just changing dietary habits. It is normal for changes in what you eat Coming out the shape of your colon is a good thing. It means it's pliable and high in fiber. Constipation affects those who eat large amounts of:
1. meat
2. refined starches Vegetarians are generally more "regular" than people who eat a lot of meat. That's a good thing. While I am not a vegetarian, I have increased my intake of vegetables for the diet I am on. Many salads and steamed veggies, while a decrease in meats and carbs.
Anyway, my stool also has changed. Thinner, longer and darker. I guess that would be normal then. The "S" shape is the the best thing that you could ask for when it comes to a BM. It means that you're GI tract is probably healthier than most. Definitely a good sign.
It means you are finally not all clogged up with red meats and fast greasy foods :)
It's a sign of good health -The more of an "S" shape teh stool has, the better! It's sh*t, it's not supposed to look like a work of art. S is a good sign!
WATCH THE OPRAH special on poops!
Also you can talk to your doctor if you have concerns dont be shy!
But S is how our poop shoudl look! "Sorry to ask this kind of question but I'm concerned." ---Dear lad, no need to be sorry. You have endeared yourself to the members of the V&V forum!
They LOVE to talk about "shape and texture" as well as colour of fecal matter. I mean look at the number of responses in such a short time.
It is absolutely hilarious to many of us who are flexitarian vegetarians and flexitarian vegan!
I am sure you will soon graduate to a serious discussion of "flatulence" which also will be enthusiastically commented upon.
I do admit some fascination with this "S" thing. Is it block lettering or cursive? Does cursive require a certain "sphincter dexterity" as one might say, or is it a natural gift given to some but not others...LMAO. Don't worry about it in the slightest. It's perfectly normal for some people. The digested meat in your old diet would have been something of a binding agent with everything else, causing it to causing it to stick together and thus come out thicker.
The thinner/longer is not a sign of an obstruction, unless you are not going enough, which you already stated you are. On the contrary, with it being looser, it will simply take more to the shape of the colon, and come out thinner. You may or may not find it is actually a more comfortable experience than when you ate meat. ROFLMAO. I thought that the crew could talk "sh*t", but I am humbled as I now realize that I am in the presence of true professionals who can REALLY talk "sh*t".
I'm really beginning to LOVE this forum . . . it brings tears of laughter to my eyes. Thank you, all!!! Once becoming a vegetarian i noticed that i was more intune and aware of my digestive system.
meat slows down your system so much, it backs you up constantly which alows you to eat any number of unrounded meals as it all just keeps pileing on top.
When i eat a meal now i feel that i need to be sensible and think about how it affects my entire body.
I generally dont snack much anymore unless its fruit. Mainly because i dont want to have go to the bathroom every five minutes.
When i eat big meals i prefer to have some toast with it or at least muesli after it and i almost always have some leafy greens too.
My system is working fast and vegetables have a lot of fiber, having grains or starches with it seems to round off the meal a bit better, especially when i have anything like legumes or beans.
When im eating salady type things during the day i also feel the need to have nuts and seeds, as that seems to round off that type of meal too.
I also noticed that after i got used to being a vegetarian that my system adjusted to it eventually too. once you stick to a routine or a rythm for a bit the body should adapt as best it can. getting used to legumes was a bit trying but i feel better fr it now that i have.
I try to eat meals that will make me feel good through out, i try to be intune with my system and keep it running, and unobstructed. yet also i dont want to be going all day, i try to keep it to once a day in the morning, muesli at night seems to help quite well with it.
Try a few things and see what works for you.
Good Luck : )