There's No Way To Sugar Coat This... We Need To Talk About Pooping

If you’ve recently started a new diet, you might have noticed some changes when it’s time for a Number 2. You might find yourself a little… backed up. Alternatively, the runs could be in the mix. There are several contributing factors to this, and it is completely normal, so don’t fret!

Your gut, otherwise known as your gastrointestinal tract, is responsible for a lot regarding your overall health, particularly in terms of digestion and absorption of nutrients. When you eat, your gut absorbs the nutrients from food, this includes vitamins, minerals, carbs, proteins and fats to provide your body with the energy it needs. 

When you start a new diet, your gut recognises something has changed, and you might experience some temporary discomfort especially if your new nutritional intake differs greatly from the diet you had beforehand. This discomfort tends to manifest as changes in bowel movements. 

If you’re incorporating more protein in your diet, you may find yourself a little backed up. This is more likely to happen if the new diet doesn’t incorporate enough fibre or if you’re not drinking enough water. If your new diet incorporates more fibre than what you ate before, then it may give you the runs! Fibre absorbs water in the gut and is great for alleviating constipation, but too much of it can cause diarrhoea. 

Depending on how you ate beforehand, you might be introducing a lot more protein or fibre into your gut. Your gut will recognise these changes and adjust over time, but it’s just the way the gut works, it’s not at all an indicator of poor health or The Lady Shake not being the right fit.

For the first 1-2 weeks, let it take its course. Unfortunately, it isn’t something you’re in control of, but there are some strategies! In terms of constipation, keeping hydrated, eating more fibre and exercising more frequently helps the gut break down your new diet more easily. As for diarrhoea, increasing your carb and water intake can help. 

Don’t let the discomfort deter you from sticking to your diet! Your gut is adjusting and won’t take long to get back to normal.