I have recently begun to eat high fiber foods and vegetables, something I have not done all my life. My bowel movements are multiple times a day and a mix between diarrhea/semi solid that break up once in the toilet with an odd smell. Is this my body adjusting to my recent diet change?
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Is my stool normal according to diet change?
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Bowel consistency will change when your diet changes, and is nothing to be overly concerned about. This is especially true if you are eating whole foods for the first time. The consistency and smell may be some old fecal substance being released from the walls of your large intestine. This is good! The more whole foods you eat the better your detoxifying organs will function: intestines, liver, kidneys, skin, etc. The various organs will need some time to adjust however, and you may experience other questionable symptoms as well. But you will also probably have more energy, a clearer mind and a sense of general well-being before too long. Remember, when attending to your health by changing lifestyle habits, such as diet and exercise, this way takes time. You're doing great! Keep it going!
For years now, fiber has been touted as an essential component of a healthy diet. The supposed benefits of a high-fiber diet have been drilled into us through recommendations by our doctors, government, and the food industry alike, yet many of these health claims have not been proven by research.
In fact, many studies have demonstrated that excess intake of fiber may actually be harmful, particularly for gut health. Ideally, dietary fiber should be coming from whole food plant sources. Many foods in the Paleo diet are great sources of both soluble and insoluble fiber, such as yams and sweet potatoes, green leafy vegetables, carrots and other root vegetables, fruits with an edible peel (like apples and pears), berries, seeds, and nuts. Your body is definitely reacting to your recent diet change especially if you are getting your fiber from wheat (ex. bran). A really good book to educate yourself (if you like reading), is Fiber Menace - The Truth About the Leading Role of Fiber in Diet Failure, Constipation, Hemorrhoids, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, and Colon Cancer. Excessive grain consumption will do you more harm. Humans are NOT designed to eat grains, and doing so may actually be damaging to your gut.
In fact, many studies have demonstrated that excess intake of fiber may actually be harmful, particularly for gut health. Ideally, dietary fiber should be coming from whole food plant sources. Many foods in the Paleo diet are great sources of both soluble and insoluble fiber, such as yams and sweet potatoes, green leafy vegetables, carrots and other root vegetables, fruits with an edible peel (like apples and pears), berries, seeds, and nuts. Your body is definitely reacting to your recent diet change especially if you are getting your fiber from wheat (ex. bran). A really good book to educate yourself (if you like reading), is Fiber Menace - The Truth About the Leading Role of Fiber in Diet Failure, Constipation, Hemorrhoids, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, and Colon Cancer. Excessive grain consumption will do you more harm. Humans are NOT designed to eat grains, and doing so may actually be damaging to your gut.
A considerable change in the aspect and smell of your stool is expected after a diet change or eating habit so don't worry it seems nothing is wrong, try reduce if possible the amount of fiber or even water if you are drinking more than 64 oz per day and this could help, but don't expect that you will go back to the former bowel movements, vegetarians have these kind of stool.