Low Calorie Diet = Constipation ??? (muscle, reduce, drink, meat)

[Warszawa]

I went on this diet where I eat 1500-1750 calories a day (and it's working as I dropped from like 192 to 182 one and half month), but it's been Constipation Avenue these past two weeks. Is there any reason for this? How do I fix this? I can't eat any more beans, I already eat like 400 cals worth of plain beans a day and if I have to eat any more beans I am going to murder a man

The things that I had to give up for the diet were bananas, soda, apples, fried chicken, pastrami, matzoh ball soup, meat pierogi, and all Caribbean-based food. Is the lack of sugar/fat causing constipation? Also I consume 200g+ of protein a day so that I won't become catabolic. Could it be the protein intake?

[yby1]

Prob the protein. Make sure you drink enough water and exercise.

[DaniellaG]

Why so much protein? What about healthy fats? Also what about produce and whole grains?

[RD5050]

Eat more fiber.

Try shredded wheat cereal and black coffee for breakfast.

The high amount of beans may be the problem. Include other protein foods in your diet such as chicken and turkey breast, egg whites, fish, greek yogurt, cottage cheese.

Read these articles concerning constipation:

Foods That Cause Constipation | LIVESTRONG.COM

Constipation - self-care: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

[boxus]

Originally Posted by DaniellaG

Why so much protein? What about healthy fats? Also what about produce and whole grains?

When a person is cutting body fat but trying to maintain muscle, they up the protein amount. I do not know if this is the OP's reason or not.

[ladyvictoria]

Try drinking glass of warm water and eating two dried apricots every morning before breakfast. It will keep you regular.

[SoEdible]

Originally Posted by ladyvictoria

Try drinking glass of warm water and eating two dried apricots every morning before breakfast. It will keep you regular.

LOL I have to say that I think this is a good idea. Will probably feel bubbles immediately.

[stepka]

I get constipated every time I lower my cals, no matter what I eat. I think it just takes time for your system to adjust, and C is an ongoing problem for me anyway. I use a good probiotic these days called Inner Eco and it's a liquid that comes in a bottle. Best stuff I ever used. Also, I pour some fiber supplement in my coffee every morning--I can't tell it's there.

One thing that might be causing it is that when you go on a diet, you tend to lose water weight first and this will temporarily throw off the water balance in your body, which is why you should drink more water while losing weight, but I tend to forget to do that.

[Ameriscot]

I'm on 1200 - 1500 cals per day. My digestion works very well. I drink a lot of water, eat porridge, dried fruit, a salad every day, lots of veg, beans, whole grain breads only. When I travel and start eating rubbish like sugar, white flour, too much meat, cheese, then trouble.

[aliss2]

When you reduce calories, you reduce overall nutrient intake (just because of the amount of food is less). You have to make very WISE choices when you eat low calorie, whereas higher calorie gives you a bit more wiggle room.