How Regular is Regular? - PaleoHacks.com

How Regular is Regular?

2012-10-20T06:21:44Z

I have been following the paleo diet now for 9 months. I recently went to a naturopath where i was asked how regular my bowel movements were. I don't really remember what i was like pre paleo but now i go every second day. He preceeded to tell me that every 2 days was not acceptable and i should be going every day (I didn't tell him what my diet consisted of untill the end of the appointment.) He explained that because i am not going every day there is waste from the food i have been eating sitting in my body for over a day. I never feel bloated or constipated and when i do go it is very normal. Just wondering if he is on the right track and we all should be going everyday or if becuase we are not eating a tonne of crap we don't need to go as often?

Answer by Tim for How Regular is Regular?

2012-10-20T06:34:58Z

Stool frequency generally declines on Paleo: grains seem to reeeeally stimulate bowel movements (anything to do with their toxicity I wonder?: "get out of me, gluten!").

I think it's nice when I use the loo not to give birth to a mush monster. My wipes are dry and I don't feel like I'm either trying to push out a concrete block or Greek yogurt.

I think it means your body is happy to have the nontoxic food sit around for a little while. If you feel good, I'd say that's a good thing too.

But, I have been wrong before!

Answer by elektrosaman for How Regular is Regular?

2012-10-20T19:06:29Z

As a vegan I took three shits a day, yet during that time I reached the lowest total body mass post-puberty. Now consuming mostly meat, eggs, and dairy, I take maybe three shits a week.. maybe two? I don't know, some times I feel as if I've gone over two days without shitting - but I noticed muscle mass is so easy to produce and retain. I theorize that stool size and frequency has an inverse relationship with how efficiently our body absorbs food (taken for granted that you eat a healthy diet, i.e. all natural non-processed foods). Let him tell you whatever he wants to tell you. You tell him that you feel great and are happy with how you feel with respect to your health and that you trust your own body first.

Answer by Aili for How Regular is Regular?

2012-10-20T19:23:20Z

Well, normally I do not write about BMs; but this morning I must report that on Paleo, I've become quite regular, in the sense of having at least 2 BMs each morning (sometimes 3). My husband is different, very two days seems about right for him. Both of us feel good!

Answer by Poop Master MC for How Regular is Regular?

2012-10-20T19:40:08Z

Often I am asked "How many bowel movements need I have to achieve Poop Nirvana?"

The right number is the number that is no number, because any number is the right number.

Answer by UncleLongHair for How Regular is Regular?

2012-10-20T23:36:41Z

Pre-Paleo, I was very irregular and had IBS, and would go between being constipated for 1-3 days at a time, to going several times a day, often with diarrhea. It was an extended bout of running to the bathroom 5-10 times per day for a week that originally got me on Paleo.

Since going Paleo, I am so regular it is almost funny. Almost every day I go within 1/2 hour of waking up, and again at about 4:50pm. Literally, 4:50pm -- not 4:30pm, not 5:15pm. I can set my clock by it. Part of this is probably due to my exercise schedule which is at 5:30pm 3 days per week. This schedule only gets messed up if I eat non-Paleo foods that mess up my system.

I have to say it is a delight to be so regular and to have absolutely no bloating, cramping, or even gas, this is one of the best things about going Paleo for me.