Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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I started the Whole30 diet on September 1, 2011. It is now september 22. Since I have started eating.strict paleo I have had frequent diarrhea, usually at least once a day. What vitamins should I be taking? I started taking probiotics the other day but no relief. My diet right now mainly consists of sunflower seeds, almonds, chicken and dark green veggies, and I ALWAYS eat protein with the veggies to avoid a stomach ache, but nothing seems to help. I have never had this many stomach issues in my life. Im really confused. anyone have any advice? I cant find any info online about this. Thank you!

flag	asked Sep 22 2011 at 22:10 Anna 1●1

In addition to other comments, like ditching the seeds and looking at what veggies work best for you, and checking WHICH form of mag you are using as well as adusting dosage, possibly, zinc can be effective in stopping diarrhea. So try 50mg Zinc/d – Atkins-witha-loincloth Sep 23 2011 at 5:33

Bread-Eating Beelzebub · Answer 1 · 2011-09-22 22:15:41Z UTC

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I have IBS and let me tell you that if my diet included mainly sunflower seeds, almonds, chicken, and dark green veggies, I'd have diarrhea too. Nuts and seeds are common stomach irritants, as are the fibers in vegetables. How well do you cook your greens? I can tolerate some if they are very well cooked. Take them out and try eating some other different vegetables. Some that stop diarrhea for me include well-cooked and mashed squash, plantains, and sweet potatoes. Also you might try swapping beef or lamb for chicken, since it has a better fatty acid balance. What supplements are you taking now? They can also cause stomach issues.

My one-stop meal for stomach issues is canned pumpkin boiled in beef or chicken stock. Usually stops diarrhea really well.

answered Sep 22 2011 at 22:15

Bread-Eating Beelzebub
55.7k●9●63●237

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You do need the protein (and even more fat), massive quantities of leafy greens may be irritating for you. I've found that if I have a meat-only breakfast, usually beef steak (with marbling), lamb steak with bone marrow, or fatty homemade sausage patties, my digestion for the rest of the day is quite calm and can handle more variety. I think it is a common urge to start with a more "gatherer" style diet, but I think your health and body comp. will improve more quickly with a more "hunter" style diet heavy on animal fat and protein, with supplemental veggies, and seeds and fruit if tolerated. – Happy Now Sep 22 2011 at 23:00

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An example day for me would be scrambled eggs with plantains for breakfast (or just eggs with bacon), lunch would be butternut squash soup with some broiled fish, dinner would be a yam + a lamb or beef dish. Definitely stop all vitamins/supplements while you are having diarrhea and when it stops you can add them back in. Magnesium is a common culprit. – Bread-Eating Beelzebub Sep 22 2011 at 23:24

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What Melissa said. The problems people sometimes report from "high protein" diets are caused by lack of animal fat (extremely important for health in spite of all the lowfat propaganda we've been beaten over the head with all of our lives) and organ meats (necessary vitamins and minerals). Macronutrient ratios can vary greatly in a healthy diet, but personally I feel best with 50-75% fat, 20-30% protein, and the rest carbs. You might have to do some experimenting to see what feels best for your body. There is also a probiotic specifically for diarrhea called Saccharomyces boulardii. – Happy Now Sep 22 2011 at 23:35

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One other thought ... just how much magnesium are you taking? That can definitely contribute to loose stools. – Beth-WeightMaven Sep 22 2011 at 23:41

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And what FORM of mag are you taking? If it is CITRATE, that is your high likely answer. – Atkins-witha-loincloth Sep 23 2011 at 0:06

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Very frequent diarrhea on Whole30 diet

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