Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Diarrhea After Having Low Carbohydrate Diet?
Question: Hi - whenever I try a low carb diet I get bad diareah. Very watery stool that seem to have mucus or fat.
I am fructose intolerant and so stay away from nuts and apples and all associated fodmap items.
If I eat lots of carbs with my meals I am fine.
I had an ultrasound done 6 months or so of my gallbladder and it was normal.
Please advise.
I am fructose intolerant and so stay away from nuts and apples and all associated fodmap items.
If I eat lots of carbs with my meals I am fine.
I had an ultrasound done 6 months or so of my gallbladder and it was normal.
Please advise.
Brief Answer:
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I read carefully your query.
Experiencing diarrhea when change your normal diet to low-carb diet is very common.
Usually, with a dramatic increase in fat and reduction in carbs, most people will experience a period of loose bowels which is normal.This may last some days or more until the body adapts.During this time you should drink plenty of water ,add some fiber in your diet( wheat XXXXXXX ground flaxseeds or psyllium husk) and take an Probiotic.
The new diet might be high in fat and this causes the diarrhea.You may want to start with a low-fat diet until your body adapts to the new diet.You can try to avoid milk,cheese for some days to see if this helps.
If the diarrhea continues ,I would suggest to stop this diet and eat a well balanced diet with a lot of vegetables, low fat foods and exercise a lot.
The effects of a low carb diet are not confirmed to be superior than a well balanced diet,although it can help in some conditions like diabetes,high lipids etc.
Hope it helps.
Let me know if you have any question or doubt to clarify.I will be happy to help.
Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I read carefully your query.
Experiencing diarrhea when change your normal diet to low-carb diet is very common.
Usually, with a dramatic increase in fat and reduction in carbs, most people will experience a period of loose bowels which is normal.This may last some days or more until the body adapts.During this time you should drink plenty of water ,add some fiber in your diet( wheat XXXXXXX ground flaxseeds or psyllium husk) and take an Probiotic.
The new diet might be high in fat and this causes the diarrhea.You may want to start with a low-fat diet until your body adapts to the new diet.You can try to avoid milk,cheese for some days to see if this helps.
If the diarrhea continues ,I would suggest to stop this diet and eat a well balanced diet with a lot of vegetables, low fat foods and exercise a lot.
The effects of a low carb diet are not confirmed to be superior than a well balanced diet,although it can help in some conditions like diabetes,high lipids etc.
Hope it helps.
Let me know if you have any question or doubt to clarify.I will be happy to help.
Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi - I often eat that much meat and fat anyway. I have just cut out carbs for now. So I haven't added any thing or increased anything (such as extra fat) from my diet. My understanding is that most people get constipated from lack of carbs not the other way around ?
I am drinking heaps of water.
I am drinking heaps of water.
Brief Answer:
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
It is true that most of people can experience constipation in the first weeks of changing to a low-carb diet .This is related mostly with dehydration ,salt loss that follows this diet.
Diarrhea is also a common side effect of this diet.It can happen due to different factors and sometimes the right cause is not determined.
If you have eat for long time ,the same amount of fat and you have increased fat intake when you cut out carbs ,then is less likely to be this the cause of diarrhea.
It is recommendable to increase the amount of fat in diet to replace the source of energy for the body.Saturated fat such as butter or coconut oil is prefered.
If you are taking too much proteins ,it can cause diarrhea.
I would suggest to avoid milk,diary for some time and see if this will improve your diarrhea.
You can start taking an Probiotic and fiber supplement like sugar-free Metamucil or psyllium husk before a meal.
Most of the cases with diarrhea ,only need some time for the digestive tract to adapt to the new diet.It may takes up to several weeks.
Hope it helps.
Take care,
Dr.Rovena
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
It is true that most of people can experience constipation in the first weeks of changing to a low-carb diet .This is related mostly with dehydration ,salt loss that follows this diet.
Diarrhea is also a common side effect of this diet.It can happen due to different factors and sometimes the right cause is not determined.
If you have eat for long time ,the same amount of fat and you have increased fat intake when you cut out carbs ,then is less likely to be this the cause of diarrhea.
It is recommendable to increase the amount of fat in diet to replace the source of energy for the body.Saturated fat such as butter or coconut oil is prefered.
If you are taking too much proteins ,it can cause diarrhea.
I would suggest to avoid milk,diary for some time and see if this will improve your diarrhea.
You can start taking an Probiotic and fiber supplement like sugar-free Metamucil or psyllium husk before a meal.
Most of the cases with diarrhea ,only need some time for the digestive tract to adapt to the new diet.It may takes up to several weeks.
Hope it helps.
Take care,
Dr.Rovena
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
