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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can A Change Of Diet Cause Bloating And Frequent Bowel Movements?

approximately 3 weeks ago I changed my diet drastically. I started to eat lot of vegetables in soups and in shakes, raw and cooked. Also I added at times fruits and I started eating more legumes and almonds. I had diarrhea for a few days and very bloated abdomen, started to move my bowels more often and the feces changed colors and consistency. Now I am still bloated, I am not eating a lot, even water makes me bloated, no pain just a full feeling pretty much all the time, even when I get up in the morning with an empty stomach

Could this be due to the drastic change of diet and my intestines are inflamed or it could be due to something else?
posted on Thu, 13 Mar 2014
Twitter Fri, 11 Sep 2015 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 11 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on
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Dietitian & Nutritionist,  's  Response
Hello,

Thanks a lot for posting your question.
A drastic change in your diet habits can definitely cause gastrointestinal disturbances like the ones you have mentioned.
All the foods you added in your diet (cooked and raw vegetables, legumes, nuts etc) are really high in fibre. Fibre is important for our health, however, when consumed in high amounts (and suddenly) it might cause a laxative effect. That's the reason you had diarrhea and frequent bowel movements. Also, increased stomach and intestinal gas (bloating) is a common side effect of a high fibre diet.
If the gastrointestinal problems continue for more than a couple of weeks you should consult your physician.

Thanks a lot,
Gina
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Can A Change Of Diet Cause Bloating And Frequent Bowel Movements?

Hello, Thanks a lot for posting your question. A drastic change in your diet habits can definitely cause gastrointestinal disturbances like the ones you have mentioned. All the foods you added in your diet (cooked and raw vegetables, legumes, nuts etc) are really high in fibre. Fibre is important for our health, however, when consumed in high amounts (and suddenly) it might cause a laxative effect. That s the reason you had diarrhea and frequent bowel movements. Also, increased stomach and intestinal gas (bloating) is a common side effect of a high fibre diet. If the gastrointestinal problems continue for more than a couple of weeks you should consult your physician. Thanks a lot, Gina