Any cleanse not bull?

[slackerinabox]

So I've been dieting non-stop for years to limited results (down 30lbs, need 80 more) and have been frustrated these past few months, after I've given up the fad diets and am doing things the old fashioned way. I'm doing *everything* right diet wise - 1600-1800 calories, logging, limiting red meat, getting moderate exercise (I could do better), and upping my water intake signifcantly - still the scale barely budges and my belly looks bigger and bloated.

I'm in it for the long haul but after some research I realized some of the meds I take back me up. Also, <tmi> my farts are putrid,</tmi> even though I'm eating mostly green veggies and lean protein and nothing weird. Here's the weirdest thing - they smell like meat farts, and it's been a long long time since I've had a steak (I used to be a steak/ribs/burger fiend but less than once a week now, and even then 4 oz).

I feel backed up, but this seems like not a pop an exlax level of constipation, but something more severe and chronic (again, I partly blame the meds I'm on). I don't have abdominal pain, so I don't want to make this a doctor issue since they always seem to just put me on more meds that fuck me up in some other way.

I'm thinking a cleanse would help. I know my healhfood store has an entire row of products, but what works? Or should I .. a hum.. just ride it out?

 

[hightree]

The following type of "cleanse" may help you.

Putrid gas may be caused by a high sulfur content of your diet. So, try to avoid/limit:
- tea
- cocoa (chocolate)
- eggs
- meat
- other high protein foods/powder
More here:
http://www.nutrientsreview.com/minerals/sulfur.html

The smell of the gas may be from sulfur foods, but the gas itself is probably caused by something other:
- foods high in soluble fiber (oats, barley, legumes, some fruits...)
- foods high in sugar alcohols, like sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol, mannitol (in diet soda, sugar-free chewing gum...)
- milk or lactose from protein powders (if you have lactose intolerance)
- fructose from apples, pears, mangoes, soda sweetened by HFCS, honey (if you have fructose malabsorption)

Also check for low-FODMAP diet.

If the above does not help you may want to have some tests for intestinal parasites or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

 

[blackdogdeek]

Do you eat any dairy? You could be lactose intolerant. If you want to try to figure out what your issue is I'd recommend an elimination diet like whole30 where you eat a very restricted set of foods for 30 days. Afterwards, you can start trying to add individual foods back to see what causes the most issue.

 

[pauldun170]

So I've been dieting non-stop for years to limited results (down 30lbs, need 80 more) and have been frustrated these past few months, after I've given up the fad diets and am doing things the old fashioned way. I'm doing *everything* right diet wise - 1600-1800 calories, logging, limiting red meat, getting moderate exercise (I could do better), and upping my water intake signifcantly - still the scale barely budges and my belly looks bigger and bloated.

I'm in it for the long haul but after some research I realized some of the meds I take back me up. Also, <tmi> my farts are putrid,</tmi> even though I'm eating mostly green veggies and lean protein and nothing weird. Here's the weirdest thing - they smell like meat farts, and it's been a long long time since I've had a steak (I used to be a steak/ribs/burger fiend but less than once a week now, and even then 4 oz).

I feel backed up, but this seems like not a pop an exlax level of constipation, but something more severe and chronic (again, I partly blame the meds I'm on). I don't have abdominal pain, so I don't want to make this a doctor issue since they always seem to just put me on more meds that fuck me up in some other way.

I'm thinking a cleanse would help. I know my healhfood store has an entire row of products, but what works? Or should I .. a hum.. just ride it out?

Cleanse products = bull

See a nutritionist. Analyze your intake.
Be aware that sometimes certain food combinations may make you feel "off".
Sometimes its as simple as "Holy shit, my body has a problem with eggs this month!" or "Something is going on this week where sesame seeds make me feel like my intestines are bloated". Foods that you normally have no issues with but sometimes might need to temporarily take a break from

Common troublemakers that occasionally cause issues -
Milk\Cheese\yogurt (Dairy)
Eggs
Anything with seeds in it
Broccoli

 

[Kaido]

Have you done IIFYM? Are you getting any carbs in - oatmeal, etc.? Have you tried probiotics?

 

[slackerinabox]

Have you done IIFYM? Are you getting any carbs in - oatmeal, etc.? Have you tried probiotics?

Just heard of IIFYM here so I'll do more research there. I do have carbs - my go to snack is a handful of the healthiest, grainiest cereal I have. I've upped my fiber intake in general, which I suppose can explain some bloat. I eat yogurt 2x a day, should I specifically look into a probiotics supplement? Lactose intolerance is a possibility, I'm eating more yogurt and 1% milk than in the past. Good suggestions!

 

[slackerinabox]

The following type of "cleanse" may help you.

Putrid gas may be caused by a high sulfur content of your diet. So, try to avoid/limit:
- tea
- cocoa (chocolate)
- eggs
- meat
- other high protein foods/powder
More here:
http://www.nutrientsreview.com/minerals/sulfur.html

The smell of the gas may be from sulfur foods, but the gas itself is probably caused by something other:
- foods high in soluble fiber (oats, barley, legumes, some fruits...)
- foods high in sugar alcohols, like sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol, mannitol (in diet soda, sugar-free chewing gum...)
- milk or lactose from protein powders (if you have lactose intolerance)
- fructose from apples, pears, mangoes, soda sweetened by HFCS, honey (if you have fructose malabsorption)

Also check for low-FODMAP diet.

If the above does not help you may want to have some tests for intestinal parasites or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

Appreciate it - I *have* been taking canned protein shakes for quick meals on the go - they contain a lot of what you're talking about - sugar alcohol, lactose, chocolate . That might be the culprit, but they do help me from making bad choices when I'm in a rush

 

[cbrunny]

If you think it might be straight up constipation, grab that milk of magnesia and give it a go. Plan for a day at the waterpark, so probably a saturday if you work typical M-F. You don't need to stop your usual diet for this method, and it'll clean you out good.

Depending on your current weight, 1600-1800 cals might just be too many. Can you try cutting 100 off your usual for a few days in a row and see how you feel? I've done that with some success. I'm currently ~175, down from 212 at peak with intent on getting to 160, and a longshot goal of 150. I'm 5 ft 6 though. For me, right now I plan for 1200 cals a day plus a few hundred extra depending on the exercise of the day. I'm a data nut so I track cals in and out, hr, steps, etc. closely. That doesn't mean I always make right choices, but it shows in the data when I make wrong ones. Anyway, my point is that at 1200 cals a day I'm starting to see a slow in my progress, and wondering if I need to drop by 100 cals or so. Or if I'm just at a crossroads with muscle mass increasing and body fat decreasing. The latter seems more likely given that I've just changed up my workout regime more than a bit. But just a thought.

 

[hightree]

Appreciate it - I *have* been taking canned protein shakes for quick meals on the go - they contain a lot of what you're talking about - sugar alcohol, lactose, chocolate . That might be the culprit, but they do help me from making bad choices when I'm in a rush

You've mentioned "meat farts," which are also known as "protein farts" or "sulfur gas." It does not matter from where the protein comes: it can be eggs or cheese and most likely the shakes...Proteins from the shakes are no batter than proteins from natural foods. Meat or eggs can cause some smell but at least not gas.

 

[JBT]

Protein, especially "shake" protein can give you gas. It doesn't matter for me if its whey, or vegan.