My digestion however is a little off and of course when it comes to poop it makes me wonder..."What's going on?"
Side note: You should always think "what's going on?" when your bowel movements change, even slightly. I sincerely hope you will wonder when you have explosive diarrhea, but subtle changes mean things too....consistency, frequency, buoyancy, hard to pass, runny, lumpy, oh and color and odor too, take note, ESPECIALLY if it different from your norm. Need more poop advice read my post Your Farts and Poop Are Talking to You.
In the wondering, I thought, " Duh, crazy rush of nutrient-goodness passing through me," hence the poop rush. I am not talking explosive diarrhea by any means, no pain or discomfort either, just more frequency and a little runnier than normal. My theory is that the influx of goodness in all that kale, carrot, ginger, parsley drinking and loads of added fiber, in the form of chia seeds, flax seeds, flax oil, sunflower seeds, etc., in my smoothies, is getting everything moving. And that is a good thing!! You don't want waste sitting around inside for too long - it causes more problems than just a stink-bomb left behind in the bathroom after you flush. You wanna get that stink out!
I also recall a while ago that I went to a recently opened juice place nearby, so excited there was such a place in our wee town, and I got diarrhea right after. At the time I blamed it on the establishment for sanitary purposes or contamination, but perhaps not. Maybe it was just something my body needed and all that good was flushing out the bad. (Although I do recall some cramping - ie not good (see below)).
I have another theory when it comes to nutrient-rich goodness, that I will leave you with before you read this helpful article: the more repulsed you are by something or the worse it tastes, the more your body needs it!!
Crazy thinking perhaps? I dunno...but think of it this way, when we are talking about good-for-you-foods, like green juice, or bitter greens, or kimchee, or wheatgrass (especially wheatgrass) there are times where it tastes downright yucky, and other times you love it (OK maybe just like it). My thought is eat it, drink it, as much of "it" as you can when it is yucky to you, it means your body needs to to flush out the yucky inside.
Cogitate on that...and read a little more about digestive upset with changes in diet with juicing from www.rebootwithjoe.com.
Juicing and Digestive Upsets
Sometimes when people start juicing in addition to their normal diet or on a Reboot, they can experience many different digestive upsets or changes. This comes from making any type of dietary change such as including more fruits and vegetables in the diet, different fiber content, foods that may be stimulating the liver and gallbladder, new foods that may irritate an already irritated stomach or intestinal lining, new flavors and textures and detoxification symptoms.
These changes or upsets are almost always temporary. As your body adjusts to any type of new plan or dietary change the irritation or symptoms will stop. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, bloating, flatulence, reflux, bad breath, increased odor to bowel motions and urine, mucus in the stool, constipation, diarrhea and worsening IBS symptoms. All these symptoms will depend and vary person to person.
Often a person’s weak point will be aggravated during a Reboot and in many cases it can be the digestive system.
Here is a list of suggestions to help with any upsets that may be occurring:
1.) It is very important for any symptoms experienced to make sure you are including plenty of additional water as well as your juices. This can lessen the detoxification symptoms experienced.
1.) It is very important for any symptoms experienced to make sure you are including plenty of additional water as well as your juices. This can lessen the detoxification symptoms experienced.
2.) If any juices are too strong and potent and you feel are upsetting you then I would suggest trying them diluted as you get use to them. Such as a 50% dilution with water then slowly increase the amount of juice consumed with less water.
3.) Including warm/hot water with fresh lemon and freshly grated ginger can reduce nausea and vomiting. Ginger is also considered a herbal carminative which means that it will reduce irritation to the gastro-intestinal lining and it will reduce nausea.
4.) Removing or reducing the gas causing vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, broccoli, onions and garlic. This is due to the high sulphur content although cabbage traditionally has been shown to reduce ulcers (very old studies) and irritation as it contains high amounts of glutamine so in some cases cabbage juice may help rather than aggravate but this can vary person to person.
5.) Drinking smaller quantities more frequently can help symptoms experienced such as 10oz (300mls) 6-12 times daily.
6.) Chamomile, Peppermint, Licorice, Spearmint, Aniseed and Fennel tea – these carminative herbal teas can reduce reflux, abdominal cramps, flatulence, bloating and IBS.
7.) Marshmallow root tea is an excellent soothing agent although this needs to be simmered on the stove top for 15 mintues rather than steeped.
8.) Fruits and Vegetables to reduce irritation – fennel, apple due to its pectin content, celery, pear and cabbage.
9.) Including herbs & spices in your juice – such as ginger, turmeric, parsley and mint (not all in one juice) these are particularly beneficial for any digestive upsets.
10.) Vegetable Broth & Thai Infused Vegetable broth – also adding some extra freshly grated ginger as you simmer the vegetable pulp may help any upsets. Warming foods can reduce upsets.
11.) L-Glutamine can be useful to reduce irritation to the stomach and intestines. L-Glutamine is food for the intestinal villi and can help improve the integrity of the mucus membranes of the digestive tract.
12.) Slippery Elm – is an excellent demulcent fiber that will reduce inflammation in the throat, stomach, intestines and large bowel. As this fiber passes through the digestive tract due to the polysaccharide content it reduces irritation on contact.
13.) Aloe Vera – This is also very healing to the mucus membranes of the digestive tract. Aloe Vera also contains polysaccharides that have been shown to improve the integrity of the digestive lining and reduce inflammation and improve nutrient absorption.
14.) Probiotics – these very specialised bacterium will help reduce inflammation, stool formation and will enhance gastric mucosal function.
15.) Gentle exercise such as walking, yoga and stretching has been shown to reduce stomach and digestive upsets.
16.) Unfortunately, stress can have a significant negative effect on the digestive system so any type of healthy activity to reduce stress is always an excellent idea such as mediating, reading, gardening, taking a bath containing Epsom salts, having a foot massage etc…whatever activity that helps you to switch for mind off.
Note: Any suggestions can have the opposite effect in some small groups of people. If this occurs, stop immediately.
