When do bowels start really moving?

[Klarissa]

For 3 weeks I was eating vegan diet, low in processed foods. I only had 1 small bowel movement a day. It’s seems as though only <1/4 of what I eat comes out the other end. Now that I’m going 100% raw how long should it take for my bowels to start moving properly? And if 3lt water and extra fibre don’t work what do I do then?

[walnutty]

Make GREEN SMOOTHIES!!! They really get things moving!

[rayofsunshine]

I agree with the above post. Green smoothies!!

[raven]

Green smoothies and green juices help tremendously. Also, you have to build a gutful of healthy bacteria. That's the key to good digestion and elimination. It can take awhile for your body to become more efficient so it's hard to say. If you're having difficulties with elimination, there are many steps you can take. Why don't you see how you do with raw and take it from there. A lot of watery foods may be better than dense, concentrated foods.

Suzy

[MOTH]

I LOOOVE my bowel movements; I have so many a day and they are all effortless.

I eat mostly fruit; with greens at night to stabilize.

[ShantiLove]

Grounded flaxseeds. Smoothies with fruits and greens like allready surgested. Go slow on nuts in the begining and slowly increase. Exercise. Lots of fruits. And water ofcourse ;)

[srsarri]

Klarissa, My bowels did not want to budge EVER before raw. It was SOO hard. (literally:eek:) AND THEN, I asked the same question, and this little angel named LUCY!! came along and told me to start drinking green smoothies! SO, I went ahead and made myself a 40oz green smoothie and started sipping away! WELL, NOT TO BE GROSS but, I immediately emptied, I was so shocked at how much came out of me I almost wanted to have my boyfriend come look! HAHAHAHHA LOL!!!! I was so proud! ROFL!!! I think its so funny, its like "the poop chronicles!".

It may not happen for you as fast as it did for me but try it!!

[RawYorkCity]

srsarri that is so funny! :D

Currently I don't have access to green smoothies, so it took me a bit longer for my bowels to get going (trust me they're going now!). Make sure to have as much water as you need, fruit (detoxing), and a healthy mind set. Also, try to maintain proper food combination. My method to jump starting the bowel movement is prunes/prune juice. In time everything will work out, so keep at it!

[Raw Angel Mom]

CHEW..... and i support the green smoothie. Increase your intake of water. You need the water to get that stuff out. You can as soon as you wake up the first thing in the morning is to have a very large glass of water.

Best wishes.

[Riiiya]

yes that is a problem indeeeed!

green smoothies are great. but for me- the best thing ever is 2 huuuge water glasses as i wake up (it may be hard sometimes to drink all that but i just make myself)..perhaps some sea salt/lemon/cucumber added for taste ........ and wooooooooooooooooooooah! usually it takes me about 10 min. to start running toward the restroom :D

[MelissaO]

green smoothies,apples and pears during the day and lots of water. For me lack of water = constipation:(

[Klarissa]

Thanks for all the replies. I will google a green smoothie recipe.

This will sound weird but id love to do an initial clean out and was thinking of getting a ‘colonoscopy prep kit’ from the chemist…. Its sure to clean you out 100%, id have to take probiotics for a long time after that. Imagine getting all 4 – 10lb out of your guts within a day, but would it get everything out? Even what’s been fused to the intestinal walls for years?

[raven]

It's a great idea to clean the colon and there are better ways to go than the prep kits in the pharmacy which contain dangerous substances. They don't really clean out years of accumulated debris. I'm sure members here can recommend safer and more effective programs.

[MOTH]

I really had not realized the joy of a satisfying bowel movement until I went completely raw.

Now everytime I take a poo, it liberates my soul.

[Mango]

I am so jealous! I have been 100% raw for over 2 months now and still have a hard time going. The green smoothies don't even help :(.

[srsarri]

Too many nuts and seeds mango?

Im having awful issues with nuts and seeds!

[MOTH]

I am so jealous! I have been 100% raw for over 2 months now and still have a hard time going. The green smoothies don't even help :(.

I'm sure for me it's the fruits and the fact that I don't eat hardly any seeds and no nuts. I eat A LOT of fruit, pounds and pounds of it in a day, 11 bananas for a meal for example, or five or six apples, or three mangos, and then use salads as my last meal of the dayas a 'stabilizer' for the fruit energy.

I go to the bathroom everytime I put something in my mouth now, including water - triggers a hearty bowel movement.

Sometimes I think I go to the bathroom TOO MUCH; but it feels pretty awesome to know that things are flowing inside.

Plus I am 10 months raw now - I think it took some time and the increase in calories via fruit to really get my digestive system cranking.

[rawstrength]

green smoothies,apples and pears during the day and lots of water. For me lack of water = constipation:(

Yes! Water is so vital! I find that when I skimp on water, then I can't go :( . But at all other times I am fine.

[cara4art]

All good suggestions here, but I'll add two more words that worked for me - CHIA SEEDS, in the green smoothies! I thought flax seeds were good, but the chia seeds really made a big difference, and especially with pre-soaking them before adding to my smoothies. When you treat the chia seeds in this way, they are very hydrophilic bringing in 10 times their weight in water, making them superb hydrators for the insides. Also, the type of fiber in these seeds really help sweep the intestines and make things much easier to eliminate - all good! Here's one more suggestion, certain yoga poses like twisting positions as these massage the internal organs stimulating peristalsis. Good luck - I know it's a drag when you don't go enough, and how much better it feels when you do! It's an instant "high" after one has had a great BM, without TMI here - LOL! Ever notice how a cat runs around all energetic after it has used the litter box?

[Mango]

No, it's not too much nuts and seeds. I am trying to follow the low fat raw plan. I can't seem to lose weight when I have too much fat. Low fat raw works best for me now. Even though I do have some higher fat treats once a week or so.

This morning I tried drinking about 32oz. of water right after I woke up and still nothing *sigh*. Oh well, hopefully things will work better eventually. I have had that emptying feeling on a couple of occasions and it is a great feeling. I would love to have that everyday.

[Raw Angel Mom]

You can try a home enema or go see a colon therapist that do water gravity and no pumping. If you are constipated, your guts are probably very bruised and you need to be careful. This is always a good idea to get some help but make sure to take prohobitic supplement to restore the good bacteria after.

If you do a search on this raw food talk, there are already many green smoothie receipe. www.rawfoodfamily.com do have nice information with green smoothies.

Best wishes

[juliesvoyage2]

That link didn't work. Hmmm....?

[LotsaRaw]

There have been a number of posts on this forum regarding BMs...I am asking this for clarification: Do many people NOT "poo" several times a day? (whether RAW or SAD) For some reason I thought constipation was only for little old ladies (laxative commercials) I have had changes since RAW (quantity!) but am still very regular. Many posts on this topic have me to have these looks: :eek: or :confused:

[aslraw]

Try Alissa's Flax Cracker recipe in her book. WOW!! I have always had problems and went raw 9 days ago and still nothing. Even with green smoothies. But the crackers worked! :D

[jurence]

For the first 2 weeks I only pooped maybe three or four times. Now It is threeish times a day, small and quick.