I've been an ethical vegetarian for around 35 years but have recently decided to become vegan (I've been meaning to do it for a while).
My wife, who is has previously been diagnosed with bowel problems has decided to give it a go too and almost instantly noticed a marked improvement (so possibly has a lactose intolerance); I seem to gone the other way.
I'm experiencing real squiffy bottom problems that just don't seem to want to settle.
Having been vegetarian for so long I've really just substituted soya products for dairy and the amount of fibre in my diet hasn't markedly increased (the usual suggestion for bowel issues and veganism); I was however a massive dairy consumer. I've looked up soya intolerance but this seems to have associated vomiting and skin issues developing soon after eating which I'm not experiencing.
It's been going on for about a month and I did wonder whether the sudden cessation of diary might have upset my gut bacteria so have been taking probiotics (may be snake oil but worth a try).
Is there anything else I can try or do I just persevere?
Its natures way of telling you something.....
Take it easy on the soya. I found a good balance of beans/pulses (and derivatives) after a short while of excessive flatulence. I rarely bother with substitute products like soy milk, yoghurt or mince.
I'd be surprised if your fibre intake hadn't gone up at least a bit.
What about pulses? Chickpeas from a jar are notorious for causing pumping, it's that gloopy liquid they come in. Wash them well or better yet, soak them from dry.
Otherwise, vary your protein sources; to obtain the full range of amino acids you need to eat something other than just soya.
I'd second the above pertaining to chilling on the soya - you could perhaps up the ammount of roughage - I'd personally be eating lots of oats .. Another thing is to make sure your alkaline promoting foods are in abundance - I like lots of squeezed lemon and once a day a tea spoon of bicarbonate of soda in water - you say you've only recently gone vegan - if the catalyst for doing so has in part been stress related remember how stress can be very acid inducing. .
Try elm bark powder. Worked for our dog, not that she's vegan.
Chickpeas!! 😷 😷 Great things, but by cracky they make you fart! Much more, I've found, than beans.
You may have a bug. Or you may be eating too much of one thing? Try varying your diet if so? Try other dairy substitutes, almond, KoKo, aquafaba cream, oat milk, etc?
When you say you consumed 'massive' amounts of dairy how has that translated into your new diet? You presumably aren't gobbing stacks of shop-bought 'vegan cheese'? Or necking jugs of soya milk? Are you eating a lot of sugar? Feeding any cravings?
The only thing that's ever bothered me this year (90% vegan) has been greedily slammimg three bowls of particularly red lentil dahl in one sitting. Similar would happen if I ate three plates of cottage pie or three bowls of soup. Try dark green lentils, they seem to do nothing to me and can eat loads. Eat less wheat? Switch to rye bread (Lidl or Aldi do packs of 100% sliced rye bread for less than a quid, one toasted slice is mega-filling ) for a while?
But to have a gut problem for weeks suggest either a bug or an intolerance?
Maybe do a proper detox/elimination diet for 28 days then re-introduce foodstuffs one at a time? That should identify the culprit.
+1 on slippery elm powder, look it up. Make a gel out of it and add it to your breakfast. My dog has IBD from a shonky bile duct and can get into huge problems with ongoing squits. He gets a lean natural diet now, but if it ever flares up after some scavenged gods-know-what or accidental morsel of factory-treat etc, then we break out the slippery elm powder as a first aid. This normally works a treat and prevents recourse to steroids which is a big bonus and great relief.
A month, in the scheme of things, isn't really a long time (other than for anyone who has to share a duvet with you) so you could maybe just let a bit more time pass - it may be coincidental that the change of diet and the tunny-shames are happening at the same time.
If you were previously quite a heavy dairy consumer then dairy substitutes are a good way of transistioning away from dairy but don't just swap dairy for soya and carry on as before- change your habits/recipies/tastes for meals that don't have dairy in them. In the long run that will save you a fair bit of bother as soya substitute stuff can sometimes be difficult to get hold of, and it'll also save you a fair wedge of cash. The great thing about giving up dairy is you don't run out of milk.
Onions and leeks are both good for you gut bacteria so make sure you're eating plenty of them. If you've got a lot of farty beans/ pulses in your diet theres a herb called Epazote thats used in mexican cooking that seems to have a remarkable ability to de-weaponise farty food.
to obtain the full range of amino acids you need to eat something other than just soya.
No you don't, contains all essential amino acids. Not that I actually use soya very often myself. One thing that might be having an effect is a reduction in fat consumption having given up the dairy. I eat a lot of nuts and seeds as well as pulses and generally things stay in control.
Didn't know that ^, only been vegan since 1998 ☹️
Hemp seeds and buckwheat are also complete proteins I believe
contains all essential amino acids
Sort of, but not really. Contains, Yes. enough of each? No.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11312815
I mix green lentils and whole grains* as complementary protein to get all of the essential aminos. Usually in the same dish, but AFAIK as you long as you eat both during the same day there's no requirement to eat both at the same sitting.
* Usually have brown rice with a lentil dish, ie lentil chilli with pearl barley or casserole served with rice.
Peanut butter on wholewheat toast will also get you there.
is it dinner time yet?
Another thing is to make sure your alkaline promoting foods are in abundance – I like lots of squeezed lemon and once a day a tea spoon of bicarbonate of soda in water
FFS......
Thanks for the thoughts, I'll give things a try.
I guess that my fibre intake will have increased as I'm replacing cottage cheese with rice, bean & vegetable mixes. I'm using soya milk on cereals and in hot drinks with the occasional soya yogurt. My diet is pretty balanced with a lot of variety but I'll may sure to mix it us.
I (and others) have certainly noticed the increase in flatulence!
Jerusalem Artichokes are excellent for gut bacteria.
IANAV