Photo: Ron Lach

What does ketosis poop look like?

Keto and Yellow (or Smelly) Poop. Yellow or particularly smelly poop is another side effect you may experience after taking on a low-carb, high-fat, high-protein diet. As with symptoms of diarrhea, your stool can become yellow in color or foul in odor due to excess fat, according to the Mayo Clinic.

livestrong.com - 3 Ways Low-Carb Diets Like Keto Can Change Your Poop (and When to ...

What liquid is best for chili?

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor...

Last updated Apr 11, 2022

Do carrots cause gas and bloating?

Fruits and vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, prunes, and apricots. These items contain sugars and starches that...

Last updated May 24, 2022

Promotion

Some say the eyes are a window to the soul. And while this romantic notion is up for debate, your poop is definitely a window to your health.

Video of the Day

Your bowel movements are closely related to the foods you eat — or don't eat. Which is why the keto diet can disrupt your usual restroom routine. Read on for three ways keto can change your poop and what that means for your health.

1. Keto Constipation

If you're someone that has lived most of your life enjoying a variety of fruits and whole grains, you probably also enjoyed the luxury (yes, it's a luxury) of regular digestion. But once you banish these carbs from your diet, your fiber intake takes a big hit, too, according to Niket Sonpal, MD, a New York-based internist and gastroenterologist. Fiber is the nutrient responsible for keeping your poops consistent, and in order to maintain regularity, you should aim to eat about 25 grams of fiber per day, according to the FDA. But when you cut carbs, you also cut a lot of key fiber sources, like whole grains, fruits and legumes. So, if you adopt a low-carb, high-fat/protein diet, don't be surprised if you see a reduced number of bowel movements each week, Dr. Sonpal says. You can combat these effects by eating more high-fiber low-carb foods, like avocados (about 10 grams of fiber per cup) or raspberries (about 8 grams per cup). ‌When to worry:‌ If you fall below three bowel movements per week, you'll want to consult your doctor, advises Dr. Sonpal. Especially if your movements were more frequent before you began the diet.

2. Keto Diarrhea

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, some people might experience bouts of diarrhea after starting a low-carb, high-fat diet, Dr. Sonpal says. "This happens when the body doesn't digest all the fat that it is consuming, leading to an upset stomach," he explains. Chronic diarrhea may also be a sign of steatorrhea, which is when you have too much fat in your stool, according to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders. Statorrhea is a sign of malabsorption, which happens when your body doesn't break down or absorb the foods and nutrients you consume. Over time, this can lead to nutrient deficiency or dehydration. Steatorrhea can be caused by a variety of factors, according to an October 2019 study published in ‌StatPearls‌. But if you only began experiencing symptoms after dramatically shifting your diet, it's probably the reason you're experiencing diarrhea.

What foods are toxic to dogs?

Toxic food for dogs Onions, garlic and chives. The onion family, whether dry, raw or cooked, is particularly toxic to dogs and can cause...

Last updated Sep 27, 2021

Can 1 day throw you out of ketosis?

The number of carbs needed to kick you out of ketosis can depend on the person and how long you've been doing keto. But, it's safe to say that any...

Last updated Nov 16, 2019

Promotion

‌When to worry:‌ Typically, keto diarrhea is temporary and can be avoided by introducing the diet slowly. But if these symptoms persist longer than a few days, it's probably best to consult your doctor and revert back to your usual eating habits.

3. Keto and Yellow (or Smelly) Poop

Yellow or particularly smelly poop is another side effect you may experience after taking on a low-carb, high-fat, high-protein diet. As with symptoms of diarrhea, your stool can become yellow in color or foul in odor due to excess fat, according to the Mayo Clinic. While yellow or foul-smelling poop isn't dangerous per se, it does indicate that your intestines aren't absorbing enough nutrients or your liver isn't producing enough bile to break down the fat in your diet, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center. ‌When to worry:‌ If your poop doesn't return to a normal color after a few days, it's probably best to consult your doctor.

What Does This Mean for Your Diet?

While the keto diet can help you lose weight, it may not be the best diet for your body if you're experiencing problematic digestion. "It may be helpful in losing stubborn weight, but it may be dangerous if you have a chronic condition like IBS," Dr. Sonpal says. If you experience digestive issues on keto, consult your doctor, who can suggest other weight-loss plans that might be healthier for you.

livestrong.com - 3 Ways Low-Carb Diets Like Keto Can Change Your Poop (and When to ...

Do female smell more than males?

The results of our meta-analysis indicate that women generally outperform men in olfactory abilities. What is more, they do so in every aspect of...

Last updated Jul 17, 2019

How much weight can you lose in 3 months on keto?

25 pounds After 3 months of keto As long as you keep up your efforts, you should be able to lose as much as 25 pounds of weight within 3 months and...

Last updated Aug 31, 2019

Promotion

Will I gain weight if I break keto for one day?

Going off a keto diet is likely not detrimental. Just because you start eating carbs again, especially just for one day, doesn't mean you will...

Last updated Apr 4, 2022

Promotion

What foods satisfy chip cravings?

What To Eat When You're Craving Chips: Apples. Carrots. Celery (maybe with nut butter?) Nuts. Roasted Chickpeas (these are GREAT!) Organic popcorn....

Last updated Feb 8, 2020