Whey protein = constipation?

Sorry, gross, I know....

I'm a pescetarian (I eat fish, eggs, and cheese but no other meat) and I've recently started drinking 1 whey protein shake a day in order to add more protein to my diet (and also because I weight lift 3x a week). Since I've begun doing this, I notice I'm having major trouble with #2. I thought at first that I wasn't getting enough fiber, but after some analysis (and the addition of a serving of fiber one to my diet), I'm thinking this isn't the problem. I'm extremely bloated and uncomfortable and I feel like I've put on 5lbs and have a major food baby all the time! :( I drink upwards of 60 ozs of water a day so I don't think it's a problem related to the fiber/not enough water.

Has anyone else experienced this? Should I switch to soy protein? I worry about too much soy intake...

For reference, I've drank Designer whey protein in chocolate, and GNC 100% Whey Protein in vanilla.

Oh and in case it matters...I'm 5'3"ish (a little shorter), 120lbs, female.

I actually had a similar problem when I first started drinking protein shakes. I would get Whey Protein shakes at my gym sometimes and I made Isopure Zero Carb shakes for myself in the morning. I always felt very bloated and gassy and sometimes even a little nauseous. I think it was just my body getting used to them. Now, they don't bother me at all. In fact they almost have the opposite effect and make me want to go to the bathroom. My new problem is all the bananas I am eating and using in my shakes. Constipation is def a side effect with those.

I would say to wait a few weeks and if you are still having issues, then try a new protein.It's all just trial and error with this healthy food and diet thing. What works for you might not work for me and vice versa. It's hard work, but it's worth it.

Good luck!

What do you recommend I do in the meantime as I continue to drink these things?  I'm bloated, uncomfortable, gassy...it's pretty horrible.  :(

Trust me I remember the feeling. It sucked. I almost gave up on protein shakes, but I'm so glad I didn't b/c now I love them. It's such a great mid afternoon snack to keep me full and prepare me for the gym. I don't know how much powder you're putting in your shake, but I would try to cut it down. If it recommends 2 scoops, I only put 1 scoop or even 3/4. That helped me alot. I realized my stomach couldn't handle too much protein at once. Even now, I still barely put a full scoop in my shake, and I mix it with water, no milk.

I do 1/2 a scoop with my oatmeal & flaxseed in the morning, and then another 1/2 before the gym, just mixed with water.  If I feel like I worked particularly hard and won't be eating too much protein for dinner I take another 1/2 scoop.

Maybe your body is still adjusting to it. One girl at the gym mentioned something about how lactose in the protein powder can upset your stomach. I don't know if all powders have lactose or what, but check out the label and see if that could be it. Other than that I don't know. If you've tried it for a few weeks or a month and you're still uncomfortable, try another kind. It's all trial and error. Same with any supplements- fat burners, proteins, etc.

Hey made to shine!

geminitwin37 totally has it down!

I follow a similar diet the only difference being I also eat poultry and I use the GNC 100% Whey Protein in vanilla too and I never had your problem BUT here in lies the difference. I HATE THE TASTE OF WHEY PROTEIN SHAKES!

So much so I could puke thinking about it.

So I hide it in other things. I measure in teaspoons but I manage to get it in and still reap the benefits. I mix it in to plain yogurt, oatmeal, pancake batter, smoothies, milk when i pour it over cereal. You get the jist anything that seems feasibly would work with vanilla flavor I add it to. Perhaps I never had "the problem" because of the way I am using it.

Small doses!

I have my clients use it this way too and I haven't had any of them complain about being constipated.

I usually use 1-3 tsp.  A tsp of Whey powder has approximately 10 calories and 1.5 grams of protein.

Did you do anything to alleviate this, like take a laxative or stool softener?

GOD this topic is so gross for a public forum haha.  I've never had problems like this before and I'm freaked out about taking anything for it.  

Eat prunes. They're natural and have lots of fiber. Nature's laxative, haha

I've never had this problem.  I drink Designer Whey French Vanilla and have had "natural" flavor too.  I generally put my protein in 6 oz of orange juice for the carb boost.  It tastes really good, like creamsicle. 

I am trying store brand metamucil (psyillium fiber) for the opposite problem, I "go" too often, like I'm never finishing.  (tmi, I know) 

Try soy protein and see if there is any difference.  Frankly, for me, I would have bloating with soy and not whey.  So, we all have different sensitivities. 

I ate prunes and a huge salad for dinner, and another serving of Fiber One.  Still nothing!  My stomach looks GIGANTIC.  This is hell.  I can't deal with this for a couple more weeks. :(

Protein powders are made of whey and often contain artificial sweetners, both of which can hurt your tummy.  This may or may not be something you can remedy.  I would recommend trying a different brand, splitting up your shakes into at least two, smaller portions, and sipping them slowly. 

GNC Whey Isolate doesn't do that to me. I have tried different protein shakes and also Slim Fast and the lactose & chemicals in them made me bloat and I would get so sick.

Whey is different somehow and it is low in carbs too.

As for your problem now - Milk of Magnesia. You can try prunes but MOM will definitely relieve your problem!

Thanks for the advice, pgm012197. I'm going to stick with it since I think it's wasteful to throw out an entire huge tub of this stuff, I'll just ease off a little bit until I can digest it better.  I'll hit up CVS later and give Milk of Magnesia a try!

There is always Dieters green tea, sometimes called ballerina tea. When ever it's been too long since I've had a good BM I take that at night, and it wakes me up in the morn nice and smooth. It's also pretty natural as well.

I just added 1 serving of this (chocolate) whey protein to my diet about a month ago along with more chicken to hit at least 1 g or protein per lb of body weight:  http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/item/84161.h tml

Initially I actually felt a bit more gassy but I'm not sure if that was the whey or the increase in overall protein in my diet.  Anyway, not sure if you're a coffee drinker, but I mix mine into my coffee every morning for a protein mocha.  I've found that coffee actually helps with regularity.  I would guess that's because of the caffeine which, according to wikipedia:

"Caffeine relaxes the internal anal sphincter muscles and thus should be avoided by those with fecal incontinence.[62]"

You can find this and link to reference at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine     under "Effects when taken in moderation".  

If you never drink coffee, I recommend staying away from it in the afternoon / evening to prevent disruptions to your sleep pattern.  I too limit it to the morning.

hmm, no whey has never done that too me. but you do have to drink more water. and that never hurts with a processed food. are you lactose intolerant, cuz some whey manufacturers dont actually remove a lot of the lactate, its supposedly standard that it happens during the processing, but who knows with these companies.

i took maximuscle whey and even drank it the morning of a hangover & it actually helped my stomach which usually get dodgy with hangovers. so maybe you need to find another source.

EDIT: and it didnt have any other stuff in it. i know they do one called promax which has whey, green tea & some other stuff.  but they do have one where its only whey.

I am a Whey Protein freak with IBS.  What helps me is taking a small drink of Mineral Oil before I go to bed at night.  I never have trouble going to the bathroom due to the mineral oil and I seriously drink 4 to 5 shakes a day because many times I don't have time to eat.  I have to eat at least 16-1700 calories a day because I work out an hour a day.  I quit smoking and gained 15lbs and finally lost it and am back to my healthy weight of 150, at 5'6 and a gym eat I am in great shape, all muscle and tone and lots has to do with protein shakes.  Seriously I advocate them to anyone that wants to lose weight and tone up.  Good luck, but seriously, one small sip of mineral oil will help you to go, no cramping or pains either.

Read this:http://www.freeacnebook.com/constipation.htm

All you have to do is eat a lot more fruits. Fibre actually can make the situation worse.

Tamarind is a kind of fruit that can help with spastic constipation. It is a kind of natural laxatives that does not damage your colon. Have a drink of tamarind juice everyday before you sleep. That should deal with the problem.