If you’re reading this, chances are that you’ve experienced the unpleasant consequences of not eating for a prolonged period of time. It’s called going hungry—or in this case, going without food for long enough to get the runs. If you haven’t experienced it before, diarrhea can be quite scary, especially if it happens for the first time and you’re caught unprepared in an unfamiliar place. Not to mention the fact that this condition is one of the most common negative effects of fasting. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent getting diarrhea when fasting and also ways to get out of it faster and with fewer side effects. Here are 5 reasons why you get diarrhea when you don’t eat and what to do about it.
Why Do I Get Diarrhea When I Don’t Eat?
There could be a few reasons why you might get diarrhea when you don’t eat. One possible reason is that not eating can lead to dehydration, which can cause diarrhea. Another possible reason is that not eating can lead to blood sugar highs and lows, which can also cause diarrhea. Finally, not eating can also cause stomach cramps and pain, which can also lead to diarrhea. If you are experiencing this problem, the best thing to do is to try and eat small meals throughout the day to prevent dehydration and blood sugar highs and lows. If this does not help, you may want to see your doctor for further advice.
What Causes Diarrhea When You Don’t Eat?
You’re probably not eating enough calories
You need to consume a certain amount of calories every day to keep your body functioning at a healthy level. If you don’t get enough calories, your body will start breaking down muscle and fat to get the nutrients it needs to survive. If you’re not eating enough calories and you try to do an intermittent fasting regimen, you’re putting yourself at risk of malnutrition and getting the runs. Your best bet is to find a regimen that has been proven to work for other people and stick to it.
Your body is trying to flush out water
As we’ve discussed, a lack of calories can cause the body to start breaking down fat and muscle for the useful nutrients it contains. One of the byproducts of this process is water. When your body is breaking down fat, it releases small molecules called fatty acids. Your liver turns these fatty acids into bile, which is used to break down fat even further and make it easier to digest. Because fats are hydrophobic, they naturally repel water. The more fat that your liver breaks down, the more bile it creates, and the more fat will be repulsed by water. As a result, your kidneys will have to filter more harmful fats out of your blood. This can cause your body to retain more water and make you bloated. As a result, your intestines will also hold on to more water. This will cause frequent bowel movements and can result in diarrhea.
You’re fasting too quickly
If you’re fasting for too long and your body isn’t getting the nutrients it needs to function properly, it’ll start shedding fat and muscle tissues for the energy it needs to survive. This is why many people who try to go on crash diets and extreme fasting regimens end up losing weight very quickly and see a dramatic drop on the scale. Fasting for too long and not eating enough calories can cause your body to break down muscle and fat. When this happens, the liver will excrete high levels of amino acids into the blood. Fasting for more than 24 hours can cause your body to retain water, which can lead to frequent bowel movements and diarrhea. This can happen even if you’re eating enough calories and following a healthy diet.
Your body is breaking down muscle instead of fat
If you’re fasting for too long, your body will switch to using muscle tissue for energy. This happens because your body needs glucose to function and convert food into energy. Muscle tissue contains lots of glycogen, which is a form of glucose. As we’ve discussed, fasting for too long can cause your body to break down fat for energy as well. Depending on your body type, you might be more prone to breaking down muscle instead of fat for energy. If you’re fasting for a short period of time (with the exception of intermittent fasting regimens), this side effect is unlikely to happen.
What Should You Do About It?
- If you’ve experienced the side effects of not eating for an extended period of time, you’re probably already looking for ways to get out of it as quickly as possible. Here are a few tips to get rid of diarrhea faster and with fewer side effects: Let’s start with the obvious one: eat. Let’s be honest, eating is the easiest way to get out of this condition. The longer you go without eating, the more likely you are to get the runs.
- If you’ve fasted for a few hours, you might be able to get away with skipping a meal. If you’ve gone a whole day without eating, you should eat something healthy as soon as possible.
- If you’ve gone a few days without eating, you’ll want to start with a light diet. Don’t go for complex carbohydrates like pasta and bread just yet—start with easy-to-digest fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables contain lots of water and fiber, so they’ll help keep your bowels healthy.
How To Prevent Diarrhea When Fasting?
- There are a few things you can do to prevent getting diarrhea when fasting. First and foremost, make sure you are drinking enough water. You should be drinking about half a gallon of water per day, even when you’re not fasting.
- This will help flush your system out and prevent dehydration. Secondly, make sure you’re eating enough fiber. Y
- You don’t need to eat a lot of it, just enough to keep your system regular without causing constipation.
- Finally, eat food that is easy to digest. This means eating food that contains less fat. You can eat plenty of vegetables and some fruits, as well as whole grains and legumes.
How To Get Out Of The Worst Of Diarrhea During Fasting?
- The best way to get out of the worst of diarrhea during fasting is to simply wait it out. Drink plenty of water and try to eat a healthy diet, especially if you’re fasting for health reasons.
- If you are fasting for religious reasons, this will vary depending on the individual and their beliefs.
- If you have been fasting and it’s not getting better, you should stop fasting and speak to a doctor. You don’t want to do any damage to your system in the long run, nor do you want to be dehydrated.
Conclusion
Fasting is a very effective way to lose weight and cleanse your body of harmful toxins and impurities. It’s a great way to jumpstart your journey towards a healthier lifestyle. If you’re planning on going on a short or long-term fast, make sure that you’re consuming enough calories and nutrients. While fasting, try to avoid drinking too much water. Keep in mind that the human body is incredibly adaptive. After a few days without eating, your body will begin to adapt to the changes and crave less food. But if you don’t eat enough calories or engage in a healthy fasting regimen, you’re putting yourself at risk of getting the runs.
