Digestion issues after switching from cutting to bulking

Nutrition Q&A [Moderated]
1

So this is going straight into TMI territory, but I hope it is still acceptable for this forum. I’m trying to keep it as clean as possible.

Back when I was cutting, I came from unhealthy meal choices and started eating a high-fat diet (~1500kcal with calories from protein/carbs/fat being about 40/20/40%). I made all the meals myself, with dairy, meat, vegetables, eggs and whole-wheat carbs. One of the best things about this new diet was how massively it improved going number 2. It couldn’t have been more perfect.

Now I have started a slow bulk, and so the diet changed as well. I’m now eating a bit more protein and fat, and a lot more carbs (mainly from oats, whole wheat pasta, potatoes and fruits). I’m now eating oats with nuts, milk and a raw egg for breakfast, instead of 3 scrambled eggs. Lunch sandwich is about the same. Afternoon protein shake is now with milk instead of water, and I added a banana and some other fruits. Dinner has less fat but a lot more carbs. Bedtime snack is still a casein milkshake, but now with whole instead of fat-free milk and an additional teaspon of peanut butter. Also, I started taking creatine.

With this new diet, I’m constantly in slightly diarrhea-ish territory, and I don’t know who the culprit is. Could it be the creatine? Or is there such a thing as too much fiber?

Thanks for the help!

2

How much fat are you eating per day and how long have you been on an increased calorie intake?

It is unlikely to be the creatine, though possible.

I also would not be doing casein protein for any particular reason.

3

I’m eating about 170g protein, 200g carbs and 85g fat. I’ve been on this diet for about 2 months now.

4

And this is your “bulking” diet? What do you weigh? Have you had diarrhea for 2 months?

5

Yes, I was 68kg/150lb two months ago and gain about 1kg/2lb per month, now at nearly 70kg.

I don’t have diarrhea, it’s just not as ideal as it was before and I was wondering why that was.

6

Oh and yes, this change happened at the exact time I switched diets, so about two months ago.

Would you suggest to replace some carb calories with fat and see how it goes?

7

The protein in raw fresh eggs isn’t well digested. See “Digestibility of Cooked and Raw Egg Protein in Humans as Assessed by Stable Isotope Techniques” 1998 article in The Journal of Nutrition https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/128/10/1716/4723080 Raw egg whites give dogs the poops (goes right through them.) Maybe that raw egg white is is causing some problems for you.

8

I don’t think I’d be worrying about a single raw egg- you know?

9

Not necessarily. I don’t really know what you’re asking me as your story isn’t clear- you haven’t had diarrhea for 2 months, yet cannot describe what is happening.

If I had to guess, your inclusion of more milk would be the biggest thing if you hadn’t been drinking that before. Try dropkicking that for something else and if whatever is happening still persists, see a doctor.

10

OK, to be a bit clearer: before, I almost always “produced” a perfect 4 on the Bristol stool scale, now it’s sometimes a 4 and sometimes something between 5 and 6.
Re: milk – compared to before, I added 250ml whole-fat milk in addition to 250ml fat-free milk.

11

I remain unconcerned with this change.

If you’re worried, you can see your doctor!

12

Thank you! :slight_smile: I’m not worried, simply trying to optimize.