Hi Mikayla I put some ideas on the Southern site–Metamucil was recommended by a friend’s surgeon and I am a great fan of 2 kiwi fruit every morning ( and I don’t count them as part of my fasting calories because I get great bang for my bucks–so to speak

I stopped the 5/2 a few weeks ago because of the constipation. It really scared me and bummed me out because I liked 5/2 a lot otherwise. I want to start again. I drank a lot of water and ate plenty of fiber. I ate protein on my fast days which Dr. Mosley said was important to keep regular. I have only been constipated once in my life and that was when I was pregnant! I like the idea of this survey and would love to hear that the constipation goes away (without laxative!). Thanks for starting the survey. Are you doing any better?

I have been on the diet for 5 weeks now and the constipation thing is REALLY getting to me. It has been going on the whole time and every fast day kicks it off again! I have flaxseed (linseed) on porridge on non fast day and have started psyllin husk (one teaspoon in water) twice a day all week. The thing is I have tripled my veggie intake across the week and am eating way more lentils and beans. In fact my diet across the board has been vastly improved (much less protein in the form of chicken etc) so why am I constipated all the time? I complained to my GP who said to take Movicol but I hate to take laxatives everyday …not that it seems to be doing much
curiously my GP didn’t seem concerned about the constipation at all

hm not sure about the magnesium theory. I have been taking magnesium supplements for ages (fibromylia) and I didn’t have a problem with constipation before 5:2 diet. I feel like everyone else is finding fasting relatively easy while I really really struggle with it… feel aweful and constipated which is a shame as I really love the whole idea

Hi all,
Magnesium oxide does the trick,not magnesium citrate which is a good suppliment for those who drink much water and get /may get cramps in legs for example. I don’t know if the names are written right in English but try to figure out what I mean.
Tuula L

I have found that drinking a couple of glasses of water first thing in the morning helps with the issue.

Hi all, I had awful constipation on the 5;2 whilst doing a low carb plan the other days. I completely cut out bread, rice, pasta, potatoes. But recently I have reintroduced potatoes some days. They are what keeps me regular and more effective than veg or fruit , and anything is better than that constipated feeling!!!

Hi Guys
Try Chia Seeds for this problem but go carefully, it can have explosive results!! I buy ground Chia Seeds from my Health Food Store and the suggested daily recommendation is to take up to 15g but I find just 5g on top of my porridge does the job! I also take a little stewed rhubarb with a few drops of liquid stevia with low fat yogurt which also helps. I hope you find this useful, nothing is as bad as that awful bunged up feeling.

You might see from my post below that I suffer from constipation caused more by IBS that my food. However last year I did the Whole30 an illumination diet. Since I have given up wheat and most grains I no longer have constipation. In place of wheat products I eat more vegetables and fruit.

If you have bloating say four hours after eating as I did it is most probably wheat. I can’t tell you how much better I feel. My weight is pretty stable and I just fast once a week.

Having read through all the posts above, I can’t see that anyone mentions the need for a little fat in the diet. After many years following a low fat diet and suffering with constant constipation, I read last year how important ‘good’ fat is in our diets. Butter, full fat milk, full fat yoghurt, coconut oil, olive oil and other unrefined oils and avocado (all in sensible quantities of course). Whilst I accept on a fast day any fat could use up a significant chunk of 500 calories, I suggest building more fat into non fast days. I have started eating a small avocado or half a large most days and that has made an amazing difference for me. A lovely meal is a slice of wholemeal toast topped with crushed avocado with poached egg on top. About 400 calories and very nutritious. Lots of fibre from fruit and veg, grains etc. are absolutely necessary and a little fat helps its journey through the digestive system. Another thing to consider is how our modern day lavatory design is not helping. See this link for a very informative little video. Since watching this, I find crouching right over and reading a book placed on the floor is a good distraction and helps me. http://www.squattypotty.co.uk/ Anyway, all the best for a lovely Easter.