The issue of *clears throat* constipation

[Tricon7]

I've heard many complain about constipation while on Atkins, due to lack of fiber in the diet. I also had this problem, and I've heard various solutions, such as Metamucil powder/ground corn husks/Acme's Patented Pinecone Shavings/etc/etc. If you want to hold your nose and gag it down, that's fine. But I've found that if I take two spoonfuls of plain mineral oil in the morning, and again in the evening, the constipation problem disappears. Voila! And mineral oil has no taste.

I thought I would mention this, as I see the topic brought up occasionally. And to the best of my knowledge, I don't think mineral oil has any carbs.

[msanjelpie]

I had a 65 year old doctor tell me this several years ago... apparently it was used quite often before laxatives became popular... He called it greasing the works...

[liv]

Hmmm I think I will still stick to my veggies as my form of anti constipation control.
4 tbs of oil is a bit too many calories for me to think about.

[Slapshot]

Originally Posted by liv

Hmmm I think I will still stick to my veggies as my form of anti constipation control.
4 tbs of oil is a bit too many calories for me to think about.

I thought about it. 500. Whoa. At 125 cals per TBSP, that's alot....

[kristenv]

Mineral oil is not absorbed by the system and thus I beleive that it does not hold any calories.

Kristen

[Slapshot]

Originally Posted by kristenv

Mineral oil is not absorbed by the system and thus I beleive that it does not hold any calories.

Kristen

Interesting. Learn something new every day here....!

[Georgiana]

Oils were and still are prescribed by doctors for relieving constipation. But 4 tablespoons of mineral oil is a lot! Even with fiber supplements, you should start with 1 tablespoon and increase from there, if necessary.

Most people have problems with constipation during Induction because they don't get enough fiber from their vegetables (or they don't eat vegetables at all, in which case what they are doing is not even Atkins), they don't drink enough water, they don't exercise and/or they don't take a fiber supplement. Taking 4 tablespoons of mineral oil without trying the other methods first or, at least, smaller dosages of oil, is like shooting with a bazooka after a mosquito.

In any case, if anyone suddenly decides to try 4 tbsp of this stuff, I would strongly recommend staying very close to a well-ventilated bathroom and keeping an emergency kit (soap, extra pair of panties, etc.) handy.

[ziggy]

maybe try fresh almonds they have tons of fiber

but the carbs can add up fast if you eat to many

[Tricon7]

Originally Posted by Slapshot

I thought about it. 500. Whoa. At 125 cals per TBSP, that's alot....

I only take about two tablespoons a day, not four. So not as many calories. Besides, I didn't think we counted calories on Atkins.

[Georgiana]

Originally Posted by Tricon7

I only take about two tablespoons a day, not four.

Sorry. I was mislead by this statement of yours:

Originally Posted by Tricon7

I take two spoonfuls of plain mineral oil in the morning, and again in the evening

Originally Posted by Tricon7

Besides, I didn't think we counted calories on Atkins.

Not necessarily important in the context of this thread, but it may save you a headache one day. While we are not required to count calories on Atkins, it does not mean calories are not important. Yes, you might be able to eat a couple hundred calories more than you would otherwise. And yes, you will experience a decreased appetite as a result of ketosis. However, Atkins is not magic---if you consume more calories than you burn, then you will gain weight, regardless of whether you are in ketosis or not.