Over the years, I’ve created many articles and podcasts about different aspects of digestion. I’ve looked at some of the reasons digestive issues occur in recovery. I’ve talked about the benefits of eating slowly. I’ve explained about “leaky gut” and one of the reasons it may occur. I’ve waded into the “raw-food-is-best” debate and mentioned the problems raw vegetables can cause for some people. I’ve gone into greater detail on some of my solo podcasts by looking at the potential drivers for bloating and discussing how digestion is impacted on by carbohydrates, protein, and fats. I’ve even covered what your stools can tell you about your digestion.

There’s a reason I’ve spent so much time covering this topic: Digestive issues are almost universal with the clients I see. Despite a real mix of reasons people work with me, some form of digestive complaint is almost always present.

If you haven’t done so before, I’d highly recommend going back through the previous content that is linked to as part of this piece. But today I want to touch on some other ideas connected to digestion that I haven’t covered previously, related to reintroducing foods after restriction.

Loose stools

In my previous article on digestive issues in recovery, much of the focus was on digestion being impaired and thus causing a slow transit time, with a tendency towards constipation.

Well, this isn’t the only reaction clients have. Often, when new foods are reintroduced or when overall calories are increased, the initial response to this is loose stools and faster transit time.

In a sense, it’s almost like the body has forgotten how to digest these foods that have been absent for so long.

Clients often find themselves in this place due to restriction. They removed foods because they believed they were “bad” or “unhealthy” and now their diet is much more limited.

When they reintroduce a specific food and then get a reaction, it feels like it confirms their fear and makes them think, “see, this is why I should avoid this food!”

But the reality is, this may just be a temporary response. The body is out of practice with this food and in the beginning, it doesn’t do so well. But by continuing to include these foods, digestion improves and the body learns to be able to digest it again.

Stress-Induced Loose Stools

Often when working with a client they are making progress with their digestion. They are now able to eat more food and more variety.

But suddenly symptoms get worse again. They are back going to the toilet many times a day, where there’s urgency and their stools are loose.

Whenever this happens, I’ll ask what’s been happening in their life. And invariably stress has happened.

One of their kids has been sick and this makes life feel infinitely more difficult. 

There’s a project at work that’s due. At the end of the week, they have a number of meetings and presentations related to it. They’re overwhelmed. 

They have to move house on the weekend and they’re frantically trying to organise everything.

Body Discomfort

Another stressor that can also have a big impact is body discomfort.

At the root of many clients eating issues is body dissatisfaction. This gnawing feeling of not being enough and the manipulation of their food as a way of trying to modulate this feeling.

By working with clients on their thoughts and beliefs, they do change how they see their body for the better. But this definitely isn’t a linear process and whilst on the journey, there are many peaks and valleys.

Just like with other stressors, feeling triggered or having body image become more of a struggle can lead to digestion worsening.

Sometimes these different stressors impact on the type of food or the amount of food the client is eating. Their intake may unintentionally drop and this is part of the reason for digestion becoming worse again.

But often this isn’t the case. This added stress alone, with no other change to their eating, is enough mess up their digestion.

Now historically, this is when they would have started to play around with their diet.

Am I eating too much bread? Maybe I can’t really tolerate dairy? I think I’m eating too much sugar?

They start to question what they’re eating and where they should make changes. In these moments I’m able to help the clients see that their issue isn’t food related, but life-related.

Sometimes they can do something about it immediately. By meditating, going for a short walk before meals or getting more sleep, they notice digestion improves.

Other times, they just need to wait it out. Once their kid is better, the meetings are over, they are in their new house or the body discomfort has passed, the stress is gone and the issue remedies itself.

How You Think About Your Food

Interestingly, this can be what is happening at the start point of making changes. It’s not just that the body is not used to eating certain foods, it’s the mind too. Bringing new foods or more food back into their diet is stressful and this stress impacts on digestion.

This is probably unavoidable. While these clients can rationalise that food is just food and it’s not a threat to their safety, during the moment of eating it can sure feel scary.

But through exposure to these foods again and again in an effort to normalise them, the stress recedes and digestion improves.

I’ve said many times that how you think about what you eat is just as important as what you eat. But there’s a difference between knowing this intellectually and actually living it, and typically it takes time to get there.

Reintroducing new foods can be a challenge. Especially when it feels like your body is conspiring with your disordered thoughts and proving that you’re unable to digest those fear foods. But typically with enough exposures and time for your mind to get onboard, digestion will improve.

Getting Help On Your Recovery Journey

I’m a leading expert and advocate for full recovery. I’ve been working with clients for over 15 years and understand what needs to happen to recover.

I truly believe that you can reach a place where the eating disorder is a thing of the past and I want to help you get there. If you want to fully recover and drastically increase the quality of your life, I’d love to help.

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